New technologies for wet milling were explored during the Corn Utilization Technology Conference this week in St. Louis. Chuck Zimmerman interviewed each of the panel members who gave an outline of their topic. Brent Shanks with Iowa State University covered the conversion of biomes and bio-based carbon into chemicals and materials and the paradigm of how to go after those …
If It Looks Like Big Oil, and Walks Like Big Oil, It’s Probably…Big Oil
A story in today’s New York Times cites a new study by the World Resource Institute that attempts to discredit the significant and increasing contributions of biofuels to meet the world’s energy needs. On close inspection two things become abundantly clear. First the so-called “new” study is nothing but the same old stuff trotted out by the anti-ethanol crowd nearly …
Orange Corn for Better Eyesight
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a set of genes that can be used to naturally boost the provitamin A content of corn, which could help fight vitamin A deficiency in developing countries, as well as macular degeneration right here at home. The human body can convert provitamin A carotenoids into vitamin A, which plays key roles in eye health …
Save the Corn Farmers?
Google “save the rainforest” and watch all the organizations that pop up; everything from the World Rainforest Fund to Kids Saving the Rainforest. I don’t have a problem with that because rainforests are a critical cog in the blue planet’s eco-system. Rainforests provide incredible biodiversity and through the process of photosynthesis they also provide the duel function of removing carbon …
Corn Oil Loves Your Heart
A new study shows that corn oil is better than extra virgin olive oil when it comes to lowering cholesterol. The findings were presented recently at the American Society for Nutrition’s Advances & Controversies in Clinical Nutrition Conference by lead researcher, Dr. Kevin C Maki with Biofortis, the clinical research arm of Merieux NutriSciences. “The study results suggest corn oil …
Improving Corn for a Hungry Planet
Growing corn in areas where water is scarce and soil is toxic may soon be a reality thanks to research being done at major universities. Purdue University scientists recently received a grant of over $1 million to find ways to increase corn tolerance to heat, which would help farmers in this country when we have a drought like last year, …
CUTC Session Looks to the Kernel for Mycotoxins
When it comes to mycotoxin research, one group at this summer’s Corn Utilization Technology Conference really got down to the heart… or more accurately in this case, the kernel… of the matter. Charles Woloshuk, Ph.D. from Purdue University, chaired the discussion on pathogens that attack seeds. He explained it’s a big issue because it affects so much of the corn …
Ancient Techniques Looked at to Mitigate Aflatoxins
Attendees at the recent Corn Utilization Technology Conference got to hear a discussion on how the effects of aflatoxins can be mitigated in human and animal feed. “We’re interested in using clay-based materials that actually bind aflatoxins very tightly and somewhat preferentially in the stomach and intestines of animals and humans,” said Timothy Phillips, Ph.D., from Texas A&M University, who …
Corn-based Biopolymers to Replace Petroleum-based Plastics
Finding new uses for corn… and ways to treat our environment a little bit better… were the hot topics at this summer’s Corn Utilization Technology Conference. Jay-lin Jane, Ph.D., Iowa State University, chaired the discussion on how biopolymers made from corn can be a sustainable, renewable, alternative to petroleum-based plastics. “The most common use for this type of material is …
Letting the Corn Genome Out of the Bottle
USDA scientists recently published the most comprehensive analysis to date of the corn genome, which should speed up development of improved varieties, including drought resistance. “This kind of research is very important to identify functional characteristics that are of importance to the farmer,” said USDA’s Chief Scientist Dr. Catherine Woteki, who adds that the information will now be used by …