Isolation of hemicellulose from corn fiber

摘要

This invention pertains to a high yield process for producing high quality corn fiber gum by hydrogen peroxide treatment of corn fiber during alkaline extraction and/or after obtaining the alkaline extract of milled corn fiber. This process comprises the steps: a) mixing corn fiber with an alkaline solution to form a slurry and extract hemicellulose; b) treating the slurry with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 10.0 to 12.5; and c) separating out the insoluble fractions from the corn fiber slurry to yield corn fiber gum. The corn fiber gum produced by this process is highly soluble in water and provides low viscosity solutions which are nearly devoid of color over a wide pH range. The corn fiber gum lacks objectionable flavor and aroma. The corn fiber gum is useful for a variety of applications, including film formation and to thicken, emulsify, stabilize and/or extend aqueous solutions and suspensions.