INDEX

Aim

Introduction

Classification

Experiment

INTRODUCTION
In our country corn (maize), besides being used as flour to make bread

(roti/chapatti), is also consumed in roasted form when the kernels

(Seeds) have not fully riened and still have enough moisture left in them

(milky stage). The ears (cobs) are generally peeled and outer green

leaves covering the cobs are thrown away to be consumed by animals.

We plan to make use of these leaves after drying for human

consumption, particularly as on ingredient of cakes, biscuits and fried

Maida (sieved wheat flour) preparations etc.

To the best of our knowledge, we are not aware of any such use of corn

cob leaves for human consumption.

Biscuits and cakes are generally made using Maida. Though, baking

soda is used while baking, excessive use of maida may cause

constipation in the long run as it is devoid of fibers. If long- term studies

do not show any adverse side effects, corn cob leaf powder may

become an important companion of food items devoid of fibers. Fibers

(roughage) are vital ingredient of human food and care particularly

useful for intestinal movement.

AIM
To study the presence of nutritionally important components like
glucose, protein, calcium and starch in the leaves covering corn (maize)
cob (ear).

MATERIALS USED:

1. Beaker
2. Funnel
3. Glass rod
4. Filter paper
5. China dish
 6. Test tubes
7. Boiling tube
8. Burner

CHEMICALS USED:
1. Corn Cob powder
2. Distilled water
3. Sodium hydroxide
4. Benedict reagent
5. Iodine solution
6. Biuret solution

THEORY

The idea originated in our mind while we were at a picnic spot and
observed a person selling roasted corn cob with a pile of such leaves
lying by his side.

LEADING PRODUCERS OF MAIZE

U.S.A BRAZIL INDIA CHINA MEXICO

U.P M.P. RAJATHAN

UDAIPUR PUNJAB
BHIWARA
 BIHAR

FIGURES OF MAIZE PRODUCTION

World:
Area- 1400 lakh hectares

India:
Area- 75.8 lakh hectares
Production- 147 lakh tones
Average- 19.38 Quintal/ hectare

Rajasthan:
Area- 9.7 lakh hectares
Production- 4.35 lakh tones
Average yield- 18.63 Quintal/hectare

Udaipur:
Area- 3.81 lakh hectares
Production- 4.35 lakh tones
Average yield- 18.49 Quintal/hectare
Bhilwara:
Area- 3.81 lakh hectares
Production- 4.35 lakh tones
Average yield- 18.49 Quintal/hectare

CHEMISTRY OF TEST
TEST FOR GLUCOSE:
1. Corn Cob + Distilled Heterogeneous
Powder Water Solution

2. Corn Cob + NaOH + Benedict Brown Colour

Powder (2-3 drops) Reagent Solution
(Green Coloured) (Approves
presence of Glucose)

TEST FOR STARCH:

1. Corn Cob + Distilled heat Heterogeneous
 Powder water Corn-Cob
(5 gm) (10 ml) Solution

2. Filtered 2-3 drops Solution Turns

Solution blue-black
of iodine solution (Approves presence of Starch)

TEST FOR PROTEINS:

1. Corn Cob + Distilled Heterogeneous
Powder water Corn-Cob
(1 gm) (10 ml) Solution

2. Clear upper + Burette heat Heterogeneous

Solution Solution Solution
(0.5 ml) (0.5 ml) Approves presence
(Light Blue) of proteins)

PROCEDURE
1. First collect the leaves covering maize (corn) cob.
2. Discard the outer leaves and inner green leaves alone should
be used.
3. Dry the green leaves.

OBSERVATIONS:

In 2 kg Corn Cob 200gm fresh green leaves

Weight of silk 40gm

After drying we get 55gm leaves
+ 5gm silk
=60gm Total

The dry leaves and silk were powdered and sieved

Final weight obtained 30 gm

TEST INVOLVED

FOR GLUCOSE
1. Prepare the extract by dissolving Corn Cob powder in distilled
water, warm it and shake it.

Corn Cob + H2O Extract

Powder (10 ml) (Corn Cob)

2. Filter the extract and take the filtrate.

 3. To the filtrate add sodium hydroxide solution and Benedict
reagent (dissolved copper sulphate in water containing citric
acid sodium carbonate).

Filtrate + NaOH + Benedict

(Corn Cob) (2-3 drops) reagent
(green colour)

(Cu2O) Reddish Colour Solution

(Approves presence of
glucose)

FOR PROTEINS

1. Prepare the extract by dissolving Corn cob powder in distilled

water, warm it and shake it.

Corn Cob + H2O Extract

Powder (10 ml) (Corn Cob)

2. Filter the extract and take the filtrate.

3. To the filtrate add Biuret solution (Solution contains Mixture of
sodium hydroxide and copper sulphate.

Extract + NaOH + CuSO4 Bluish Violet

Corn cob (2 ml) (4-5 drops) Solution
(approves presence

of Proteins)

FOR STARCH
1. Prepare the extract by dissolving Corn Cob powder in distilled
water, warm it and shake it.
Corn Cob + H2 O Extract
Powder (10 ml) (Corn Cob)
2. Filter the extract and take the filtrate.

3. To filtrate add 2-3 drops of iodine solution.

Filtrate 2-3 drops Solution turns

(Solution) of iodine solution blue – black
 (Approves presence

of starch)

FOR CALCIUM
1. Prepare the extract by dissolving Corn Cob powder in distilled
water, warm it and shake it

Corn Cob + H2O Extract

Powder (10 ml) (Corn Cob)

2. Filter the extract and take the filtrate.

3. To the filtrate add NH4CI ( solid) and NH4OH (solution).

4. Now add (NH4)2CO3solution.
5. White ppt. will form. Dissolve the ppt. in hot dilute acetic acid.
6. After all add Ammonium Oxalate.

Filtrate + NH4CL(s) + NH4OH(I) + (NH4)2CO3(I)

(Solution)
(Corn Cob) (2-3 drops) reagent
(green colour)
 (CaCO3) + 2NH4CI

(white ppt.)
CaCO3 + 2CH3OOH (CH3OO)2Ca+CO2 H2O
(WHITE PPT.)

(CH3CO)2 + (NH4)2C2O4 2CH3OONH4+CaC2O4

(White ppt.)

The leaves were sun- dried for about 3 days and then after roasting
them briefly for 3-5 minutes, ground in a grinder. The ground material
was sieved and used for subsequent work (like detection of starch,
glucose, proteins etc). we even made a cake using Maida mixed with
this powder in the ratio (11:1::w/w) and enjoyed it with our friends.

OBSERVATION –TABLE

S.No Nutritive Inference

Components
1 GLUCOSE +ve
2 PROTEINS +ve
3 STARCH +ve
4 CALCIUM +ve

RESULTS
Maize Cob outer leaves contain Gluose, proteins, calcium and
starch.

PRECAUTIONS
1. Use clean and dry apparatus for every sample.
2. Handle sodium metal carefully.

3. Fusion extract should be clean and alkaline in nature.

4. Never take large amount of sodium.

5. Cover the beaker immediately with a wire gauge while

plunging the hot fusion tube into it otherwise the

unrelated sodium may fly cause injury.