Q: Consider the following statements:
a) Maize can be used for the production of starch.
b) Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
c) Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.
Maize starch
- It is produced by the wet milling process, which involves the grinding of softened maize and separation of corn oil seeds (germs), gluten (proteins), fibers (husk), and finally pure starch.
- ⦁ Corn starch is made from maize kernels, which are high in starch. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
- ⦁ Corn starch has a wide variety of applications. It is used as a thickening agent in soups.
- ⦁ Corn starch is also used in manufacturing bio-plastics and the preparation of corn syrup.
- ⦁ The general way to Produce Biodiesel fuels is transesterification of fat or oil triacylglycerols with short-chain alcohol such as methanol or ethanol in the presence of alkaline or acid catalysts.
- ⦁ Corn Biodiesel chemically is a mixture of long-chain fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs).
- ⦁ Oil extracted from maize that can be converted into ethanol or biodiesel. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
- ⦁ The type of alcohol in the alcoholic drinks we drink is a chemical called ethanol. To make alcohol, you need to put grains, fruits, or vegetables through a process called fermentation. the common source of ethanol is maize and other grains. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
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