# Patent

## Title
Formulation for corn oil recovery and method of use thereof

## Abstract

Provided is a method for recovering oil from corn to ethanol production, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising (i) a compound of formula (I), in which R1-R3 are defined herein, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide to a corn-based product from an ethanol production process. Also provided is a formulation effective for corn oil recovery comprising (i) a mixture of ethoxylated C14-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide.

## Background
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Corn oil has gained considerable momentum for use as a biodiesel. Corn oil also is used extensively in animal (e.g., poultry, swine, and cattle) feed. Thus the ability to obtain oil as part of the ethanol recovery process from corn is more important than ever. For every bushel of corn, there is approximately 1.5 pound of corn oil available for extraction.
To obtain ethanol and oil, a corn kernel typically undergoes fractionation to separate the various parts of the kernel: endosperm, germ, and the outer skin known as bran. To produce ethanol, starch contained in the endosperm must be fermented, whereas the corn's germ contains about 85% of the kernel's oil. Corn oil typically is obtained by pressing fractionated corn particles and extracting the oil with a solvent, such as hexane. To isolate the corn oil, the solvent is evaporated, recovered, and recycled. However, this method can be undesirable with respect to the use of organic solvent and the percent oil recovery is not very high.
Thus there remains a need to improve corn processing to improve the oil yield of the process and/or avoid the use of organic solvent.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method for recovering oil from corn to ethanol production by applying a formulation comprising
(i) a compound of formula (I),




wherein

R1 is a fatty acid residue,
R2 and R3 are the same or different and each is a polyalkoxy group or —C(O)R1, provided that at least one of R2 and R3 is a polyalkoxy group,
(ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and
(iii) a metal oxide
to a corn-based product from an ethanol production process.
The invention further provides a formulation comprising (i) a mixture of ethoxylated C8-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method comprising the step of contacting a formulation to a corn-based product from the ethanol production process to improve the separation of corn oil from at least one process stream (e.g., whole stillage and/or, thin stillage and/or syrup) generated as a by-product in corn to ethanol production. The process involves extraction of oil from milled corn and residues from the fermentation step, including thick stillage, distillers wet grain, distillers dry grain and distillers dry grains, with solubles. The method can be used in either a wet milling process or a dry milling process for ethanol production. Preferably the method is employed in a dry-milling process.
In particular, the invention provides a process for extracting corn oil from corn in an ethanol production process by obtaining a corn-based product from the ethanol production process and applying a formulation comprising
(i) a compound of formula (I),




wherein

R1 is a fatty acid residue,
R2 and R3 are the same or different and each is a polyalkoxy group or —C(O)R1, provided that at least one of R2 and R3 is a polyalkoxy group,
(ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and
(iii) a metal oxide
to the corn-based product from an ethanol production process. The applying step can take place by any suitable method, including stirring (e.g., mechanical stirring), shearing, shaking, static mixing, whisking, mashing, vibrating, circulating, flowing, boiling, spraying, or any combination thereof.
Typically the combined mixture of the corn-based product and formulation are heated during the applying step. The temperature should be sufficient to facilitate the recovery of oil from the corn-based product. For example, the mixture can be heated to 30-110° C. (e.g., 40-100° C., 50-100° C., 60-90° C., 70-90° C., 80-90° C.). In some embodiments, the mixture is heated to about 90° C., about 85° C., about 80° C., or about 75° C. Preferably, the mixture is heated to about 85° C.
The applying step can take place over any suitable time period that is appropriate for maximizing the recovery of corn oil. Typically, the applying step will be at least 1 minute (e.g., at least 2 minutes, at least 3 minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 8 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 15 minutes), but generally less than 120 minutes (e.g., less than 90 minutes, less than 75 minutes, less than 60 minutes, less than 45 minutes, less than 30 minutes, less than 20 minutes, less than 15 minutes, less than 12 minutes, less than 10 minutes, less than 8 minutes, less than 5 minutes). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the length of time can be used in any combination to describe the range of the second temperature, or can be used singly to describe an open-ended range.
After the formulation has been applied to the corn-based product, the corn oil can be quantified, isolated, and/or purified by any suitable technique (e.g., centrifugation, physical extraction, solvent extraction, super critical fluid extraction, filtration, dissolution, fractionation, or any combination of these techniques).
The corn can be any type of corn that undergoes processing to obtain ethanol and/or oil. For example, the corn can be dent corn (also known as field corn), sweet corn, flint corn, popcorn, waxy corn (also known as maize), high oil corn, or hybrids thereof. Typically the corn will be dent corn.
In a typical dry milling process, corn oil passes through the fermentation and distillation processes and can be found in the thick (whole) stillage product, which is typically further separated into thin stillage and wet grains (wet cake) The thin stillage is processed to concentrate the composition into syrup. At this stage of the process, about half of the oil is in the distillers wet grain (DWG) and the other half is found in the syrup. The concentrated syrup can be processed to separate the oil from the syrup; the remaining syrup can be combined with the distillers wet grain (DWG) and dried to form dry distillers grain (DDG). The method can be performed at any suitable point of the ethanol production process, including after the corn has been milled (e.g., before fermentation), after thick stillage has been formed, after thin stillage has been formed, after distillers wet grains (DWG) (wet cake) have been formed, and/or after distillers dry grains with solubles (DDGS) have been formed. As it will be appreciated, the method can be performed at one point of the ethanol production process or at multiple points of the ethanol production process. Moreover, if necessary, the method can be repeated one or more times to increase the percent recovery of oil from a desired corn-based product.
In view of the flexibility of the method, the corn-based product can be in one or more forms. For example, the corn-based product can be milled corn, thick stillage, thin stillage, syrup, distillers wet grain (DWG), distillers dry grain (DDG), distillers dry grains with soluble (DDGS), or any combination thereof. In an aspect, the formulation is applied to a thick (whole) stillage, thin stillage, or syrup corn-based product. Preferably, the corn-based product is thin stillage.
The method described herein generally provides an increase in percent corn oil recovery relative to the use of no formulation. More specifically, the percent corn oil recovery is increased when the formulation is applied to the corn-based product compared to when no formulation and/or additive is applied to the same corn-based product. In some aspects, the percent corn oil recovery is at least 5% or more (e.g., at least 5.5% or more, at least 6% or more, at least 6.5% or more, at least 7% or more).
In the formulation to be applied to the corn-based product, the compound of formula (I) is an alkoxylated glycerine ester (e.g., ethoxylated mono- or diglyceride), such as alkoxylated glycerine esters derived from one or more fatty acid residues.
In the compound of formula (I), R1 and optionally one of R2 and R3 comprise a fatty acid residue that can be saturated or unsaturated and either straight chain or branched. Fatty acids typically have an even number of carbon atoms and can range from 4 to 28 carbons. If the fatty acid residue is unsaturated, the double bond(s) can have either a cis or trans configuration. Suitable fatty acid residues include residues of butyric acid, caprylic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linoeladic acid, linolenic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, sapienic acid, myristic acid, myristoleic acid, lauric acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, erucic acid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the fatty acid residue is a residue of oleic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl C7-22 chain (e.g., a C8-22 chain, a C10-20 chain, a C12-18 chain, or a C14-18 chain). In other words, R1 preferably comprises at least 7 carbon atoms (e.g., at least 8 carbon atoms, at least 10 carbon atoms, at least 12 carbon atoms, at least 14 carbon atoms, at least 16 carbon atoms, at least 18 carbon atoms, or at least 20 carbon atoms) and less than 22 carbon atoms (e.g., less than 20 carbon atoms, less than 18 carbon atoms, less than 16 carbon atoms, less than 14 carbon atoms, less than 12 carbon atoms, less than 10 carbon atoms, or less than 8 carbon atoms). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the number of carbons in the alkyl chain of R1 can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range.
R2 and R3 are the same or different and each is a polyalkoxy group or —C(O)R1, provided that at least one of R2 and R3 is a polyalkoxy group. In some embodiments, both R2 and R3 are a polyalkoxy group. In other embodiments, one of R2 and R3 is —C(O)R1 and the other is a polyalkoxy group. When R2 and/or R3 is —C(O)R1, the definition of R1 is the same as set forth above. While the saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl chain of R1 and either R2 or R3 can be identical, the alkyl chains of these substituents do not necessarily need to be the same. In a preferred embodiment, the alkyl chains of R1 and either R2 or R3 are different.
The polyalkoxy group can be based on any suitable carbon range, e.g., C2-6, C2-5, C2-4, C2-3, C3, or C2. For example, the polyalkoxy group can be polyethoxy (—(CH2CH2O)nH), polypropoxy (e.g., —(CH2CH(CH3)O)nH or —(CH(CH3)CH2O)nH), or a combination thereof, in which n is 2-60 (e.g., n is at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, at least 55, or about 60 and/or n is less than 60, less than 55, less than 50, less than 45, less than 40, less than 35, less than 30, less than 25, less than 20, less than 15, less than 10, or less than 5). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to n can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range. In an embodiment, the polyalkoxy group is a polyethoxy group comprising up to 60 moles of ethylene oxide.
The polyalkoxy group can comprise 2-60 moles alkoxylation per compound of formula (I). For example, the polyalkoxy group can comprise at least 2 moles (e.g., at least 4 moles, at least 8 moles, at least 10 moles, at least 15 moles, at least 20 moles, at least 22 moles, at least 23 moles, at least 25 moles, at least 28 moles, at least 30 moles, at least 32 moles, at least 34 moles, at least 36 moles, at least 38 moles, at least 40 moles, at least 45 moles, at least 50 moles, at least 54 moles, at least 56 moles, or at least 58 moles) and less than 60 moles (e.g., less than 58 moles, less than 56 moles, less than 54 moles, less than 50 moles, less than 45 moles, less than 40 moles, less than 38 moles, less than 36 moles, less than 34 moles, less than 32 moles, less than 30 moles, less than 28 moles, less than 25 moles, less than 23 moles, less than 22 moles, less than 20 moles, less than 15 moles, less than 10 moles, less than 8 moles, or less than 4 moles) alkoxylation per compound of formula (I). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the moles of alkoxylation per compound of formula (I) can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range. In some aspects, the polyalkoxy group comprises 20-25 moles (e.g., 20 moles, 21 moles, 22 moles, 23 moles, 24 moles, and 25 moles) alkoxylation (e.g., ethoxylation) per compound of formula (I).
The molecular weight of the alkoxylated portion is not particularly limited. Preferably, the molecular weight of the alkoxylated (e.g., ethoxylated) portion is set so as to provide a liquid formulation comprising (i), (ii), (iii), and any optional additives. For example, the number, weight, or volume average molecular weight can be at least about 200 g/mol (e.g., at least about 300 g/mol, at least about 400 g/mol, at least about 500 g/mol, at least about 800 g/mol, at least about 1,000 g/mol, at least about 1,500 g/mol, at least about 2,000 g/mol) and/or up to about 10,000 g/mol (e.g., up to about 9,000 g/mol, up to about 8,000 g/mol, up to about 7,000 g/mol, up to about 6,000 g/mol, up to about 5,000 g/mol, up to about 4,000 g/mol, up to about 3,000 g/mol, up to about 2,000 g/mol, or up to about 1,000 g/mol). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the number, weight, or volume average molecular weight can be used in any combination to describe the polymer molecular weight range (e.g., about 200 to about 10,000 g/mol, about 300 g/mol to about 5,000 g/mol, and about 1,000 to about 2,000 g/mol, etc.).
While the compound of formula (I) defines a single compound, in some aspects, the formulation will comprise more than one compound of formula (I) to form a mixture of compounds defined by formula (I). For example, the mixture of compounds defined by formula (I) can include ethoxylated C8-22 mono- and diglycerides (e.g., C4-22 mono- and diglycerides) or a mixture of laurate, oleate, stearate, and/or palmitate partial esters of glycerine.
The compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof can be synthesized by any suitable method or purchased commercially. For example, a compound of formula (I) can be produced by saponifying and/or transesterifying a glyceride material, such as canola oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, poppyseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, or soybean oil. Production methods of ethoxylated monoglycerides are known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,645, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Commercially available compounds of formula (I) or a mixture thereof include, e.g., LUMULSETM products (Lambent Technologies, Gurnee, Ill.) and ALDOSPERSETM products (Lonza, Allendale, NJ). Specific products include LUMULSETM POE (20) GMS K and ALDOSPERSETM MS-20 KFG.
The oil in the formulation is any suitable liquid oil. Typically the oil should be of a grade that is certified GRAS, however, not all instances require such grade. Suitable oils include a petroleum distillate (e.g., white mineral oil, pale oil, paraffinic oil, and combinations thereof), a vegetable oil (e.g., soybean oil, castor oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, and combinations thereof), or a combination thereof. Mineral oil (also known as white oil, liquid paraffin, pariffinum liquidum, liquid petroleum, and baby oil) is especially preferred.
The at least one propylene glycol ester of a fat and/or a fatty acid is a monoester, a diester, or a combination thereof. The propylene glycol ester can have the following structure based on 1,2-propanediol:




wherein R4 and R5 are the same or different and each is H, a fat, or a fatty acid, provided that at least one of R4 and R5 is a fat or fatty acid. Typically, the propylene glycol ester of a fat and/or a fatty acid is used as a mixture of at least one propylene glycol ester of a fat and at least one propylene glycol ester of a fatty acid. In addition, the propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid can include residual monoglycerides, diglycerides, and/or glycerol in addition to the at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid.

In an aspect, the fat and/or fatty acid are edible. In an embodiment, the propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid is of a grade described in 21 C.F.R. §172.856. Suitable fats include a vegetable oil (e.g., coconut oil, soybean oil, castor oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, and combinations thereof). The fatty acid residue can be saturated or unsaturated (e.g., either a cis or trans configuration), straight chain or branched, and have 4 to 28 carbons. Suitable fatty acid residues include residues of butyric acid, caprylic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linoelaidic acid, linolenic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, sapienic acid, myristic acid, myristoleic acid, lauric acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, erucic acid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and combinations thereof.
Examples of the at least one propylene glycol ester of a fat and/or fatty acid include propylene glycol isostearate, propylene glycol laurate, propylene glycol myristate, propylene glycol oleate, propylene glycol dicaprylate, propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, propylene glycol dicocoate, propylene glycol dipelargonate, propylene glycol oleate, propylene glycol dicaprate, propylene glycol diisostearate, and propylene glycol dilaurate.
The at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid can be prepared by any suitable method, including direct esterification of propylene glycol with a fatty acid or transesterification of propylene glycol with fat (e.g., an oil).
The metal oxide in the formulation is any compound comprising at least one metal atom and at least one anion of oxygen that has an oxidation state of −2. In some aspects, the metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide (including fumed silica, amorphous silica, precipitated silica, hydrophilic silica, and hydrophobic silica), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, and a combination thereof. Preferably the metal oxide is silicon dioxide.
The average particle size of the metal oxide is not particularly limited and can range from 1 nm to 10 μm. For example, the average particle size of the metal oxide can be at least 1 nm (e.g., at least 10 nm, at least 30 nm, at least 50 nm, at least 75 nm, at least 100 nm, at least 200 nm, at least 300 nm, at least 400 nm, at least 500 nm, at least 600 nm, at least 700 nm, at least 800 nm, at least 900 nm, at least 1 μm, at least 2 μm, at least 3 μm, at least 4 μm, at least 5 μm, at least 6, at least 7 μm, at least 8 μm, or at least 9 μm). The average particle size of the metal oxide typically is less than 10 μm (e.g., less than 9 μm, less than 8 μm, less than 7 μm, less than 6 μm, less than 5 μm, less than 4 μm, less than 3 μm, less than 2 μm, less than 1 μm, less than 900 nm, less than 800 nm, less than 700 nm, less than 600 nm, less than 500 nm, less than 400 nm, less than 300 nm, less than 200 nm, less than 100 nm, less than 75 nm, less than 50 nm, less than 30 nm, less than 10 nm, or less than 1 nm). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the average particle size of the metal oxide can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range.
In some embodiments, the formulation can further comprise additional components.
For example, the formulation can optionally comprise a triglyceride that corresponds to the alkoxylated mono- or diglyceride of formula (I) (e.g., the oleate ester made from canola oil). The upper limit of the amount of triglyceride that can be present is not particularly limited, but can be up to 5 wt % (e.g., less than 4.5 wt %, less than 4 wt %, less than 3.5 wt %, less than 3 wt %, less than 2.5 wt %, less than 2 wt %, less than 1.5 wt %, less than 1 wt %, or less than 0.5 wt %).
For example, the formulation can optionally comprise glycerine in an amount up to 10 wt % (e.g., less than 9 wt %, less than 8 wt %, less than 7 wt %, less than 6 wt %, less than 5 wt %, less than 4 wt %, less than 3 wt %, less than 2 wt %, or less than 1 wt %).
The formulation can also optionally comprise one or more glycerine esters (e.g., a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, or a combination thereof) in an amount up to 5 wt % (e.g., less than 4.5 wt %, less than 4 wt %, less than 3.5 wt %, less than 3 wt %, less than 2.5 wt %, less than 2 wt %, less than 1.5 wt %, less than 1 wt %, or less than 0.5 wt %). The fatty acid residues that form the glycerine ester are as described herein.
The formulation can optionally comprise a diol, such as propylene glycol or ethylene glycol, in an amount up to 7 wt % (e.g., less than 6 wt %, less than 5 wt %, less than 4 wt %, less than 3 wt %, less than 2 wt %, less than 1 wt %, or less than 0.5 wt %).
In one aspect of the invention, the formulation is substantially devoid of a component derived from a sorbitol, a sorbitan, or isosorbide. As used herein, “substantially devoid of a component derived from a sorbitol, a sorbitan, or isosorbide” refers to a formulation that contains less than about 5 wt % of a component derived from a sorbitol, a sorbitan, or isosorbide. For example, less than about 4 wt %, less than about 3 wt %, less than about 2 wt %, less than about 1 wt %, less than about 0.5 wt %, or less than about 0.1 wt % by weight of a component derived from a sorbitol, a sorbitan, or isosorbide is present in the formulation. In some embodiments, the formulation does not comprise a component derived from a sorbitol, a sorbitan, or isosorbide. In some embodiments, the formulation does not comprise a polysorbate (e.g., polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 65, or polysorbate 80), a sorbitan (e.g., sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, or sorbitan monostearate), or sorbitol.
The formulation can comprise (i) a compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of a fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide in any amounts so long as the resulting formulation is effective for recovering corn oil from a corn-based product from an ethanol production process. The only caveat is that the amounts of compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof, oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of a fat and/or a fatty acid, and metal oxide add up to 100 wt %. If the formulation includes one or more additional components, such as an alkoxylated triglyceride, glycerol, a diol, and/or one or more glycerine esters, the amounts of (i), (ii), (iii), and the one or more additional components add up to 100 wt %.
The compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof can be present in any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the compound or mixture thereof is present in an amount of about 20-75 wt %. Thus, the compound or mixture thereof is present in an amount of at least 20 wt % (e.g., at least 25 wt %, at least about 30 wt %, at least about 35 wt %, at least about 40 wt %, at least about 45 wt %, at least about 50 wt %, at least about 55 wt %, at least about 60 wt %, at least about 65 wt %, or at least 70 wt %) and less than 75 wt % (e.g., less than about 70 wt %, less than about 65 wt %, less than about 60 wt %, less than about 55 wt %, less than about 50 wt %, less than about 45 wt %, less than about 40 wt %, less than about 35 wt %, or less than about 30 wt %). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the amount of a compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range. For example, the composition can comprise about 25-70 wt %, about 35-55 wt %, about 40-55 wt %, about 40-50 wt %, about 40-65 wt %, or about 50 wt % of a compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof.
The oil or a combination of oils can be present in the composition in any suitable amount, such as about 25-74 wt %. Thus, the total amount of oil is present in an amount of at least 25 wt % (e.g., at least about 30 wt %, at least about 35 wt %, at least about 40 wt %, at least about 45 wt %, at least about 50 wt %, at least about 55 wt %, at least about 60 wt %, at least about 65 wt %, or at least about 70 wt %) and less than 74 wt % (e.g., less than about 70 wt %, less than about 65 wt %, less than about 60 wt %, less than about 55 wt %, less than about 50 wt %, less than about 45 wt %, less than about 40 wt %, less than about 35 wt %, or less than about 30 wt %). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the amount of oil can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range. For example, the composition can comprise about 30-70 wt %, about 25-63 wt %, about 25-61 wt %, about 30-60 wt %, about 41-63 wt %, about 43-61 wt %, about 45-55 wt %, about 45-50 wt %, or about 46-48 wt % of an oil or a combination of oils.
The propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid or a combination of propylene glycol ester of fats and fatty acids can be present in the composition in any suitable amount, such as about 25-74 wt %. Thus, the total amount of the propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid is present in an amount of at least 25 wt % (e.g., at least about 30 wt %, at least about 35 wt %, at least about 40 wt %, at least about 45 wt %, at least about 50 wt %, at least about 55 wt %, at least about 60 wt %, at least about 65 wt %, or at least about 70 wt %) and less than 74 wt % (e.g., less than about 70 wt %, less than about 65 wt %, less than about 60 wt %, less than about 55 wt %, less than about 50 wt %, less than about 45 wt %, less than about 40 wt %, less than about 35 wt %, or less than about 30 wt %). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the amount of the propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range. For example, the composition can comprise about 30-70 wt %, about 25-63 wt %, about 25-61 wt %, about 30-60 wt %, about 41-63 wt %, about 43-61 wt %, about 45-55 wt %, about 45-50 wt %, or about 46-48 wt % of at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid.
The metal oxide or a combination thereof can be present in the composition in any suitable amount, such as about 1-5 wt %. Thus, the total amount of metal oxide is present in an amount of at least 1 wt % (e.g., at least about 1.5 wt %, at least about 2 wt %, at least about 2.5 wt %, at least about 3 wt %, at least about 3.5 wt %, at least about 4 wt %, or at least about 4.5 wt %) and less than 5 wt % (e.g., less than about 4.5 wt %, less than about 4 wt %, less than about 3.5 wt %, less than about 3 wt %, less than about 2.5 wt %, less than about 2 wt %, less than about 1.5 wt %, or less than about 1 wt %). These suggested lower and upper limits with respect to the amount of metal oxide can be used in any combination to define a close-ended range. For example, the composition can comprise about 2-4 wt %, 2-3 wt %, about 2 wt %, or about 3 wt % of metal oxide or a combination thereof.
The present invention is directed to a formulation comprising (i) a mixture of compounds defined by formula (I) comprising ethoxylated C8-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) an oil and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide. The oil, propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and metal oxide are as described herein. In an aspect, this formulation comprises:
50 wt % of (i), 46-48 wt % of (ii), and 2-4 wt % of (iii),
63 wt % of (i), 35 wt % of (ii), and 2 wt % of (iii),
55 wt % of (i), 43 wt % of (ii), and 2 wt % of (iii),
54 wt % of (i), 43 wt % of (ii), and 3 wt % of (iii),
55 wt % of (i), 43 wt % of (ii), and 2 wt % of (iii),
50 wt % of (i), 48 wt % of (ii), and 2 wt % of (iii),
50 wt % of (i), 47 wt % of (ii), and 3 wt % of (iii)
40 wt % of (i), 58 wt % of (ii), and 2 wt % of (iii), or
40 wt % of (i), 57 wt % of (ii), and 3 wt % of (iii).
In any of the embodiments of this formulation, the oil can be mineral oil or the metal oxide can be silicon dioxide or a combination of both features.
The formulations described herein can be prepared by any suitable method. In general, the metal oxide (e.g., silicon dioxide) is pre-mixed in a portion of the oil (e.g., mineral oil) and/or at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid. The compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof is then blended with the metal oxide/oil (or propylene glycol ester) premix, and the remaining portion of oil (or propylene glycol ester). The resulting composition is mixed well, optionally heated (e.g., up to 150° C., up to 130° C., up to 120° C., up to 110° C., up to 100° C., etc.), processed through a homogenizer to provide a uniform (or nearly uniform) particle size, and filtered.
In a preferred embodiment, the formulation is a liquid at room temperature. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the formulation should not be a gel, solid, or semi-solid at room temperature.
The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.
Example 1
This example demonstrates a method of corn oil recovery from a corn-based product using an ethanol production process in an embodiment of the invention.
On an analytical balance, 0.05 to 0.07 g of a formulation (“defoamer”) (0.05 wt % of the total sample) was weighed into a 250 ml beaker. The appropriate amount of corn syrup was added, which ranged from 100 g for 0.05 g of defoamer to 140 g for 0.07 g of defoamer. A stir bar was added, and the defoamer/corn syrup mixture was placed on a hot plate. The mixture was agitated sufficiently to form a vortex, heated to 85° C., and held at that temperature for 5 minutes.
After heating for 5 minutes, the beaker was removed and the contents were poured into a small centrifuge tube with the defoamer/corn oil syrup mixture to about the top of the tube. The tube was not overfilled, so that the top of the sample was viewable in the centrifuge tube when the cap of the centrifuge tube is on. The tube was centrifuged for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, the tube was removed from the centrifuge and the contents were left undisturbed for 1 hour.
The total height (mm) of the sample (corn oil portion and the rest of the sample) and the total height (mm) of just the corn oil portion of the sample were measured and recorded. The corn oil portion was measured as a height (mm) and as a % recovery. The results are set forth in the following Tables 1-13.












TABLE 1





Corn Oil 


CEA2
CEA5
CEA 7


Sample 4490
Blank
Blank
8330
8331
8332




















Polysorbate 80



40
43.5


Canola Oil


34




Hydrophobic Silica


6
6
6.5


Ethoxylated mono &


45
45
45


diglycerides







Ethoxylated stearic acid



4



Polysorbate 65


5




Mono & diglycerides, 


5
5
5


liquid, low mono







Propylene Glycol


5




Centrifuge, Large







Amount Defoamer
0
0
0.0632
0.068
0.0548


Amount Corn Syrup
125
120
126.4
136
109.6


Total Height (mm)
92
97
98
100
102


Height Corn Oil (mm)
2
4
6
7
7


% Corn Oil
2.51
4.12
6.12
7
6.86


Centrifuge, Small







Total Height (mm)
108
105
107
106
108


Height Corn Oil (mm) 
2
3
6
6
6.5


% Corn Oil 
1.85
2.86
5.61
5.66
6.02




























TABLE 2





Corn Oil Sample 4813
Blank
9493 R4
9493 R5
9493 R6
9494 R7
9494 R8
9494 R9
9493 R4
9493 R5
9493 R6
9494 R7
9494 R8







Canola Oil




29.8
29.8




29.8
29.8


White mineral Oil














Technical White Oil














Hydrophobic Silica

3.5
3.5
3.5
5.2
5.2
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
5.2
5.2


Ethoxylated mono &

5
5
5
5
30
55
5
5
5
5
30


diglycerides














Silicon Dioxide














Mono & diglycerides,

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5


liquid, low mono














Polyglycerol oleate

25

25
25


25

25
25



Decaglycerol decaoleate














Polyglycerol oleate

56.5
81.5
56.5
25
25
31.5
56.5
81.5
56.5
25
25


transester














Propylene Glycol

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5


Sorbitol, 70% or 80%














Sorbitan monolaurate














Glycerine














Ethoxylated Stearic Acid














Amount Defoamer
0
0.0696
0.0632
0.0704
0.0565
0.0613
0.0596
0.0675
0.0599
0.0605
0.0657
0.0597


Amount Corn Syrup
130
139.2
126.4
140.8
113
122.6
119.2
135
119.8
121
131.4
119.4


Centrifuge, Small














Total Height (mm)
106
106
107
107
107
108
107
105
105
106
108
108


Height Corn Oil (mm)
5
6
7
7
7.5
7.5
7
7
7
7
7.5
7


% Corn Oil
4.72
5.66
6.54
6.54
7.01
6.94
6.54
6.67
6.67
6.6
6.94
648




























TABLE 3





Corn Oil Sample 4813
9494 R9
Blank
9618 R1
9618 R3
9577 R1
9577 R2
9577 R3
9577 R4
9578 R5
9578 R6
9578 R7
9578 R8







Canola Oil














White mineral Oil




50

40
40
30
27
27



Technical White Oil





50





30


Hydrophobic Silica
3.5





13


13




Ethoxylated mono &
55

100
50
50
50
47
47
30
30
30
30


diglycerides














Silicon Dioxide







13


13



Mono & diglycerides,
5







10
10
10
10


liquid, low mono














Polyglycerol oleate














Decaglycerol decaoleate














Polyglycerol oleate transester
31.5


50




30
20
20
30


Propylene Glycol
5













Sorbitol, 70% or 80%














Sorbitan monolaurate














Glycerine














Ethoxylated Stearic Acid














Amount Defoamer
0.0809
0
0.0614
0.0656
0.077
0.0646
0.0595
0.0832
0.0726
0.0697
0.0693
0.0546


Amount Corn Syrup
161.8
130
122.8
131.2
154
129.2
119
166.4
145.2
139.4
138.6
109.2


Centrifuge, Small














Total Height (mm)
107
107
107
103
105
106
106
103
104
106
104
105


Height Corn Oil (mm)
7
4
4
4.5
4
5
7
6.5
6
6.5
7
6


% Corn Oil
6.54
3.74
3.74
4.37
3.81
4.72
6.6
6.31
5.77
6.13
6.73
5.71




























TABLE 4






9579
9577
9577
9578
9578


9630
9630
9581
9631
9631


Corn Oil Sample 4813
R10 
R3
R4
R6
R7
R11
R12
R16
R18
R20
R22
R24



























Canola Oil














While mineral Oil

40
40
27
27




32.8




Technical White Oil





27
27

30


32.2


Hydrophobic Silica

13

13





7.2




Ethoxylated mono &
25
47
47
30
30
20
20
87
57
20
93.5
61.3


diglycerides














Silicon Dioxide


13

13
13
13
13
13

6.5
6.5


Mono & diglycerides,
5


10
10
10
10







liquid, low mono














Polyglycerol oleate














Decaglycerol decaoleate














Polyglycerol oleale



20
20
30








transester














Propylene Glycol






10


5




Sorbitol, 70% or 80%
40








35




Sorbitan monolaurate
25





20







Glycerine
5













Ethoxylated Stearic Acid














Amount Defoamer
0.0599
0.0731
0.065
0.06
0.061
0.0725
0.0746
0.078
0.0698
0.0563
0.0586
0.0585


Amount Corn Syrup
119.8
146.2
130
120
122
145
149.2
156
139.6
112.6
117.2
117


Centrifuge, Small














Height (mm)
105
105
103
105
105
103
105
104
103
104
105
105


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6
7
7
7
7
6
7
7
6
7
7
6.5


% Corn Oil
5.71
6.67
6.8
6.67
6.67
5.83
6.67
6.73
5.83
6.73
6.67
6.19




























TABLE 5







9632
9632
9631
9631
9585
9585
9633
9633
9633
9633
9639


Corn Oil Sample 4813
Blank
R26
R28
R22
R24
R29
R30
R31
R32
R31
R32
R39



























Canola Oil














White mineral Oil














Technical White Oil


33

32.2
35
35

35

35



Hydrophobic Silica














Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides

96
63
93.5
61.3
25
17
98
63
98
63
98


Silicon Dioxide

4
4
6.5
6.5
3
3
2
2
2
2
2


Mono & diglycerides, liquid, low





10
10







mono














Polyglycerol oleate














Decaglycerol decaoleate














Polyglycerol oleate transester














Propylene Glycol














Sorbitol, 70% or 80%






25







Sorbitan monolaurate





17








Glycerine














Ethoxylated Stearic Acid





10
10







Amount Defoamer
0
0.0544
0.0596
0.0587
0.0618
0.0762
0.079
0.0601
0.0667
0.0625
0.0734
0.0603


Amount Corn Syrup
120
108.8
119.2
117.4
123.6
152.4
158
120.2
123.4
125
146.8
120.6


Centrifuge, Small














Total Height (mm)
105
105
106
106
105
104
106
105
106
107
106
107


Height Corn Oil (mm)
4.5
7
7
7
7
6
6
7
7
7
6.5
7


% Corn Oil
4.29
6.67
6.6
6.6
6.67
5.77
5.66
6.67
6.6
6.54
6.13
6.54




























TABLE 6






9639
9639 
9639
9639
9639
9639
9639
9642
9642
9642
9642
9642


Corn Oil Sample 4813
R40
R41
R42
R43
R44
R45
R46
R47
R48
R49
R50
R51



























Canola Oil














White mineral Oil



43
43


58
57
53
52
43


Technical White Oil
35
43
43


48
47







Hydrophobic Silica














Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides
63
55
54
55
54
50
50
40
40
45
45
55


Silicon Dioxide
2
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2


Mono & diglycerides, liquid low














mono














Polyglycerol oleate














Decaglycerol decaoleate














Polyglycerol oleate transester














Propylene Glycol














Sorbitol, 70% or 80%














Sorbitan monolaurate














Glycerine














Ethoxylated Stearic Acid














Amount Defoamer 
0.0756
0.055
0.0543
0.0547
0.0566
0.0574
0.057
0.0649
0.094
0.0714
0.0747
0.0575


Amount Corn Syrup
141.2
110
108.6
109.4
113.2
114.8
114
129.8
128.8
142.8
149.4
115


Centrifuge, Small














Total Height (mm)
107
108
107
108
106
107
107
107
107
106
107
105


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
6


% Corn Oil
5.6
6.48
6.54
6.48
6.6
6.54
6.54
6.54
6.54
6.6
6.54
5.71




























TABLE 7






9642
9651
9651
9652
9652
9652
9652
9652
9652
9654
9654
9654


Corn Oil Sample 4813
R52
R53
R54
R55
R56
R57
R58
R59
R60
R61
R62
R63



























Canola Oil














White mineral Oil
42
40
40
47.5
42.8
47.5
46.35
45.1
42.8
47
46.5
46


Technical White Oil














Hydrophobic Silica



2.5
2.2
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.2





Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides
55
55
55
50
55
50
48.75
47.5
45
50
50
50


Silicon Dioxide
3








3
3.5
4


Mono & diglycerides, liquid, low














mono














Polyglycerol oleate


5











Decaglycerol decaoleate

5












Polyglycerol oleate transester














Propylene Glycol














Sorbitol, 70% or 80%






2.5







Sorbitan monolaurate














Glycerine







5
10





Ethoxylated Stearic Acid














Amount Defoamer
0.0549
0.0729
0.0505
0.0606
0.0623


0.0613

0.0539
0.0588
0.0762


Amount Corn Syrup
119.8
145.8
101
121.2
124.6


122.6

107.8
117.6
152.4


Centrifuge, Small














Total Height (mm)
107
106
106
107
107


108

107
107
106


Height Corn Oil (mm)
7
7
7
7
7


7

7
7
7


% Corn Oil
6.54
6.6
6.6
6.54
6.54


6.48

6.54
6.54
6.6


























TABLE 8





Corn Oil Sample 4559
Blank
CE2 8330
CE5 8331
CE7 8332
CE20 8278
CE24 8280
CE25 8280
CE26 8280
Blank
Blank

























Polysorbate 80


40
43.5
56







Canola Oil

34


29.8
29.8
29.8
29.8




Hydrophobic Silica

6
6
6.5
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.2




Polyglycerol oleate












Polyglycerol oleate, transester












Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides

45
45
45
2.5
52
54
52




Ethoxylated stearic acid


4

1.5
3
2
3




Polysorbate 65

5










Mono & diglycerides, liquid

5
5
5








Mono & diglycerides, liquid, low






4





mono












Propylene Glycol

5










Glycerine




5
5
5





Oleic Acid





5

5




Soya lecithin







5




Centrifuge, Large












Amount Defoamer
n/a
0.0622
0.0701
0.0575
0.0853
0.0629
0.067
0.0672
n/a
n/a


Amount Corn Syrup
120
124.4
140.2
115
170.6
125.8
134
134.4
125
122


Total Height (mm) 
101
99
99
99
101
98
98
98
99
99


Height Corn Oil (mm)
4
6.5
7
7
7
6
6.5
6
2.5
4


% Corn Oil
3.96
6.57
7.07
7.07
6.93
6.12
6.63
6.12
2.53
4.04


Centrifuge, Small












Total Height (mm)
109
107
106
109
108
107
107
106
107
107


Height Corn Oil (mm)
4
7
6
7
6.5
7
6
6.5
3
4


% Corn Oil
3.67
6.54
5.66
6.42
6.02
6.54
5.61
6.13
2.8
3.73


























TABLE 9






A33
A33
A34
A34
A35
A35
A36
A36
A21
A21



unmilled
milled
unmilled
milled
unmilled
milled
unmilled
milled
unmilled
milled


Corn Oil Sample 4559
8369
8369
8369
8369
8370
8370
8370
8370
8358
8358

























Polysorbate 80












Canola Oil
29.8
29.8
29.8
29.8


29.8
29.8




Hydrophobic Silica
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.2
3.5
3.5
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.2


Polyglycerol oleate


25
25








Polyglycerol oleate, transester
25
25


56.5
56.5
25
25
54.8
54.8


Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25


Ethoxylated stearic acid












Polysorbate 65
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5


Mono & diglycerides, liquid












Mono & diglycerides, liquid, low mono
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5


Propylene Glycol








5
5


Glycerine
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5




Oleic Acid












Soya lecithin












Centrifuge, Large












Amount Defoamer
0.0571
0.0633
0.0663
0.0602
0.0604
0.0717
0.057
0.0679
0.0602
0.0706


Amount Corn Syrup
114.2
126.6
132.6
120.4
120.8
143.4
114
135.8
120.4
141.2


Total Height (mm)
99
100
100
99
100
103
103
104
98
97


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6.5
6
6
6
6.5
6.5
6.5
6
6
6


% Corn Oil
6.57
6
6
6.06
5.96
6.31
6.31
5.77
6.12
6.19


Centrifuge, Small












Total Height (mm)
108
108
109
107
109
107
109
106
105
105


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6
6
6.5
6
6.5
6
6.5
6
6
6


% Corn Oil
5.55
5.55
5.96
5.61
5.96
5.61
5.96
5.66
5.71
5.71
























TABLE 10






A22
A22
A23
A23







unmilled
milled
unmilled
milled
A33
A34
A40
A47


Corn Oil Sample 4559
8358
8358
8358
8358
8380
8380
8382
8619























Polysorbate 80




65.4
60.4

39.1


Canola Oil






29.8



Hydrophobic Silica
3.5
3.5
5.2
5.2
4.6
4.6
5.2
5.9


Polyglycerol oleate






30



Polyglycerol oleate, transester
31.5
31.5
29.8
29.8



20


Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides
50
50
45
45
15
20
20
20


Ethoxylated stearic acid










Polysorbate 65
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5


Mono & diglycerides, liquid










Mono & diglycerides, liquid, low mono
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5


Propylene Glycol
5
5





5


Glycerine


10
10
5
5
5



Oleic Acid










Soya lecithin










Centrifuge, Large










Amount Defoamer
0.0744
0.0578
0.0604
0.0631
0.0777
0.0706
0.0756
0.0599


Amount Corn Syrup
148.8
115.6
120.8
126.2
155.4
141.2
151.2
119.8


Total Height (mm)
98
96
98
96
99
98
99
98


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6.5
5.5
6
6
6
6.5
7
6.5


% Corn Oil
6.63
5.73
6.12
6.25
6.06
6.63
7.07
6.32


Centrifuge, Small










Total Height (mm)
106
106
108
107
106
106
106
107


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6
5
5
5
6.5
6.5
6.5
7


% Corn Oil
5.66
4.71
4.63
4.67
6.13
6.13
6.13
6.54





















TABLE 11






9684 R88
9685 R93
9688A
9688C
9688D


Corn Oil Sample LL4885
1/14/15
1/15/15
1/20/15
1/20/15
1/20/15




















Ethoxylated mono & diglycerides
50
55
49.5
50.6
52


Hydrophilic silica
3
3
3
2.9
2.9


Mono & diglycerides, solid
2.5






Water
5
2
1
1
2


White Mineral Oil
39.5
40
46.5
45.5
43.1


Amount Defoamer
0.0569
0.0593
0.0619
0.0632
0.0602


Amount Corn Syrup
113.8
118.6
123.8
126.4
120.4


Total Height (mm)
107
106
105
106
106


Height Corn Oil (mm)
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.5


% Corn Oil
6.07
6.13
6.19
6.13
6.13


























TABLE 12






Poly-











Corn Oil
sorbate











Sample LL4967
80
9903
9920/5
9925/5
9927/4
9929/1
9929/2
9929/3
9929/4
9929/5

























Polysorbate 80
100
88.5










Mono & 

5










diglycerides,












low mono












Polyglycerol oleate







10




Oleic Acid








5



Ethoxylated 


55
55
55
55
55
50
50
50


mono &












diglycerides












Silicon dioxide,

6.5
6.75
5.25
6.75
5.25
6.75
6
5.25
6


hydrophobic












Propylene glycol 


38.25
29.75
38.25
29.75
38.25
34
29.75
34


ester of fats and












fatty acids












Propylene 



10

10


10
10


Glycol












Amount 
0.0701
0.0683
0.0618
0.0600
0.0632
0.0673
0.0653
0.0648
0.0700
0.0651


Defoamer












Amount 
140.2
136.6
123.6
120.0
126.4
134.6
130.6
129.6
140.0
130.2


Corn Syrup












Height Corn 
4.5
6.0
5.5
6.0
6.0
6.0
5.5
5.0
6.0
5.0


Oil (mm)












% Oil Recovery
4.28
5.5
5.19
5.55
5.55
5.66
5.24
4.72
5.61
4.63





















TABLE 13





Corn Oil 
Polysor-






Sample LL4967
bate 80
9951/1
9951/2
9950/1
9950/2




















Polysorbate 80
100
88.5





Mono & 

5
5




diglycerides,







low mono







Polyglycerol 







oleate







Oleic Acid



5
5


Ethoxylated 


88.5
50
50


mono &







diglycerides







Vegetable oil



29.75



Silicon 

6.5
6.5
5.25
5.25


dioxide, 







hydrophobic







Propylene 




29.75


glycol ester 







of fats and 







fatty acids







Propylene 



10
10


Glycol







Amount 
0.0700
0.0680
0.0710
0.0688
0.0599


Defoamer







Amount Corn 
140.0
136.0
142.0
137.6
119.8


Syrup







Total 
104
104
106
106
104


Height (mm)







Height Corn 
5.0
6.5
6.0
6.0
6.0


Oil (mm)







% Oil
4.81
6.25
5.66
5.66
5.76


Recovery









All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

## Claims

1. A method for recovering oil from corn in ethanol production, the method comprising applying a formulation comprising
(i) a compound of formula (I),





wherein
R1 is a fatty acid residue;
R2 and R3 are the same or different and each is a polyalkoxy group or —C(O)R1, provided that at least one of R2 and R3 is a polyalkoxy group
(ii) at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and
(iii) a metal oxide

to a corn-based product from an ethanol production process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the corn-based product is milled corn, thick stillage, thin stillage, syrup, distillers wet grain (DWG), distillers dry grain (DDG), distillers dry grains with soluble (DDGS), or any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step is performed after the corn has been milled, after thick stillage has been formed, after thin stillage has been formed, after distillers wet grains (DWG) have been formed, and/or after distillers dry grains with solubles (DDGS) have been formed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl C7-22 chain.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl C8-22 chain.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein both R2 and R3 are a polyalkoxy group.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein one of R2 and R3 is —C(O)R1 and the other is a polyalkoxy group.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polyalkoxy group is a polyethoxy group comprising 2-60 moles of ethylene oxide.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fatty acid residue is a residue of lauric acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the formulation comprises more than one compound of formula (I) to form a mixture of compounds defined by formula (I).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mixture of compounds defined by formula (I) comprises ethoxylated C8-22 mono- and diglycerides.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid is a combination of a monoester and a diester.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, and a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the metal oxide is silicon dioxide.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the formulation comprises
(i) 25-70 wt % of at least one compound of formula (I),
(ii) 25-74 wt % of at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and
(iii) 1-5 wt % of a metal oxide,

wherein the amounts of (i), (ii), and (iii) add up to 100 wt % of the total formulation.

16. A formulation comprising (i) at least 20 wt % of a mixture of ethoxylated C8-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) a liquid oil, and (iii) a metal oxide.

17. The formulation of claim 16, where in the metal oxide is silicon dioxide.

18. A formulation comprising (i) a mixture of ethoxylated C8-22 mono- and diglycerides, (ii) at least one propylene glycol ester of fat and/or a fatty acid, and (iii) a metal oxide.

19. The formulation of claim 18, where in the metal oxide is silicon dioxide.