The effect of lactic acid on starch yields of different corn hybrids w
as determined by wet-milling 18 commercial corn hybrids at three level
s of lactic acid. All 18 hybrid samples tested had higher starch yield
s when lactic acid was added to the steep solution, although the magni
tude of the increased starch yields varied between 2.9 and 12.0%. The
optimal lactic acid concentration for maximum starch recovery was foun
d to be between 0.55 and 1.67% lactic acid, by wet-milling nine of the
same 18 corn hybrids with seven levels of added lactic acid. Between
0.83 and 1.67% lactic acid, the starch yields of eight of the nine hyb
rids were constant (within +/-0.5%). Results showed that the average s
tarch yield across all hybrids decreased with a lactic acid concentrat
ion <0.55% and a lactic acid concentration >1.67%.