Physical and nutritional properties of corn masa by-product streams

Production of corn masa-based products is flourishing in the United States, as is the generation of masa processing waste. Masa by-products have potential for value-added utilization, an option which could produce less pollution in the environment and economic benefits for masa processors. Physical and nutritional properties of these by-products are needed for the proper design of processing operations and by-product applications, but information concerning masa byproducts is not currently available. Thus the objective of this study was to fully characterize typical masa by-product streams. The masa by-products studied had moisture contents between 88.15% and 89.29% (w.b.), water activity values between 0.999 and 1.000, densities between 1030.85 and 1047.32 kg/m³, yield stress values between 1440.04 and 1618.08 N/m², pH values between 6.17 and 6.30, Hunter L values between 35.15 and 49.13, a values between 0.27 and 0.98, and b values between 6.85 and 9.38. Drying curves were developed to predict drying behavior. The dried by-products had protein contents between 4.76% and 4.90% (d.b.), crude fat contents from 0.74% to 5.76% (d.b.), ash contents between 17.41% and 19.09% (d.b.), and carbohydrate contents from 71.93% to 75.41% (d.b.), which was due primarily to fiber, with hemicellulose levels of 20.82% to 24.06% (d.b.) and cellulose between 30.55% and 31.83% (d.b.). Dry masa by-products also consisted of 4.68% (d.b.) calcium. Therefore, dehydrated masa by-products seem very suitable for use as livestock feed additives.