Abstract
The unique phytosterol-containing oil in the corn fiber (corn fiber oil) has potential use as a natural LDL-cholesterol-lowering nutraceutical but its low concentration in fiber (1-3%) makes it is difficult and expensive to extract. Pre-treatment of corn fiber with dilute acid and/or glucosidases removed non-lipid components of fiber, producing oil-enriched fractions that should be more amenable to efficient and inexpensive oil extraction. Analytical results showed that acid as well as enzymes significantly increased the content of corn fiber oil and its phytosterol compounds by hydrolyzing (and removing) the starch and non-starch (cell wall) polysaccharides from the wet milled corn fiber. Dual treatment of the fiber with acid and enzyme gave a greater increase in the final concentration of corn fiber oil and its phytosterol components when compared to acid or enzyme treatments alone. Depending upon the treatment, the oil concentration in the residual solids increased from 88-807% and the total phytosterol concentration increased by 64 to 710%, compared to the untreated fiber sample (control sample).
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