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Zein is a class of prolamine protein found in maize. Proline (abbreviated as Pro or P) is an α- Amino acid, one of the twenty DNA -encoded amino acids Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica It is usually manufactured as a powder from corn gluten meal. Corn gluten meal (often simply called CGM) is a Byproduct of Corn (maize processing that has historically been used as an animal feed

Zein is one of the most well understood plant proteins[1] and has a variety of industrial and food uses. [2][3] Historically it has been used in the manufacture of a wide variety of commercial products including coatings for paper cups, soda bottle cap linings, clothing fabric,[4] buttons, adhesives, coatings and binders. The dominant historical use of zein was in the textile fibers market where it was produced under the name "Vicara". [2][5] With the development of synthetic alternatives, the use of zein in this market eventually disappeared. By utilizing electrospinning, zein fibers have again been produced in the lab where additional research will be performed to re-enter the fiber market. [6][7] Pure zein is clear, odorless, tasteless, hard, water-insoluble, and edible, making it invaluable in processed foods and pharmaceuticals, in competition with insect shellac. Shellac is the commercial resin marketed in the form of amber flakes made from Lac, the secretion of the family of lac-producing insects though most commonly from the It is now used as a coating for candy, nuts, fruit, pills, and other encapsulated foods and drugs. In the United States it may be labeled as "confectioner's glaze" (which may also refer to shellac-based glazes) and used as a coating on bakery products[8]or as "vegetable protein. Pharmaceutical glaze is an Alcohol based solution of various types of food grade Shellac. " It is classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the U. Generally Recognized as Safe ( GRAS) is a United States of America Food and Drug Administration (FDA designation that a chemical or substance added to food S. Food and Drug Administration.

Zein can be further processed into resins and other bioplastic polymers which can be extruded or rolled into a variety of plastic products. Resin, not to be confused with Rosin, is a Hydrocarbon Secretion of many Plants particularly coniferous trees. A polymer is a large Molecule ( Macromolecule) composed of repeating Structural units typically connected by Covalent Chemical bonds [9][10] With increasing environmental concerns about synthetic coatings (such as PFOA) and the currently higher prices of hydrocarbon based petrochemicals, there is increased focus on zein as a raw material for a variety of non-toxic and renewable polymer applications, particularly in paper industry applications. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA also known as C8, is a man-made Surfactant. [11][12] Other reasons for a renewed interest in zein include concern about the landfill costs of plastics and consumer interest in natural substances. There are also a number of potential new food industry applications.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company have recently been studying the possibility of using zein to replace some of the gum base in chewing gum. [13] They are also studying medical applications such as using the zein molecule to "carry biocompounds to targeted sites in the human body". [14] There are a number of potential food safety applications that may be possible for zein-based packaging according to several researchers. A military contractor is researching the use of zein to protect MRE food packages. [15] Other packaging/food safety applications that have been researched include frozen foods,[16] ready-to-eat chicken,[17]and cheese and liquid eggs. [18] Food researchers in Japan have noted the ability of the zein molecule to act as a water barrier. [19]

While there are numerous existing and potential uses for zein, the main barrier to greater commercial success has been its historic high cost until recently. Some believe the solution is to extract zein as a byproduct in the manufacturing process for ethanol[20] or in new off-shore manufacture.

References

  1. ^ Momany, Frank A. ; Sessa, David J. ; Lawton, John C. ; Selling, Gordon W. ; Hamaker, Sharon A. H. ; and Willett, Julious L. "Structural Characterization of A-Zein" December 27, 2005, American Chemical Society
  2. ^ a b Lawton, John W. "Zein: A History of Processing and Use", November 1, 2002, American Association of Cereal Chemists
  3. ^ Gennadios, Aristippos"Protein-Based Films and Coatings" 2002
  4. ^ Commission on Life Sciences "Biobased Industrial Products: Research and Commercialization Priorities" 2002. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.
  5. ^ Horst, W. P. Amer Dyestuff Rep Vol. 38, 335, 1949.
  6. ^ Miyoshi, T. , Toyohara, H. , Minematsu, H. "Preparation of ultrafine fibrous zein membranes via electrospinning", Polymer International Vol. 54, no. 8, 2005.
  7. ^ Selling, G. , Biswas, A. , Patel, A. , Walls, D. , Dunlap, C. , Wei, Y. "Impact of Solvent on Electrospinning of Zein and Analysis of Resulting Fibers", Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Vol. 208, no. 9, 2007.
  8. ^ Kobs, Lisa "Shining Up Appearances", Food Product Design.
  9. ^ Lee, Richard "Multiple-use Corn zein-based Biodegradable Resins, Sheets, and Films are an attractive alternative to plastic", University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of
  10. ^ Lawton Jr. , J. W. "Plasticizers for Zein:their Effect on Tensile Properties and Water Absorption of Zein Films" January 12, 2004, Cereal Chemistry.
  11. ^ Jabar, Anthony Jr; Bilodeau, Michael A. ; Neivandt, David J. ; Spender, Jonathan "Barrier Compositions and Articles Produced with the Compositions", December 29, 2005, United States Patent (pending)
  12. ^ Parris, Nicholas; Sykes, Marguerite; Dickey, Leland C. ; Wiles, Jack L. ; Urbanik, Thomas J. ; Cooke, Peter H. "Recyclable zein-coated kraft paper", Progress in paper recycling Vol. 11, no. 3 May 2002.
  13. ^ McGowan B. A. , Padua G. W. , and Lee S-Y. "Formulation of Corn Zein Chewing Gum and Evaluation of Sensory Properties by the Time-Intensity Method", September, 2005, Journal of Food Science.
  14. ^ Picklesimer, Phyllis. "Nanotechnologist Plans to Build Things with Bricklike Corn Molecules," University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of
  15. ^ Bertrand, Kate, "Military packages put technology to the test," September 2005
  16. ^ Padua, Graciela W. , Rakotonirainy, Andrianaivo, and Wang, Qin "Zein-Based Biodegradable Packaging for Frozen Foods",University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  17. ^ Janes M. This article is about the flagship campus For other uses and locations of University of Illinois, see University of Illinois (disambiguation The University of E. ; Kooshesh S. ; Johnson M. G. "Control of Listeria monocytogenes on the Surface of Refrigerated, Ready-to-eat Chicken Coated with Edible Zein Film" September, 2002, Journal of Food Science.
  18. ^ Dawson, Paul "Packaging Films Fight Bacteria and Help the Environment" Clemson University
  19. ^ Qiangxian Wu, Hiroshi Sakabe and Seiichiro Isobe "Studies on the toughness and water resistance of zein-based polymers by modification" June, 2003, National Food Research Institute, Japan.
  20. ^ Core, Jim. "Corn Protein Could Reduce Ethanol Production Costs," April 15, 2002, United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Agricultural Research Service ( ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA

External links

Oregon State University ( OSU) is a Coeducational public Research[[ university]] located in Corvallis, Oregon, United

Dictionary

zein

-noun

  1. A protein derived from corn / maize, having many industrial applications.
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