Smarter Science, Better Corn Oil Production

By leveraging biotechnology, we enhance corn oil production by optimizing extraction, improving yield, and increasing sustainability, ensuring higher efficiency and profitability. Science makes it smarter.

Analyzing Trends for Strategic Production Planning

In this episode of the Ethanol Producer Magazine podcast, host Katie Schroeder engages with Jaclyn DeMartini, a senior lead scientist at IFF, who specializes in grain applications R&D. The discussion revolves around the evolution of corn oil value, the factors affecting its yield, and the role of biotechnology in enhancing production efficiency.

Escalating Corn Oil Extraction: A Conversation with IFF

Optimizing Corn Oil Production

Optimizing corn oil production is a multifaceted challenge that requires a deep understanding of both the biological and mechanical processes involved, as well as and the technological innovations available. Jaclyn DeMartini shares insights and demystifies the complexities of corn oil recovery and the promising role of biotechnology in enhancing yields.

Over the past decade, the value of corn oil has experienced significant fluctuations. During the 2010s, prices remained steady around $0.20 to $0.30 per gallon. In 2022, prices surged up to $0.80 per gallon. Currently, prices have stabilized between $0.40 to $0.50 per gallon. This historical context sets the stage for understanding the dynamics of corn oil production.

The theoretical maximum oil yield from corn kernels is calculated based on the oil/fat content of corn, which can be dependent on the analytical method used:

  • Theoretical Maximum Yield: Approximately 1.7 to 1.9 pounds per bushel.
  • Realistic Maximum Recoverable Yield: Realistically around 1.4 to 1.7 pounds per bushel, accounting for the true recoverable oil present in incoming corn.

Numerous factors can influence corn oil yield in ethanol facilities:

  • Upstream Unit Operations: Grind performance, Fermentation efficiency, Stillage decanter performance
  • Corn Oil Centrifuge: Syrup feed dry solids, Temperature, Flow rate, Demulsifier effectiveness

These factors highlight the complexity of optimizing corn oil recovery.

Biotechnology plays a crucial role in enhancing corn oil yields through both direct and indirect methods:

  • Direct Enhancements: Enzymes added or the main purpose of improving corn oil extraction.
  • Indirect Enhancements: Enzymes added to improve cook or fermentation efficiency, which minimize residual starch.

Despite advancements in these areas, even well-optimized plants may lose 30-40% of their corn oil to wet cake due/DDGS to oil being trapped in corn fiber, likened to a sponge.

IFF’s next-generation cellulase, OPTIMASH® BOOST, which replaces OPTIMASH® F200, is engineered to enhance oil recovery by disrupting the interaction between corn fiber and oil—redirecting oil from wet cake to syrup for improved yield. Our technical service team is here to help ethanol producers find the best fit for their plant—whether that means using OPTIMASH® BOOST as a standalone solution or in combination with OPTIMASH ® AX—to maximize corn oil recovery based on their specific needs.

When applying cellulases and xylanases to enhance oil yield, it is essential to monitor  downstream performance, particularly syrup viscosity:

  • Suspended Solids: The breakdown of fiber can lead to increased dissolved and suspended solids, which if not controlled, can negatively impact syrup viscosity.
  • Plant Variability: Different plants exhibit varying tolerances to syrup viscosity changes, necessitating a tailored approach.

Several factors are important to consider when determining a plant’s ability to handle syrup viscosity:

  • Baseline Syrup Viscosity: Understanding a plant’s starting viscosity is critical.
  • Decanter Performance: The efficiency of the whole stillage decanter can have a significant effect on syrup solids concentration and composition.
  • Centrifuge Type: Different centrifuge models have varying tolerances for solids and viscosity.