An improved aqueous extraction method has been established for extraction of oil from corn germs. This method primarily included steam explosion pretreatment and aqueous ethanol extraction. Process variables such as steam pressure, resident time, particle size and ethanol concentration were investigated.
What is corn germ?
Corn germ is a substantial byproduct of the wet milling and alcohol industry of corn. Corn germ (dry) contains 35–56 % oil, with linoleic acid (C18:2) being the predominant fatty acid (49–61.9 %) and the highest level of tocopherol and phytosterol amongst all vegetable oils, which is a cost-effective resource for healthy nutritious oil.
Can aqueous ethanol extract corn germ oil?
This result proved the preponderance of aqueous ethanol method again. In this study, an efficient and eco-friendly extraction process was developed by the aqueous ethanol extraction with steam explosion pretreatment for obtaining corn germ oil.
How is corn oil made?
The germs, containing about 85 percent of corn’s oil, are pumped onto screens and washed repeatedly to remove any starch left in the mixture. A combination of mechanical and solvent processes extracts the oil from the germ. The oil is then refined and filtered into finished corn oil.