Zein

Chemical properties

White to slightly yellow powder; odorless; tasteless. Free of cystine, lysine, and tryptophan. A resinous material dispersible in water with neutral sulfonated castor oil; soluble in dilute alcohol; insoluble in water, dilute acids, anhydrous alcohols, turpentine, esters, oils, fats. Nontoxic protein of the prolamine class, derived from corn; contains 17 amino acids. Combustible.

Chemical properties

Zein is a prolamin obtained from corn (Zea mays Linne' (Fam. Gramineae)). It occurs as a granular, straw- to pale yellow-colored amorphous powder or fine flakes and has a characteristic odor and bland taste.

The Uses of Zein

Zein is a corn protein produced from corn gluten meal. it lacks the amino acids, lysine and tryptophan, so it is not suitable as a sole source of dietary protein. it is insoluble in water and alcohols but is soluble in aqueous alcohols, glycols, and glycol ethers. it functions as a film and coating to provide a moisture barrier for nuts and grain products. it also functions as a coating for confections and a glaze for panned goods.

The Uses of Zein

Paper coating, grease-resistant coating, label varnishes, laminated board, solid-color prints, printing inks, food coatings, microencapsulation, fibers.

The Uses of Zein

Zein has been used as a biopolymer in electrospinning technique. It has also been used to blend starch involved in the manufacture of thermoplastic material.

What are the applications of Application

Zein is a prolamine storage protein in corn that has many applications as a protein based fiber

Production Methods

Zein is extracted from corn gluten meal with dilute propan-2-ol.

Definition

Zein is a protein derived from Zea mays, Gramineae. It belongs to the prolamine class and contains seventeen amino acids.

General Description

Zein is a prolamine and an alcohol soluble protein present in maize endosperm cells. Zein is a 20kDa structural protein and is encoded by the gene mapped on the short arm of maize chromosome 7. This protein lacks essential amino acids, such as lysine and tryptophan. Therefore, it has a poor nutritional value.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Zein is used as a tablet binder in wet-granulation processes or as a tablet-coating agent mainly as a replacement for shellac. It is used primarily as an enteric-coating agent or in extended-release oral tablet formulations and other delivery systems. Zein is also used in food applications as a coating agent.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Zein is used in the manufacture of fiber, adhesive, coating, ceramic, ink, cosmetic, textile, chewing gum and biodegradable plastics. This protein is a biodegradable and sustainable agropolymer. Thus, it is a great potential replacement for traditional oil-based plastics.

Safety Profile

When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Safety

Zein is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations and food products, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material at the levels employed as an excipient. However, it may be harmful if ingested in large quantities.

storage

Zein should be stored in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place. It has not been reported to polymerize.

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizing agents.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral tablets). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.