Corn gluten meal facts for kids

Corn gluten meal (CGM) is a special ingredient that comes from corn (also known as maize). It is mostly made of protein, specifically zein and glutelin, which are found in the corn's endosperm (the starchy part). This meal is a leftover product from processing corn and has been used for a long time as food for animals. Even though it has "gluten" in its name, corn gluten is not the same as the "true gluten" found in wheat, which is made from different proteins called gliadin and glutenin. This is important for people who need to avoid true gluten in their diet.

How is Corn Gluten Meal Made?

Corn gluten meal is created during a process called wet-milling corn. This process also produces other useful things like corn starch, corn germ oil, corn gluten feed, and steep liquor.

From Corn to Meal: The Steps

First, corn kernels are soaked in water mixed with sulfur dioxide. This helps to soften them. After soaking, the corn is ground up. This step helps to separate the germ (where corn oil comes from) from the endosperm.

Next, the endosperm goes through special screens to separate the starch and proteins from the corn fiber, also known as bran. The remaining mixture of starch and proteins is then spun very fast in machines called centrifuges. This spinning separates the lighter starch from the heavier corn gluten meal.

The corn gluten meal that is usually produced contains a lot of protein (about 71.4%). It also has some fat (4.1%), fiber (0.8%), ash (1.2%), starch (12.4%), and other carbohydrates (10.1%). The final product is a golden-yellow to brown powder that has a smell like cereal.

What is Corn Gluten Meal Used For?

Helping Gardens Grow: Natural Weed Control

Since 1991, corn gluten meal has been used as a natural way to stop unwanted plants, called weeds, from growing. It works best as a "preemergent" herbicide, meaning it helps prevent weed seeds from sprouting. Because it breaks down over time and has a lot of nitrogen, it can also act like a natural fertilizer, helping your grass and other plants grow strong. However, it's important to make sure it doesn't wash directly into rivers or lakes. Too much nitrogen can cause pollution in water, which can harm aquatic life.

The way corn gluten meal works in gardens can vary. The extra nitrogen can help your lawn grass grow thicker and stronger, making it harder for weeds to compete. It can also act like a mulch, which is a layer on top of the soil that helps prevent new weeds from popping up. But remember, it won't get rid of weeds that have already started growing.

A Healthy Meal for Animals

Corn gluten meal is often used as food for farm animals and pets. It contains about 65% protein, making it a great source of protein, energy, and even natural colors for livestock. It's also used in pet foods because it's easy for animals to digest. Sometimes, people confuse corn gluten meal with corn gluten feed. But these are different! Corn gluten feed has less protein (about 22%) and is a mix of bran, steep liquor, and corn germ oil from the milling process.

Adding Flavor to Food

Corn gluten is also used to make something called hydrolyzed vegetable protein. This is a common ingredient that helps add flavor to many different foods we eat.

Keeping Pests Away

Corn gluten meal can be used as an active ingredient in products designed to control small pests like rodents. When rodents eat corn gluten meal, it makes them very thirsty. This method helps to manage rodent populations in a way that is generally considered safe for other animals and the environment.

Is Corn Gluten Meal Safe?

Corn gluten meal is not easily flammable, and it doesn't cause corrosion (like rust). If it touches your skin, it usually doesn't cause poisoning, though a small number of people (about 3.5%) might experience some skin irritation. The good news is that this irritation doesn't get worse with repeated contact.

While corn gluten meal hasn't been specifically tested for how it affects eyes, or if it's harmful when breathed in or swallowed in large amounts, its widespread use as animal feed for many years without problems suggests it is unlikely to cause serious health risks. Experts have agreed that extensive testing is not needed for its common uses.