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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227428

Title: IMPROVED MELT PROCESSING OF ZEIN

Author
item Selling, Gordon
item Woods, Kristen

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2008
Publication Date: 10/10/2008
Citation: Selling, G.W., Woods, K.K. 2008. IMPROVED MELT PROCESSING OF ZEIN. Meeting Abstract. xx.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In order for zein, a potentially significant co-product of the bio-ethanol industry, to be used in new markets, improved zein based products are needed. These products need to be produced by the most economical means possible. In the traditional plastics industry, extrusion techniques are used for many successful products. Besides the ability to be extrusion processed, the zein used to make these products will need to be modified in such a way that they will be more resistant to water and other solvents. We will report on our efforts to modify zein using various cross-linking reagents in solution and in the melt state. The zein modification was undertaken in both batch processes as well as by reactive extrusion. Final melt processed articles were produced by compression molding and by injection molding. The articles produced had improved physical properties and improved resistance to a variety of solvents.