Extraction of zein and its application in food preservation

The proteins of the endosperm of corn, referring to zein, have important degree of polymerization for the formation of the films on food, being useful in the conservation of it. This review will address ways of extracting these proteins by their amino acid solubility in alcoholic solvents and methods of combined chemical and enzymatic treatments. The polymer of zein can replace synthetic polymers used in food packaging, it contributes for economic value to the corn industry. Its application in films provides functional characteristics of mass stability, microbial control and reduction of lipid oxidation in some kind of food during storage.