Zein

Name:
Zein
Detailed information:
The protein of corn, a prolamin.

Properties:

White to slightly yellow powder; odorless; tasteless. D 1.226. Free of cystine, lysine, and tryptophane. A resinous material dispersible in water with neutral sulfonated castor oil; soluble in dilute alcohol; insoluble in water, dilute acids, anhydrous alcohols, turpentine, esters, oils, fats. Nontoxic protein of the prolamine class, derived from corn; contains 17 amino acids. Combustible.

Derivation:

By-product of corn processing, by extraction of gluten meal with 85% isopropanol, extraction of the zein from the extract with hexane, precipitation by water, and spray drying.

Use:

Paper coating, grease-resistant coating, label varnishes, laminated board, solid-color prints, printing inks, food coatings, microencapsulation, fibers.