Novel Approach of Corn Fiber Utilization

Abstract

The corn wet milling process produces a 10% (w/w of the processed corn) byproduct called corn fiber, which is utilized worldwide as a low-value feedstock for cattle. The aim of this study was to find a higher value use of corn fiber. The main fractions of corn fiber are: 20% starch, 40% hemicellulose, 14% cellulose, and 14% protein. Extraction of the highly valuable, cholesterol-lowering corn fiber oil is not feasible owing to its low (2% w/w) concentration in the fiber. The developed technology is based on simple and inexpensive procedures, like washing with hot water, dilute acid hydrolysis at 120 degrees C, enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, screening, drying, and extraction. The main fractions are sharply separated in the order of starch, hemicellulose, cellulose, lipoprotein, and lignin). The lipoprotein fraction adds up to 10% of the original dry corn fiber, and contains 45% corn fiber oil, thus yielding more oil than direct extraction of the fiber. It is concluded that the defined method makes the extraction of the corn fiber oil economically feasible. The fractionation process also significantly increases the yield of cholesterol-lowering substances (sterols and sterolesters). At the same time clear and utilizable fractions of monosaccharides, protein, and lignin are produced.

Investigation of selective arabinose release from corn fibre by acid hydrolysis under mild conditions

“…Separation of corn fibre hemicellulose after acidic treatment under mild conditions has been reported in several studies. 11,28 Production of arabinose-rich and xylose-rich liquid fractions separately could result in more effective sugar utilization in the biorefinery process.…”

“…1,2,11,20 Corn fibre is utilized mainly as low-value animal feed, or solid fuel in pelletized form, however, it is a promising raw material for producing value-added products. 21 -23 The main fields of research concerning corn fibre utilization are the production of bioethanol 6,24 and food additives like cellulosic fibre gel, 25 corn fibre gum, 26 xylo-oligosaccharide prebiotics, 27 corn fibre oil, 28 ferulic acid, 29 xylitol 30 -32 and vanillin. 33 Moreover, considering the high arabinose content of the corn fibre hemicellulose, corn fibre could be a raw material for arabinose production.…”

Corn Fiber: Structure, Composition, and Response to Enzymes for Fermentable Sugars and Coproducts

“…In addition to potential fermentable carbohydrates in corn fiber, research has focused on other high-value coproducts, such as corn fiber oil to lower cholesterol [4,5]. In addition, it is well established that grasses, and particularly warm-season species such as corn, have high levels of aromatic compounds such as ester-linked p-coumaric (p-CA) and ferulic (FA) acids within the cell walls [6,7] that also could serve as value-added coproducts.…”