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Corn
Fiber Utilization Project Continues With Checkoff-Funded Help (12-21-01)
Corn
fiber utilization represents untapped potential for agricultural researchers
and is one of several projects the National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA) is involved in, leveraging corn checkoff funds with U.S. Department
of Energy grants to find new uses for corn. The DOE has put $1.7 million
into the two[N1]-year project.
NCGA
Director of Business Development Rene Shunk recently traveled to Decatur,
Ill., to review the Corn Fiber Utilization project with ADM and PNNL/Battelle.
"We
met and discussed in detail the progress of the research and the economic
model," she said. "The team will begin to explore the possibility
of funding for a pilot trial of the technology when this stage of the
project is complete, which is planned for August 2002."
Shunk
pointed out the advantages of this important co[N2]-product of the wet-milling
process of corn[N3]. "Corn fiber is an underutilized portion of
the corn kernel from the wet-milling process," she said. "It
is sold as a binder for the high-protein liquids accumulated during
the wet-milling process and together, they make a very good livestock
feed component."
Corn
growers will benefit from this process by the opening of new doors for
corn, Shunk noted. "This is a new market for corn in that it's
being developed for industrial use," she said. "In the long
term, we believe these techniques can be applied to make other important
chemicals from a renewable resource. Also, it expands the markets for
corn and creates a source for chemicals other than petroleum."
Growers
will also benefit when this research becomes commercially viable. "When
these ideas are put into use," said Shunk, "money will begin
to come in and that money, in turn, will be used for more research into
new markets for corn and other renewable resources."
For
more information on corn fiber utilization and other checkoff-funded
research projects, visit the NCGA website at http://www.ncga.com/research/main/index.html.
[N1]Two-year
[N2]co
[N3]wet milling process
Last reviewed
December 21, 2001
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