Corn Fiber Oil Process Optimization Milling Process Parameters and Hybrid Selection
S. R. Eckhoff,* V. Singh, R. Moreau
USDA Specific Cooperative Agreement

Corn fiber oil containing ferulate esters has been shown to lower cholesterol in the blood stream. The objective of the project is to determine the best fraction of fiber for recovery of the ferulate ester and to determine if there is significant hybrid variability regarding the amount of ferulate ester recovered.

Image Analysis and Machine Vision for Food and Biological Systems
J. F. Reid*
U.S. Department of Agriculture HATCH Funds

This project is developing engineering practices for the use of image analysis and machine vision for quantitative analysis in biological and agricultural systems. The specific objectives of this program are to develop standardized sensor calibration techniques for quantifying the spectral and spatial response of image sensors properties of biological and agricultural specimens; to explore methods for characterizing a vision sensor response relative to the requirements of specific biological and agricultural processes; and to identify image processing suitable for real-time applications to biological and agricultural systems.

Magnetic Thermometry to Enable Aseptic Processing of Multiphase Foods
K. M. Ghiron,* J. B. Litchfield
Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research; Center for Aseptic Processing and Packaging Studies; Midwest Advanced Food Manufacturing Alliance

The objective of this research is to develop and test magnetic thermometry (utilization of the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of some materials) to measure temperatures in particles during the aseptic processing of multiphase foods. A sensor system will be constructed including a magnetic sensor, pick-up coils, and magnetic sensor beads. A pilot-scale aseptic process will be used and temperatures and residence times of flowing particles will be measured during the heating processes.

Temperature Imaging in Foods with MRI
J. B. Litchfield,* S. J. Schmidt (Foods & Nutrition), A. Webb (Elect. & Computer Engr.), P. C. Lauterbur (Med. Inform. Sci.)
Center for Aseptic Processing and Packaging Studies; Midwest Advanced Food Manufacturing Alliance; Tetra Pak Research Corp.; Conterm Corp.; Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research; National Center for Food Safety and Technology-FDA/IIT

The objective of this research is to develop and test techniques to noninvasively measure temperatures in particulates during the aseptic processing of multiphase foods. Measurement of the temperature at the cold spot in food particles is needed to determine the extent of sterilization acquired during thermal processing. A pilot-scale aseptic process is used, and particle temperatures are measured noninvasively during the heating, holding, and cooling processes. High-speed magnetic resonance temperature imaging techniques are being developed and tested.

The 'Quick Fiber' Process to Enhance Dry Grind Ethanol Profitability
S. R. Eckhoff,* K. D. Rausch, V. Singh, A. McAloon
Illinois Corn Marketing Board; C-FAR External Competitive Grants Program; Council of Great Lakes Governors; Illinois Biomass Energy Program

The 'quick fiber' process recovers pericarp fiber from degerminated corn for use in dry grind ethanol facilities. The recovery of fiber is done using hydrocyclones following recovery of germ in the 'quick germ' process. The project objectives are to determine optimal operating conditions for fiber recovery and to determine the economic benefits to dry grind ethanol producers of removing the fiber. Preliminary analysis indicated approximately a $0.04 per gallon ($0.10 per bushel) advantage of the quick fiber process. Most of the economic benefit is from increased capacity in the fermentors.

Time and SO2 Concentration on Steepwater Profiles and Corn Milling Yields Using a Continuous Countercurrent Steep System
S. R. Eckhoff,* K. D. Rausch, P. Yang
Campus Research Board

Effects of SO2 concentration and steep time on corn steep profiles and milling results were studied using a countercurrent steep system. Corn was steeped at 50?2oC in different SO2 levels (~1,000, ~2,000, and ~3,000 ppm) for different lengths of time (18, 24, 30, and 36 hr). Steepwater profiles for each condition were generated, steeped corn were milled and average product yields were reported. Steeping can be viewed as a three-stage process: a lactic acid dominating stage, a SO2 absorption stage, and a SO2 diffusion stage. Starch yield can be significantly increased by increasing either steep time or SO2 concentration.