Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most relevant and cultivated cereals. During the processing of corn, especially in obtaining edible oil, large quantities of by-products are generated, called corn germ oil processing by-products. In this sense, this chapter provides…
How is corn oil produced?
The dried germ contains about 50% oil, in which the oil constitutes about 85% of the total amount of oil present in the corn. The oil is produced by first expelling the germ and then extracting the expeller cake with n -hexane. Global annual corn production is 700 million tonnes but corn oil production is only 400 000 tonnes.
Why are different compositions verified for corn germ oil processing by-products?
Different compositions are verified for corn germ oil processing by-products, mainly due to the diversity of extraction processes to which the corn is submitted.
How is corn germ extracted from starch?
During the wet milling process, the germ is isolated from the starch using cyclone separators, washed, and dried. The dried germ contains about 50% oil, in which the oil constitutes about 85% of the total amount of oil present in the corn. The oil is produced by first expelling the germ and then extracting the expeller cake with n -hexane.