MAIZE – A REMUNARATIVE & NUTRITIVE ALTERNATE CROP WITH GREAT DEMAND AS FOOD AND FEED FOR PEOPLE OF SRILANKA

Abstract

Maize is the most remunerative crop for its demand as food and feed. The area under maize is increasing steadily world over owing to its great utility as animal feed and poultry feed. The maize germs gives edible quality oil and modified maize starch is used for textile, paper, food, pharmaceuticals, adhesives plastics, bio-degradable films, fructose syrup etc. It is also an important cereal fodder which gives an excellent fodder quality when mixed with legume forages. The maize fodder is much preferred compared to pearl millet and sorghum since it does not contain any harmful substances like HCN and Oxalate. Among the several uses, the utilization of grains for preparation of poultry and animal feed, starches to replace glucose, starch glue for particle board, biscuits, confectionaries, beverages and weaning foods assumes importance. In the poultry and animal feed preparations maize grains are used to an extent of 40%. In wafer production, besides wheat, sorghum and soybean flours, a little quantity of pre-gelatinized maize flour is added. In maize, protein content varies from 8-9 %, the amino acid score is 53-78% and total calorific value is 330 cal/100g. In maize, endosperm protein is known as zein. This zein spins into good fibre and it is available in market and is used mostly in blends with wool for making garments such as socks, swim suits and sweaters.

Maize fetches more prices in the market and can be cultivated in diverse environmental conditions. Maize can also be used in different forms for human consumption.