METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CORN FRACTIONATION
First Claim
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1. A process for fractionation of corn, the process comprising:
- preparing the corn for extraction;
extracting zein from the prepared corn with a solvent to provide an extracted zein-solvent mixture;
separating the extracted zein-solvent mixture into at least a stream including an extract comprising the zein and solvent, and another stream comprising de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed solvent;
separating zein from the solvent in the extract by membrane processing the extract;
desolventizing the de-zeined corn solids to remove the adsorbed solvent;
resuspending said desolventized, de-zeined corn solids in water;
separating one or more of the fiber, starch, and protein from the resuspended desolventized, de-zeined corn solids to produce one or more corn products.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products. Zein is extracted from corn or corn products or by-products with a solvent. The corn-solvent mixture is separated into streams, one of which preferably includes an extract containing at least zein and solvent, and another that contains de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed solvent. The solvent is separated from the zein, and the de-zeined, desolventized corn solids are processed to provide one or more corn products.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A process for fractionation of corn, the process comprising:
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preparing the corn for extraction; extracting zein from the prepared corn with a solvent to provide an extracted zein-solvent mixture; separating the extracted zein-solvent mixture into at least a stream including an extract comprising the zein and solvent, and another stream comprising de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed solvent; separating zein from the solvent in the extract by membrane processing the extract; desolventizing the de-zeined corn solids to remove the adsorbed solvent; resuspending said desolventized, de-zeined corn solids in water; separating one or more of the fiber, starch, and protein from the resuspended desolventized, de-zeined corn solids to produce one or more corn products. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification