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{{Tone|date=August 2023}}
{{Tone|date=August 2023}}
[[File:6925Corncobs in the Philippines Putok na Bigas 33.jpg|thumb|A cross-section of an ear of corn, showing the cob.]]A '''corncob''', also called '''corn cob''' or '''cob of corn''', is the hard core of an ear of [[maize]], bearing the kernels, made up of the chaff, woody ring, and [[pith]]. Corncobs contain mainly [[cellulose]], [[hemicellulose]], and [[lignin]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gandam |first1=Pradeep Kumar |last2=Chinta |first2=Madhavi Latha |last3=Gandham |first3=A. Priyadarshini |last4=Pabbathi |first4=Ninian Prem Prashanth |last5=Konakanchi |first5=Srilekha |last6=Bhavanam |first6=Anjireddy |last7=Atchuta |first7=Srinivasa R. |last8=Baadhe |first8=Rama Raju |last9=Bhatia |first9=Ravi Kant |date=December 2022 |title=A New Insight into the Composition and Physical Characteristics of Corncob—Substantiating Its Potential for Tailored Biorefinery Objectives |journal=Fermentation |language=en |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=704 |doi=10.3390/fermentation8120704 |doi-access=free |issn=2311-5637}}</ref>   
[[File:6925Corncobs in the Philippines Putok na Bigas 33.jpg|thumb|A cross-section of an ear of corn, showing the cob.]]A '''corncob''', also called '''corn cob''' or '''cob of corn''', is the hard core of an ear of [[maize]], bearing the kernels, made up of the chaff, woody ring, and [[pith]]. Corncobs contain mainly [[cellulose]], [[hemicellulose]], and [[lignin]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gandam |first1=Pradeep Kumar |last2=Chinta |first2=Madhavi Latha |last3=Gandham |first3=A. Priyadarshini |last4=Pabbathi |first4=Ninian Prem Prashanth |last5=Konakanchi |first5=Srilekha |last6=Bhavanam |first6=Anjireddy |last7=Atchuta |first7=Srinivasa R. |last8=Baadhe |first8=Rama Raju |last9=Bhatia |first9=Ravi Kant |date=December 2022 |title=A New Insight into the Composition and Physical Characteristics of Corncob—Substantiating Its Potential for Tailored Biorefinery Objectives |journal=Fermentation |language=en |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=704 |doi=10.3390/fermentation8120704 |doi-access=free |issn=2311-5637}}</ref>   
However, during several instances of famine (especially in European countries throughout history), people have been known to eat the corncobs, especially the foamy middle part.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Dried and grinded corncobs have a high [[Dietary fiber|fiber]] content and thus can be used in dietary supplements.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bede Evelyn Njideka |last2=Mmuoasinam Beluonwu Chijioke |last3=Onuegbu Ngozika Chioma |last4=Ahaotu Ndidiamaka Nnennaya |last5=Peter-Ikechukwu Anne Iheduzaju |date=2020-07-30 |title=Maize cob as dietary fiber source for high-fiber biscuit Primary tabs |url=https://gsconlinepress.com/journals/gscbps/content/maize-cob-dietary-fiber-source-high-fiber-biscuit |journal=GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=138–144 |doi=10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.1.0203}}</ref> Corn cob powder can also be mixed with flour to improve the nutritional quality of baked goods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Islam |first1=Fakhar |last2=Imran |first2=Ali |last3=Afzaal |first3=Muhammad |last4=Saeed |first4=Farhan |last5=Asghar |first5=Aasma |last6=Shahid |first6=Sumaira |last7=Shams |first7=Arooj |last8=Zahra |first8=Syeda Mahvish |last9=Biswas |first9=Sunanda |last10=Aslam |first10=Muhammad Arslan |date=May 2023 |title=Nutritional, functional, and ethno-medical properties of sweet corn cob: a concurrent review |url=https://academic.oup.com/ijfst/article/58/5/2181/7807598 |journal=International Journal of Food Science & Technology |language=en |volume=58 |issue=5 |pages=2181–2188 |doi=10.1111/ijfs.16338 |issn=0950-5423}}</ref>
However, during several instances of famine (especially in European countries throughout history), people have been known to eat the corncobs, especially the foamy middle part.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Dried and grinded corncobs have a high [[Dietary fiber|fiber]] content and thus can be used in dietary supplements.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bede Evelyn Njideka |last2=Mmuoasinam Beluonwu Chijioke |last3=Onuegbu Ngozika Chioma |last4=Ahaotu Ndidiamaka Nnennaya |last5=Peter-Ikechukwu Anne Iheduzaju |date=2020-07-30 |title=Maize cob as dietary fiber source for high-fiber biscuit Primary tabs |url=https://gsconlinepress.com/journals/gscbps/content/maize-cob-dietary-fiber-source-high-fiber-biscuit |journal=GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=138–144 |doi=10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.1.0203|doi-access=free }}</ref> Corn cob powder can also be mixed with flour to improve the nutritional quality of baked goods.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Islam |first1=Fakhar |last2=Imran |first2=Ali |last3=Afzaal |first3=Muhammad |last4=Saeed |first4=Farhan |last5=Asghar |first5=Aasma |last6=Shahid |first6=Sumaira |last7=Shams |first7=Arooj |last8=Zahra |first8=Syeda Mahvish |last9=Biswas |first9=Sunanda |last10=Aslam |first10=Muhammad Arslan |date=May 2023 |title=Nutritional, functional, and ethno-medical properties of sweet corn cob: a concurrent review |url=https://academic.oup.com/ijfst/article/58/5/2181/7807598 |journal=International Journal of Food Science & Technology |language=en |volume=58 |issue=5 |pages=2181–2188 |doi=10.1111/ijfs.16338 |issn=0950-5423|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


The cob is not toxic to humans and can be digested, but the outside is rough and practically inedible in its original form. The foamy part has a peculiar texture when mature and is completely bland, which most people would find unappealing, due to the consistency similar to foam plastic.
The cob is not toxic to humans and can be digested, but the outside is rough and practically inedible in its original form. The foamy part has a peculiar texture when mature and is completely bland, which most people would find unappealing, due to the consistency similar to foam plastic.


Corncobs are be used as [[biofuel]], as they are an efficient, cheap and an environmentally friendly source of heat when burned,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Asonja |first1=Aleksandar |first2=Desnica ,Eleonora |last3=and Radovanovic |first3=Ljiljana |date=2017-01-02 |title=Energy efficiency analysis of corn cob used as a fuel |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2014.881931 |journal=Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=1–7 |doi=10.1080/15567249.2014.881931 |bibcode=2017EneSB..12....1A |issn=1556-7249}}</ref> so they were traditionally used for roasting meat on the spit, barbecuing and heating the bread ovens, through the centuries. In the olden days, it was especially appreciated for its long and steady burning embers, also used for the ember irons.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
Corncobs are be used as [[biofuel]], as they are an efficient, cheap and an environmentally friendly source of heat when burned,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Asonja |first1=Aleksandar |first2=Desnica ,Eleonora |last3=and Radovanovic |first3=Ljiljana |date=2017-01-02 |title=Energy efficiency analysis of corn cob used as a fuel |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/15567249.2014.881931 |journal=Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=1–7 |doi=10.1080/15567249.2014.881931 |bibcode=2017EneSB..12....1A |issn=1556-7249|url-access=subscription }}</ref> so they were traditionally used for roasting meat on the spit, barbecuing and heating the bread ovens, through the centuries. In the olden days, it was especially appreciated for its long and steady burning embers, also used for the ember irons.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}


[[File:Pannocchia sgranata.jpg|thumbnail|upright|A corncob with attached [[corn kernel]]s]]
[[File:Pannocchia sgranata.jpg|thumbnail|upright|A corncob with attached [[corn kernel]]s]]

Latest revision as of 22:16, 23 June 2025

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File:6925Corncobs in the Philippines Putok na Bigas 33.jpg
A cross-section of an ear of corn, showing the cob.

A corncob, also called corn cob or cob of corn, is the hard core of an ear of maize, bearing the kernels, made up of the chaff, woody ring, and pith. Corncobs contain mainly cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.[1]

However, during several instances of famine (especially in European countries throughout history), people have been known to eat the corncobs, especially the foamy middle part.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Dried and grinded corncobs have a high fiber content and thus can be used in dietary supplements.[2] Corn cob powder can also be mixed with flour to improve the nutritional quality of baked goods.[3]

The cob is not toxic to humans and can be digested, but the outside is rough and practically inedible in its original form. The foamy part has a peculiar texture when mature and is completely bland, which most people would find unappealing, due to the consistency similar to foam plastic.

Corncobs are be used as biofuel, as they are an efficient, cheap and an environmentally friendly source of heat when burned,[4] so they were traditionally used for roasting meat on the spit, barbecuing and heating the bread ovens, through the centuries. In the olden days, it was especially appreciated for its long and steady burning embers, also used for the ember irons.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

File:Pannocchia sgranata.jpg
A corncob with attached corn kernels

When harvesting corn, the corncob may be collected as part of the ear (necessary for corn on the cob), or instead may be left as part of the corn stover in the field, which may improve soil quality.[5]

Uses

Agricultural

  • Bedding for animals — cobs absorb moisture and provide a compliant surface[6]
  • Fiber in fodder for ruminant livestock (despite low nutritional value)
  • Diluent/carrier/filler material in animal health products, agro-chemicals, veterinary formulations, vitamin premixes, pharmaceuticals, etc.[7]
  • Soil conditioner, water retainer in horticulture[7]

Culinary

Corncobs are not frequently consumed after the corn has matured. Young ears of corn are harvested while the cob is still tender and are eaten whole. Baby corn is common in stir fries and Thai cuisine.[8] The cob can still be used for cooking, after the corn has matured:

  • Corn cobs are used to flavor stock.[9]
  • Corn milk is made utilizing whole ears of corn.[10]

Pest control

Industrial

  • Industrial source of the chemical furfural[11]
  • Absorbent media for safe disposal of liquid and solid effluents[7]

Other products

  • Ground up and washed (then re-dried) to make cat litter
  • A mild abrasive for cleaning building surfaces, when coarsely ground
  • Bowl material for corncob pipes[12]
  • As a biofuel[13]
  • Charcoal production
  • Anal hygiene[14]
  • The body of a doll[15]

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Corn

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