Corn

A major under-utilized low allergenicity protein
protein nutrition
allergenicity
flavor
functionality
cost
crop supply
●= excellent ●= good ●= fair ●= low ●= poor

Dry composition

sourcing

  • 92% US corn is GM
  • Corn gluten meal has 60-71% protein, byproduct of starch production
  • Corn gluten meal = zein + glutelin
  • Mainly sold for feed or as zein for technical properties

nutrition

  • PDCAAS 0.37
  • Limiting AA: lysine & tryptophan
  • Digestibility enhanced by enzyme hydrolysis
  • Antinutritive tannins

properties

  • Zein: Very low solubility, can form fibers, films, enteric coatings

applications

  • Zein: encapsulation, edible coatings (nuts, candy), bakery glaze