ARS | Publication request: Effect of oil extraction method on the enzymatic digestibility of corn germ arabinoxylan

Submitted to: Cereal Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 27, 2007
Publication Date: June 20, 2007
Citation: Leathers, T.D., Price, N.P. 2007. Effect of oil extraction method on the enzymatic digestibility of corn germ arabinoxylan. Cereal Chemistry. 84(3):243-245.

Interpretive Summary: Practical new methods are needed to produce fermentable sugars from low-value agricultural residues such as defatted corn germ. We examined for the first time the effect of oil extraction method on the ability of enzymes to produce sugars from corn germ fibers. This work will be of interest to researchers developing new uses and value-added products from agricultural commodities and byproducts.

Technical Abstract: Whole corn germ and germs extracted by three different processes were all excellent substrates for arabinoxylan digestion by crude enzymes from Aureobasidium strain NRRL Y-2311-1. Thus, oil extraction does not serve as a pretreatment to enhance digestibility. Fully expelled germ was slightly more digestible than solvent-defatted germs, possibly because solvent dehydrates the arabinoxylan components.