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Title: ADHESIVE PROPERTIES OF CORN ZEIN FORMULATION ON GLASS SURFACES

Author
item Parris, Nicholas
item Dickey, Leland

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2003
Publication Date: 4/24/2003
Citation: J.Agric. Food Chem. Vol. 51, No. 13, 2003

Interpretive Summary: To support expansion of the corn ethanol process, profitable markets must be identified for new non-starch co-products derived from corn. Adhesive properties of commercial corn proteins (zein)and an inexpensive zein-lipid mixture, isolated from dry-milled corn, on glass were investigated. In many cases their adhesive strength was comparable or superior to soy protein on wood. Adhesive strength of commercial zein to glass was greater at 29% than at 52% relative humidity (RH) and bonded zein isolate samples were less sensitive to changes in RH. Formulations that require the least amount of ethanol (35-42%) were obtained by adjusting the acidity with a volatile acid or base. These formulations completely bonded to the glass panels at low sample concentrations. This research demonstrates that corn proteins can be used as an adhesive for glass and probably most polymeric materials. Since it is a byproduct prepared from renewable agricultural resources, it is an attractive alternative to synthetic adhesives and sealants.

Technical Abstract: Adhesive properties of commercial zein proteins and an inexpensive zein-lipid mixture, isolated from dry-milled corn, on glass were investigated. A method was developed for uniformly preparing bonded glass panels and for measuring the amount of pull required to separate the panels. Adhesive strength of commercial zein to glass was greater at 29% than at 52% RH. Bonded samples prepared from zein isolates were less sensitive to changes in RH. Bonds using commercial zein formulations containing plasticizer reached a maximum strength at 10% poly(propylene glycol) regardless of RH. Formulations that required the least amount of ethanol (35-42%) were obtained by adjusting its pH to 3 or 10 with a volatile acid or base. These formulations completely bonded to the glass panels at low sample concentrations as estimated by 100% cohesive failure and exhibited lower Young's Modulus values than most of the other bonding materials tested.