Patent ID: 8344107
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: A23K,A23L,C08B,C11B

Abstract:
1. A process for fractionation of corn, the process comprising the steps of: preparing the corn for extraction to obtain prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed; extracting the oil from the prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed with a first solvent to provide an extracted corn-solvent mixture, wherein the first solvent comprises at least one of a hydrocarbon, an alcohol and a combination of at least one of an alcohol with water; separating the extracted corn-solvent mixture into at least a stream including an extract comprising the oil and first solvent, and another stream comprising de-oiled corn solids and adsorbed first solvent; separating the first solvent from the oil in the extract by membrane processing the extract; extracting zein from the de-oiled corn solids with a second solvent to provide a de-oiled corn solids-second solvent mixture; separating the de-oiled corn solids-second solvent mixture into at least a stream comprising a second extract including the zein and second solvent, and another stream comprising de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed second solvent; separating zein from the second solvent by membrane processing the second extract; desolventizing the de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids to remove the adsorbed second solvent; resuspending said desolventized, de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids in water; and separating one or more of the fiber, starch, and protein from the resuspended desolventized, de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids to produce one or more corn products.