Guide Note
Corn is a domesticated grain with many varieties used in food, food products, synthetics, and fuels. Apparently first domesticated in Mexico approximately 9,000 years ago, corn is known as "maize" in many countries other than the United States.
Fast Facts
- Largest crop in the Americas
- American corn exported: 30%
- Percent of Grocery Store Items Containing Corn: 20%
- Corn Genome Sequenced: 2008
- Primary Use: Feed stock
- Corn-based Fuel: Ethanol
Non-Food Corn Products
Parts of the corn plant are used in many different products across a wide range of industries.
Finely ground corncobs are absorbent and nearly dust-free, making them ideal ingredients for pesticides, vitamins, cosmetics, and cat litter.
Resin derived from processed corncobs are used as solvents in paints and varnishes.
Antibiotics are grown in a nutrient solution that includes corn syrup, corn starch, and corn-derived dextrose.
Corn starch is used in the production of the porcelain component of spark plugs.
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