Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322777
Research Project: Improved Utilization of Proteinaceous Crop Co-Products

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Reactive extrusion of zein with glyoxal and polyethylene maleic anhydride

Author
item Selling, Gordon
item Utt, Kelly

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2015
Publication Date: 3/13/2016
Citation: Selling, G.W., Utt, K.D. 2016. Reactive extrusion of zein with glyoxal and polyethylene maleic anhydride [abstract]. American Chemical Society National Meeting. p.118.

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 the most economical means for producing. It has been shown that the processing window for zein on an extruder is quite large. This suggests that various reactive reagents can be employed to provide a modified zein protein using reactive extrusion techniques. We will report on our efforts to modify zein using either glyoxal or polyethylene maleic anhydride (PEMA) 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. The advantage that PEMA has over other reagents is due to its polymeric nature, rendering it orders of magnitude safer than other technologies.