Method and system for corn fractionation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process for fractionation of corn, the process comprising:
- preparing the corn for extraction to obtain prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed;
extracting zein from the prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed with a solvent to provide an extracted zein-solvent mixture, wherein the solvent comprises at least one of an alcohol, an ethanol, and a solution of at least one of an alcohol or ethanol combined with water;
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; and
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
33 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A process for fractionation of corn, the process comprising:
-
preparing the corn for extraction to obtain prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed; extracting zein from the prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed with a solvent to provide an extracted zein-solvent mixture, wherein the solvent comprises at least one of an alcohol, an ethanol, and a solution of at least one of an alcohol or ethanol combined with water; 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; and 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)
-
Specification