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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236486

Title: Industrial extraction and utilization of zein

Author
item Selling, Gordon

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2009
Publication Date: 6/19/2009
Citation: Selling, G.W. 2009. Industrial extraction and utilization of zein. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Through improved isolation techniques and new chemical modifications of zein, a potentially major co-product bio-ethanol industry, the economics of wet and dry-mill ethanol plants will be improved. While traditionally ethanol has been used to extract zein from corn gluten meal, it has been found that other low molecular weight alcohols have a significant impact on the ability to remove zein from corn-gluten meal. These alcohol methods will be compared with using acetic acid as the extracting solvent. Improved utilization of zein has been accomplished through cross-linking with glyoxal, glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde. Films and fibers have been produced using zein modified with these reagents. It has been found that not only are physical properties improved with this modification, but resistance to dissolution by standard zein solvents is also dramatically improved.