ABSTRACT
ZEIN comprises a group of alcohol-soluble proteins (prolamins) found in cornendosperm. It accounts for 50% or more of total endosperm protein, and its only known role is the storage of nitrogen for the germinating embryo (Larkins and Hurkman, 1978). Zein occurs in small, compact protein bodies embedded in the glutelin protein matrix and distributed chiefly in the outer layers of the corn endosperm (Wolf et al., 1967; Dombrink-Kurtzman and Bietz, 1993). It can be extracted with aqueous alcohol and dried to a granular powder.
