28.4.3 Technical Questions

1. How is degermination carried out?

Ans: To free germs the maize kernels are coarsely ground in mill with cane to avoid oil leakage from germs otherwise oil will get soaked up with starch granules, which reduce starch quality. Lighter germs is separated by hydrocyclones.
         For complete degermination, grinding and degeneration steps are performed twice.Then the germs are washed, dried and sold for corn oil production.

2. What is the use of steep water?

Ans: Concentrated steep water is consumed in the growth of penicillin and streptomysin. Steep water softenes the kernels and release solubles.

3. How is gluten removed?

Ans: Gluten is starch milk, which contains water insoluble proteins. It is mostly separated by two successive nozzle type continuous centrifugal separators. The separation occurs due to density difference between starch and protein.

 

References :

1. Dryden C. E., Outlines of Chemical Technology, East-West Press, 2008

2. Kirk R. E., Othmer D. F., Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley and Sons, 1999-2012