Extraction of Natural Cellulose and Zein Protein from Corn Silk: Physico-Chemical and Biological Characterization

The aim of the present study is to extract natural cellulose and zein protein from Egyptian corn silk using two different protocols being; filtration (NaOH/H2SO4) and Solubility (NaOH/Urea). The extracted cellulose and zein via the two protocols are characterized using XRD, FTIR, and FESEM with EDAX. The biological activity of the extracted zein was assessed. Results proved the successful extraction of cellulose and zein via the two applied protocols. However, significant structural variations had recorded for the extracted cellulose and silk. The solubility protocol produced more crystalline cellulose when compared with the filtration one. The extracted zein via both protocols presents promising antioxidant activity.