Description and references
A prolamine; an alcohol-soluble protein present
in amounts of 2.5-10% (dry basis) in corn (Zea mays L., Gramineae). The greater part of zein has a mol wt of 38,000.
Does not contain lysine or tryptophan. Extracted commercially from
gluten meal with dil isopropanol: Swallen, Ind. Eng. Chem. 33, 394 (1941). Improved
method: Carter, Reck, DE 2002337 (1971 to Nutrilite Prod.), C.A. 75, 117341b (1971). Review: Mossé, Ann. Physiol. Végétale 3, 105 (1961).
Properties
White to slightly yellow powder. d 1.226. When completely dry may be
heated to 200° without visible signs of decompn. Soluble in aq alcohols,
the glycols, the ethyl ether of ethylene glycol, furfuryl alcohol,
tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, aq alkaline solns of pH 11.5 (or greater).
Tends to become denatured when in soln and becomes insol. Insol
in water, acetone; but readily sol in acetone-water mixtures between
the limits of 60-80% acetone by volume. Insol in anhydr alcohols
except methanol.Use
Manuf plastics, paper coatings, adhesives, substitutes
for shellac, laminated board, in solid color printing, films, edible
coatings for foodstuffs.