How is corn oil produced from corn germ?

Corn oil is produced by extracting the oil contained within the germ (embryo) of the corn kernel. The process involves several key steps:

• Separation: The germ is separated from the rest of the kernel during the milling process used to create products like hominy or animal feed.1
• Drying: The isolated corn germ is dried in a kiln.1
• Extraction: The oil is initially extracted using a hydraulic or screw press. The remaining pressed cake undergoes further treatment by washing with a solvent, typically hexane, to recover the remaining oil through evaporation.1
• Refining: The crude oil often undergoes water refining, or degumming, to remove phospholipids. This process involves treating the oil with water and using centrifugal separation. The resulting byproduct, lecithin, is frequently used as an emulsifier in food products like margarine.2

Following these steps, the oil may be further refined with alkalies to prepare it for edible consumption.2