ARS | Publication request: A Comparison Between Conversion of Pericarp and Endosperm Fiber from Corn into Ethanol

Submitted to: ASAE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: August 4, 2004
Publication Date: August 4, 2004
Citation: Singh, V., Dien, B.S., Johnston, D., Hicks, K.B., Cotta, M.A. 2004. A comparison between conversion of pericarp and endosperm fiber from corn into ethanol. Proceedings of ASAE Annual International Meeting. p. 1-15.

Technical Abstract: A modified dry grind corn process has been developed that allows recovery of both pericarp and endosperm fiber as coproducts at the front end of the process, prior to fermentation. The modified process is called enzymatic milling (E-Mill) dry grind process. In a conventional dry grind corn process, only the starch component of corn kernel is converted into ethanol. Additional ethanol can be produced from corn if fiber component can also be converted into ethanol. In this study, pericarp and endosperm fiber recovered in E-Mill dry grind process were evaluated as a potential ethanol feedstock. Both fractions were tested for their fermentability and potential ethanol yield. Total ethanol yield recovered from corn by fermenting starch, pericarp fiber, and endosperm fiber was also determined. Results show that ethanol produced in g/100 g of fiber processed was 20% more for fine fiber compared to the coarse fiber. Total ethanol yield obtained by fermenting starch and both fiber fractions was 2.84 gal/bushel compared to ethanol yield of 2.58 gal/bushel obtained by fermenting starch only.