Corn germ is processed using the Model III Extractor. The design of the equipment varies to optimize the amount of solvent and bed depth needed, the contact time of the solvent and flakes, and the power and utilities needed to run the equipment for efficient corn germ washing.
How is corn germ extracted from the corn?
The first step of processing corn germ from wet milling or dry milling is to prepare the seed for oil removal. The seed is delivered clean, but additional cleaning with a magnet and screener may be done to remove any impurities or fines. For dry-milled germ, the seed is then conditioned, flaked, and sent to solvent extraction.
Can absolute isopropanol be used in corn germ-bran oil extraction?
The absolute isopropanol showed excellent performance as a solvent in corn germ-bran oil extraction, with yields above 75% from the temperature of 50 °C, in single stage batch extraction.
How is corn oil extracted?
In the process of corn oil extraction, the germ passes through conditioning operations (heating, humidification and extrusion), to then be submitted to oil extraction by expeller (pre-pressing) and solvent extraction, with hexane being the solvent chosen by processors ( Moreau, 2005 ).