Fermented Corn Oil

Description

Fermented corn oil is a novel type of corn oil obtained as a co-product of corn fermentation processes, particularly from ethanol or bioethanol production facilities. During ethanol manufacturing, corn is broken down into sugars and fermented using yeast to produce alcohol, leaving behind distillers grains and solubles. These residuals contain lipids, and through centrifugation and filtration, fermented corn oil is extracted. This oil is darker and more viscous than traditional corn oil, typically containing free fatty acids, pigments, sterols, and fermentation byproducts like yeast residues and organic acids. It is not food-grade and is mostly used in biodiesel production, animal nutrition, and industrial chemical manufacturing. Its fatty acid profile, high in linoleic acid and containing some oleic acid, makes it suitable for transesterification into biodiesel, particularly in the U.S. where ethanol plants have begun integrating oil separation units. The oil’s oxidative stability and relatively high energy density make it a good fuel additive or substitute in energy-intensive sectors. In the animal feed sector, fermented corn oil is sometimes added to poultry or swine feed to increase caloric value, improve feed efficiency, and provide essential fatty acids, though it must be purified and monitored for contaminants. Fermented corn oil is also being studied for its potential in biopolymer production, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), used in biodegradable plastics. Its natural fermentation-derived antioxidants and minor compounds offer intriguing prospects in microbial and biotechnological research. Researchers are investigating its application in soil amendments and as a carbon source in industrial fermentation tanks. Its use in lubricants and coatings is also gaining traction, especially in eco-friendly product lines. Though not edible, it plays a crucial role in the closed-loop agro-industrial cycle, helping corn ethanol plants achieve zero-waste operations by monetizing every fraction of the feedstock. The oil has a brownish-yellow hue and a faint fermented or sour odor, characteristics that vary depending on the feedstock quality and fermentation conditions. Some operations filter or mildly treat it to remove suspended solids and improve storage stability. Because it is a byproduct, it is typically sold in bulk quantities in drums or tankers and traded between refineries and feed mills. As ethanol demand rises globally, fermented corn oil is becoming an important value-add to the renewable fuel and agricultural industries, offering a low-cost, high-yield alternative to other industrial oils.

Quantity is 5 litre