Different chemical methods and an enzymatic one were tested for protein extraction from Brazilian corn flour. The protein extraction yield was calculated using the values of protein and solid contents of the residues. For the chemical extraction, an alkaline solution, separately or in association with ethanol, was used as a solvent. The sequential alkaline-alcoholic method was the most efficient, having reached a yield of 88.2%. However, the alkaline method presents the advantage of not using ethanol, reducing the risks for health, as well as decreasing the costs of the process. For the enzymatic extraction, a protease of Bacillus liccheniformis was used. The time and the temperature used in this method influenced the extraction yield. The best results were obtained for 5, 15 and 24 hours at 55°C, and the most advantageous condition from the economical point of view, was that one obtained for 5 hours at 55°C, having reached a yield of 83.8%.
brazilian corn flour; protein extraction; extraction yield
