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Corn is much more than a vegetable
Mt. Pleasant FFA officers learn about many of the additional uses for corn
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — In tune with the ideals of FFA, Mt. Pleasant FFA officers Briar Bender and Kaylen Hunold acted as leaders in the community by attending last year’s Annual Henry County Corn Grower Banquet where they shared updates about their chapter and heard from Iowa Corn’s Director of Industrial Innovation Dr. Alex Buck.
During the banquet, Bender, Hunold, and other attendees heard fascinating insights from Buck about the approximate 4,000 everyday products many don’t realize are made with corn.
“For most of us thinking about corn, we think of the abundant fields across Iowa, but for me as a husband, dad, and doctor of organic chemistry, I think of all the other things corn is in and outside the field," Buck explains in a series of “Cornfluencer” videos from Iowa Corn on YouTube.
Buck explained that corn is not just a staple food crop but a key ingredient in over 4,000 products used in daily life. According to Buck, corn can be found in baby products such as baby powder and diapers due to its absorbent properties.
“Cornstarch is a common ingredient among baby products, ensuring that babies stay dry and comfortable throughout the day,” Buck said. He also pointed out that corn-derived superabsorbent polymers could soon replace oil-based materials in items like diapers.
In addition to its role in baby products, corn is also a common component in personal care items.
“Even your hair care routine often contains corn,” Buck said, noting that corn-derived citric acid is frequently found in shampoos and conditioners. In one of his Cornfluencer videos Buck joked that his own hair care routine benefits from corn-based ingredients.
Cold and flu season also sees the use of corn-based products, such as cough drops that contain corn syrup to provide sweetness and texture.
“Corn syrup helps make the shape and candy-like texture of these incredibly soothing drops, giving you relief,” Buck explained.
In a similar way, corn is found in chewing gum in the form of erythritol, a sugar alcohol derived from corn fermentation, as a zero-calorie sweetening agent.
According to Buck, Crest toothpaste even uses corn in the form of sorbitol. This ingredient helps keep the toothpaste from drying out and maintains the smooth texture.
Hand sanitizers rely on the use of corn to keep germs at bay. To use corn in this product, it is converted to cornstarch which is then converted into glucose and combined with yeast to produce ethanol which kills all those nasty germs, according to Buck.
Corn is even found Vitamin C.
“Vitamin C doesn’t come from squeezing a billion oranges,” Buck said. “It’s made from corn. We like to say the C in vitamin C stands for corn because it’s a main ingredient in these might immune system boosters. According to Mayo Clinic vitamin C is used by the body to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscles, collagen, and bone.”
Beyond health and hygiene products, corn plays a role in everyday household items such as candles and envelopes. Buck noted that matchsticks, commonly used to light candles, contain cornstarch, and envelope glue is made with nitrocellulose derived from corn.
“Do yourself a favor and share some corn this week in the form of a thank-you note,” he suggested.
Corn even contributes to the energy sector. Buck explains that ethanol isn't the only way corn provides energy; cornstarch is used in batteries to help with electrical conductivity and energy storage.
“Did you know that ethanol isn't the only way corn helps provide energy,” Buck said.
“Corn derivatives help energy flow in batteries, protect against fire, and even quadruple the battery’s capacity.”
As the Director of Industrial Innovation at the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Buck has spent over nine years managing research and business development projects aimed at discovering new plant-based chemicals, fuels, plastics, and other corn-derived products.
According to Buck, he directs “the identification, development, and commercialization of plant-based chemicals, fuels, and materials made from corn.”
Iowa Corn’s mission is to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. Buck emphasized that the same amount of land that was used in 1900 now produces eight times the amount of corn today, thanks to advancements in agricultural technology and research.
Iowa Corn works to develop products such as bio-based adhesives, textiles, and even corn-derived materials that could be used in brands like Lululemon in the future.
Bender and Hunold's participation in the banquet not only highlighted their dedication to agriculture but also their eagerness to bring valuable insights back to their chapter and community. Mt. Pleasant Ag Ed and FFA programs continue to focus on educating students about the evolving role of agriculture and encouraging them to explore innovative solutions for the future.
With agriculture playing a vital role in the economy of Henry County and the state of Iowa, events like the Henry County Corn Growers Banquet serve as important platforms for fostering knowledge and collaboration among farmers, industry professionals, and the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
