Approximately 10% of the corn kernel is fiber, found mainly in the pericarp (the outer coating of the kernel). The vast majority of the fiber is hemicellulose, a chain of primarily xylose and arabinose (known as 5-carbon sugars). During the wet milling process, this fiber is separated and later combined with the soluble proteins from the steeping water to produce a feed product known as corn gluten feed (approximately 20% protein, high fiber).

Corn gluten feed is the lowest value per pound of any of the wet milling co-products and is primarily exported to Europe for use as cattle feed. Distillers grains from the dry grind ethanol process are similar in protein and fiber content and are primarily sold to the domestic cattle and dairy market. Distillers grains, corn gluten feed and corn all compete for a limited livestock feed market.

Converting any of the lower-value, high-fiber feed products into higher-value industrial products will improve the overall corn market. Ultimately fiber separation and process technology can be developed for wet and dry mills, improving the profitability of many corn-based bioproducts.

This project will develop commercially feasible technology to separate corn fiber recovered during the wet milling process into the component substances. Valuable chemicals will be separated from the fiber stream and the sugars will be converted into ethanol or other chemicals, such as propylene glycol or ethylene glycol.