imported>OAbot: Open access bot: doi updated in citation with #oabot.

2025-03-17T04:32:28Z

Open access bot: doi updated in citation with #oabot.

New page

{{Short description|Fruit of corn}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2025}}[[File:Ab food 06.jpg|thumb|Maize kernels]][[Image:VegCorn.jpg|thumb|Kernels on the cob]]'''Corn kernels''' are the [[fruits]] of [[Maize|corn]] (called maize in many countries). Maize is a [[grain]], and the kernels are used in cooking as a [[vegetable]] or a source of [[starch]]. The kernel comprise [[endosperm]], [[Germ (grain)|germ]], [[pericarp]], and tip cap.

== Description ==
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 3195 Maize or corn.jpg|thumb|Multicoloured kernels on a single corn cob]]Corn kernels are the [[fruits]] of [[maize]]. Maize is a [[grain]], and the kernels are used in cooking as a [[vegetable]] or a source of [[starch]]. The kernels can be of various colors: blackish, [[blue corn|bluish-gray]], purple, green, red, white and yellow.

The kernel of maize consists of a [[pericarp]] (fruit wall) fused to the seed coat. This type of fruit is typical of the [[Poaceae|grasses]] and is called a [[caryopsis]]. Maize kernels are frequently and incorrectly referred to as [[seed]]s. The kernels are about the size of [[pea]]s, and adhere in regular rows round a white, pithy substance, which forms the ear.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Typical shapes of corn kernels include horse-tooth shape, sphereical cone shape, and spherical shape.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shi |first=Linrong |last2=Zhao |first2=Wuyun |last3=Yang |first3=Xiaoping |date=2022 |title=Effects of typical corn kernel shapes on the forming of repose angle by DEM simulation |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=156798356&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=International Journal of Agricultural & Biological Engineering |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=248–255 |doi=10.25165/j.ijabe.20221502.5670 |via=EBSCOhost|doi-access=free }}</ref>

=== Endosperm ===
About 82 percent of the corn kernel’s dry weight consists of [[endosperm]]. [[Starch]] is the primary source and it most widely used part of the kernel. It is known as the key component in fuel, sweeteners, [[Bioplastic|bioplastics]] and other products.

=== Germ ===
The germ is the only living part of the corn kernel, also called its embryo. It consists of the important genetic informal kernel.

=== Pericarp ===
The [[pericarp]] is the outer covering that protects the kernel and helps to maintain the kernel's nutrient value and moisture content. It is about 91% fiber. If the kernels are wet-milled, most of the pericarp will end up in the [[corn gluten feed]].

=== Tip cap ===
The tip cap is the attachment point of the kernel to the [[corn cob]], where the nutrient and water flow, and this is the only part that is not covered by the pericarp. It contains fiberproducts, in the form of [[high fructose corn syrup]], in favor of cane sugar.{{citation needed|reason=support for these claims|date=January 2016}} A [[gene]]tic variant that accumulates more sugar and less [[starch]] in the ear is consumed as a vegetable and is called [[sweet corn]].

When ground into [[flour]], maize yields more flour, with much less [[bran]], than wheat does. It lacks the protein [[gluten]] of wheat and, therefore, makes baked goods with poor rising capability.

It is also used in [[popcorn]], a common snack in the US.

== Biofuel ==
Corn kernels are used as [[solid fuel|pelletized fuel]] for [[pellet stove]]s and furnaces. Corn kernels are a natural pellet, which gives them an economic advantage over other man-made [[biomass]] pellets and [[wood pellets]].

The use of corn and other grains as a [[Corn ethanol|renewable biofuel]] may have environmental and cost benefits, compared to other energy sources, and may create additional forms of revenue for farmer
* [[Biofuel]]
* [[Corn wet-milling]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{corn}}

[[Category:Maize]]

Corn kernel - Revision history

imported>OAbot: Open access bot: doi updated in citation with #oabot.