The Complete Process of Extracting and Refining Corn Germ Oil

Corn germ oil is derived from corn and extracted during the production of corn grits, corn starch, or corn syrup, recovering about 8%–12% of corn germ. The collected germ can be used to produce corn germ oil and corn germ protein. Corn germ oil can be refined into nutrient-rich edible oils such as salad oil, cooking oil, and margarine. It is also a high-quality raw material for industries like paint, varnish, and soap making.

Corn oil is highly nutritious, with an unsaturated fatty acid content of 80–85% and a linoleic acid content of up to 50%. It helps dissolve cholesterol, is rich in vitamin E and phytosterols, and boasts an absorption rate of over 97%. Corn oil has a promising market outlook, aligning with modern consumers’ health-conscious preferences.

The process, equipment, and techniques for extracting oil from corn germ are generally similar to those used for other oilseeds. It involves steps such as cleaning, drying, softening, flaking, steaming, pressing, and refining. Corn germ extraction methods include dry, wet, and semi-wet processes, or collaboration with grain processing plants to purchase corn germ.

Corn germ undergoes pre-treatment steps like cleaning, screening, drying, and softening before oil is extracted via pressing or solvent extraction. Given the relatively low oil content of corn germ, solvent extraction is commonly used in industrial production to enhance efficiency and oil yield.

The solvent extraction process involves mixing the pre-treated material with a solvent in an extraction system to extract the oil. The solvent is then recovered through evaporation, stripping, and condensation, resulting in crude corn germ oil.

The crude oil undergoes refining steps like degumming, deacidification, dehydration, decolorization, and deodorization to remove impurities, solvent residues, and harmful substances. The refined oil is then tested for quality, packaged, and stored—ready to become the corn oil products we see in supermarkets.

The production of corn oil relies heavily on oil machinery. The quality and efficiency of the machinery directly affect the yield and quality of the final product. Therefore, selecting a reliable equipment manufacturer is crucial. If you'd like more information, you're welcome to visit Huatai for an on-site tour.