The Corn Processing industries produce many important food, industrial and chemical products from corn grain, and in the process produce many important by-products that have increasing nutritional and economic impact to our food supply.
Overview
There are two distinct techniques that are used to process corn: wet milling and dry milling.
Wet milling processors generate pure corn starch, which has many food and industrial uses. In addition, corn oil and many other by-products are produced. A complete list of products and by-products from the wet millers along with possible end-uses includes:
Products | End-Uses |
---|---|
Corn Starch | Food, sweeteners and industrial uses for polymers, films etc. |
Corn oil | Food and industrial uses for lubrication |
Corn germ meal | Protein source for poultry and swine feeds |
Corn gluten feed | Protein and energy source for cattle, swine and poultry |
Corn gluten meal | High protein concentrate for poultry and cattle feed |
Corn steep liquor |
Liquid protein source for cattle feed and feed pellets |
Dry Milling processors produce starch for ethanol and other products, while valuable by-products for use in animal feeds. The products and by-products from the dry millers along with possible end-uses includes:
Products | End-Uses |
---|---|
Corn starch | Ethanol production for fuel or sweeteners for beverages |
Corn distillers solubles |
Protein and energy source for animal feed |
Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGs) |
High protein and energy source for cattle, poultry, swine and pet food production |
Process Control Points
Well-controlled milling processes optimize the production of starch, meals and other products and enables the most efficient use of the by-products. Our Corn Processing Analyzer is ideal for every step in the corn milling process, including:
- test incoming corn for moisture, protein, starch and other constituents
- monitoring and controlling the quality of dry milling products such as grits, corn meals and corn flour
- monitor and adjust the wet milling process to optimize the yield of starch
- test and verify quality of corn gluten feed and meal
- analyze DDGs, bran and other by-products for quality
Timely, accurate analytical data is critical to controlling the milling process and maximizing yield. Frequent analysis of the by-products will ensure they meet the specified quality and reduce re-work and claims. Unity NIR Corn Processing solutions provide these data in 30 seconds at-line, maximizing profits and resulting in very short payback times.