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Effect of Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, and Potassium Hydroxide on Debranning of Corn

¹Former graduate research assistant, University of Illinois. Current address: Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. ²Graduate research assistant, Dept. Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801. ³Corresponding author. E-mail: navpreet@juno.com ⁴Professor, Dept. Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.

The effect of sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide, and processing conditions (alkali concentration and soaking time) on corn debranning was studied at a temperature of 55°C. Fiber yield, soluble dry matter loss, and total dry matter removed were determined for different alkalies and processing conditions. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide resulted in maximum fiber yields of 3.38 and 3.48%; maximum soluble dry matter loss of 7.63 and 10.96%; and maximum total dry matter removed of 10.52 and 13.26%. Calcium hydroxide at 6% concentration level resulted in negligible fiber yield, soluble dry matter loss, and total dry matter removed with soak times up to 16 hr. Sodium hydroxide has higher debranning action than potassium hydroxide at 3 and 6% concentration levels; whereas, at 9% concentration level, potassium hydroxide has higher debranning action.