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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 #171507

Title: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ZEIN BASED ARTICLES

Author
item Selling, Gordon
item Sessa, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2005
Publication Date: 3/12/2005
Citation: Selling, G.W., Sessa, D.J. 2005. Factors that influence physical properties of zein based articles[abstract]. American Chemical Society. p.124.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Developing new uses for zein, the dominant corn protein, is very important to improve the economics of the bio-ethanol industry. One of the main deficiencies that zein based articles have is the impact water has on physical properties. Significant efforts are being put forth on reducing the impact of moisture by chemically modifying zein and then evaluating the physical properties of molded articles or ribbons at various relative humidities. There is lacking a clear understanding on how various factors impact the physical properties of zein based articles. Such factors include: compression molding conditions (temperature, time, pressure, sample thickness), zein composition (%protein, %fat), zein treatments (mixing time during blending) and the presence of hydrophobic or hydrophilic additives. Obtaining this information will improve the likelihood of developing new uses of zein by having a clearer picture of what factors impact the physical properties of zein.