OPTIMASH for Optimal Corn Oil Recovery

Increasing distillers corn oil (DCO) yield is critical for ethanol producers aiming to extract the highest value from their corn.

While yields have improved year over year, most of the industry is only recovering about 50-60% of total yield.

The role of wet cake solids in corn oil recovery

A significant portion of unrecovered distillers corn oil is trapped in the wet cake, where solids act like a sponge, absorbing free oil and making it difficult to recover. OPTIMASH® BOOST, our next-generation cellulase that replaces OPTIMASH® F200, releases oil from the fiber and consistently reduces oil loss to the wet cake—delivering reliable performance over time.

4 Ways

OPTIMASH® BOOST and OPTIMASH® AX deliver benefits to ethanol producers:

More Corn Oil

Delivers up to 30% increased oil recovery

Cellulosic Gallons

Clarified with a higher concentration of beneficial cellulases for oil release and an improved mix of hemicellulases that act on insoluble and soluble fractions

Fiber Dewatering

Dewaters corn kernel fiber for reduced natural gas consumption in the dryers, lowering energy consumption and CI score

Maximum Operability

IFF technical service optimizes enzyme dosages and ratios for maximum plant operability

Field-Tested, Plant-Proven

OPTIMASH® BOOST and OPTIMASH® AX increased Plant A’s oil yield by 30% over baseline

OPTIMASH® BOOST and OPTIMASH® AX increased Plant B’s oil yield by 23% over baseline , and 11% over IFF’s 1st generation oil cellulase product

OPTIMASH® BOOST and OPTIMASH® AX decreased Plant B’s fat lost to the wet cake by ~10%.

Heavy phase fat content remained similar during Plant B’s trial, demonstrating the additional oil that was freed up by OPTIMASH® BOOST was recovered efficiently by the oil centrifuge

Our Expertise

IFF’s Technical Service team is driving performance to new heights by delivering hands-on support to ethanol producers—from the trial phase onward. This includes detailed baseline and trial oil mapping, along with data-driven analysis to fine-tune OPTIMASH® BOOST and OPTIMASH® AX dosing strategies.

The result? Enhanced oil recovery without compromising downstream processability.

In addition, IFF experts work directly with individual plants to help reduce energy consumption and lower overall carbon intensity through improved fiber dewatering—powered by OPTIMASH® BOOST.

Jaclyn DeMartini

Lead Scientist

There are a multitude of factors that can impact corn oil yields, ranging from corn quality to fermentation performance and centrifuge efficiency. Despite the variable nature of corn oil yields, we found that a combination of cellulases and xylanases can consistently reduce the amount of oil that’s lost to the wet cake.

Listen

Learn more about the bioscience of corn oil recovery

Mapping DCO and Mitigating Yield Loss

Learn how IFF helps ethanol producers boost corn oil yields with precision enzyme use and rapid oil mapping insights that pinpoint process inefficiencies.

Extracting Every Drop

Enzymes are powerful allies in maximizing oil yield during DCO production, complementing chemical and mechanical methods across the process.

Biotechnology in Corn Oil Recovery

Using biotechnology, to optimize corn oil extraction for better yield, sustainability, and profitability.

A pitcher filled with corn oil, accompanied by two corn husks full of corn on the side.

Improving Corn Oil Recovery

Maximize the potential of ethanol plants with advanced enzyme solutions, enhancing data integration and boosting oil yield.

Stop Losing Oil.
Start Gaining Profit.

OPTIMASH® BOOST

Increasing distillers corn oil (DCO) yield is critical for ethanol producers aiming to extract the highest value from their corn.

While yields have improved year over year, most of the industry is only recovering about 50-60% of total yield.

This presents a tremendous opportunity to boost profitability.

The role of wet cake solids in corn oil recovery