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Zea mays starch is a natural, renewable, biodegradable, and environment-friendly ingredient that absorbs moisture and oil, making it useful for reducing shine on the skin and hair.
Zea mays starch is a versatile ingredient widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and absorbent.
Pure Zea mays starch provides a white, smooth, grit-free texture and enhances the sensory attributes of personal care formulations by improving flowability, spreadability, and stability.
CAS Number: 9005-25-8
EC Number: 232-679-6
Chemical Formula: (C6H10O5)n
Molecular Weight: 162.14 g/mol
Synonyms: Zea mays starch, STARCH, ZEA MAYS, OPICAL STARCH, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, 5-[5-[3,4-DIHYDROXY-6-(HYDROXYMETHYL)-5-METHOXYOXAN-2-YL]OXY-6-[[3,4-DIHYDROXY-6-(HYDROXYMETHYL)-5-METHOXYOXAN-2-YL]OXYMETHYL]-3,4-DIHYDROXYOXAN-2-YL]OXY-6 (HYDROXYMETHYL)-2-METHYLOXANE-3,4-DIOL, CORN STARCH
Zea mays starch is a natural starch derived from corn (maize).
Zea mays starch is widely used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
In food production, Zea mays starch serves as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and anti-caking agent in sauces, soups, and baked goods.
In the pharmaceutical industry, Zea mays starch is commonly used as a binder and disintegrant in tablets.
In cosmetics, Zea mays starch is included in skincare and makeup products for its absorbent and mattifying properties.
Zea mays starch is valued for being plant-based, biodegradable, and generally well-tolerated by the skin.
Zea mays starch is a substance with a high polymeric carbohydrate content that is typically made from the peeled seeds of the corn plant (Zea mays).
Zea mays starch and other ingredients of the corn plant like corn oil and corn powder are widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industry due to their numerous functions such as abrasives, surfactants, skin and hair conditioning.
Zea mays starch is one of the corn origin, obtained from corn grains.
Zea mays starch is white and odorless.
The water content should not exceed 13% and the acid number should be 25.
Zea mays starch is used in hygienic powders, blushes and dry shampoos.
Zea mays starch has a softening and protective effect on the skin.
Zea mays starch is added to the first and higher grade powder up to 8% by weight.
Zea mays starch makes the skin resistant and has good absorption properties.
Zea mays starch is possible to use the advantages due to the possibility of contamination.
Zea mays starch is the starch derived from corn (maize) grain.
Zea mays starch is obtained from the endosperm of the kernel.
Zea mays starch is a common food ingredient, often used to thicken sauces or soups, and to make corn syrup and other sugars.
Zea mays starch is versatile, easily modified, and finds many uses in industry such as adhesives, in paper products, as an anti-sticking agent, and textile manufacturing.
Zea mays starch has medical uses as well, such as to supply glucose for people with glycogen storage disease.
Like many products in dust form, Zea mays starch can be hazardous in large quantities due to its flammability—see dust explosion.
When mixed with a fluid, Zea mays starch can rearrange itself into a non-Newtonian fluid.
For example, adding water transforms Zea mays starch into a material commonly known as oobleck while adding oil transforms Zea mays starch into an electrorheological (ER) fluid.
The concept can be explained through the mixture termed "cornflour slime".
Zea mays starch is a white/yellowish soft powder obtained by grinding dry seed cobs.
Zea mays starch, is a white to yellowish, fine powder with a characteristic odor.
Zea mays starch is suitable for use in many personal care applications.
Zea mays starch acts as a thickening agent and stabilizer.
Zea mays starch is derived from the corn plant.
Zea mays starch is a natural, renewable, biodegradable and environment friendly ingredient.
Zea mays starch can reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and helps to soothe and calm irritated or inflamed skin.
Zea mays starch is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin.
Zea mays starch improves the texture & feel of skin care products and bind ingredients together.
Zea mays starch absorbs moisture and oil making it useful for reducing shine on the skin and hair.
Zea mays starch is suitable for sensitive skin types.
Zea mays starch can also be used as a gentle exfoliant in facial scrubs.
Zea mays starch organic-certified natural polymer enhances sensory attributes and offers truly functional performance from certified organic technology.
Zea mays starch is a natural fine powder that may directly replace talc (an inorganic compound mainly containing magnesium silicate) in skincare formulations.
Zea mays starch effectively absorbs moisture and oil from the skin surface mattifying and providing a silky-soft feel.
Zea mays starch improves the texture of the final product, for powders it provides flowability and spread-ability, for creams, it's a non-irritating active carrier that stabilizes emulsions and raises creaminess and self-life.
Zea Mays is rich in oligosaccharides like Amylopectins that have probiotic and moisture-binding properties.
Like rice starch corn also contains Phytic acid that similar to hydroxy acids eliminates dead cells from the epidermis revealing refreshed and renewed skin.
Amylopectins and Phytic acid are good antioxidants protecting dermal cell membranes from the oxidative damage of free radicals.
Pure Zea mays starch provides a white, smooth, grit-free texture.
Zea mays starch is used primarily in baby powders but can also be utilized as a sensory modifier, viscosity agent, tack-reducing agent, binder, and excipient in a myriad of other personal care applications.
Zea mays starch is quite literally the starch derived from varietals of corn.
As a skin care ingredient, it’s most famously used as an absorbent that lends mattifying properties (helpful for controlling oily skin) and is also popular in makeup powders where it lends a dry yet silky feel and can be lighter on skin than some grades of talc.
Zea mays starch can also be incorporated to increase the viscosity of cosmetic solutions (similar to how corn starch is used in cooking to thicken food).
In additional capacities, Zea mays starch is blended with other ingredients to create film-forming properties on skin.
Zea mays starch may also be used as an abrasive agent, such as you might find in manual exfoliating products.
When formulated in this way, there’s potential for skin sensitization due to the abrasiveness and uneven shape of particles.
Interestingly, topical starches, such as Zea mays starch, are classified as skin protectants under the U.S. FDA monograph when formulated as an OTC (over the counter) active.
This means they serve to protect skin from harmful stimuli and provide relief to compromised skin.
These varying roles demonstrate that how an ingredient is incorporated into a formula plays a major factor in overall efficacy, aesthetics, functions, gentleness, and benefits.
In their 2013 report, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel surveyed 278 personal care products containing Zea mays starch ranging between 0.00002-99% concentration.
Based on their analysis, Zea mays starch is safe in these cosmetic practices of use.
Market Overview of Zea Mays Starch:
The Zea mays starch market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial sectors.
As a plant-based, biodegradable ingredient, Zea mays starch is gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative to synthetic additives.
The food industry remains the largest consumer, utilizing Zea mays starch as a thickener, stabilizer, and texturizer.
Meanwhile, the rising trend of clean-label and natural products is boosting Zea mays starch's use in cosmetics and personal care.
The pharmaceutical sector also contributes to market expansion due to Zea mays starch's role in tablet formulations.
Growing awareness of eco-friendly packaging and biodegradable materials further supports market demand.
North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are the key markets, with Asia-Pacific witnessing rapid growth due to increasing food processing and industrial applications.
Innovations in starch modification and the expansion of organic and non-GMO product lines are expected to shape the market's future.
Uses of Zea Mays Starch:
Zea mays starch has many uses like abrasive action, absorbent property, surfactant and cleansing, skin, and hair-conditioning, and viscosity controlling properties.
For a smooth application, Zea mays starch is used in emulsions (lotions, hair masks).
Zea mays starch can be used in mineral makeup, powder foundations, and eyeshadows.
Zea mays starch has some mattifying properties that help with greasiness and are good for oily skin.
In place of talc, a clay mineral that serves as a mattifying and absorbent agent, Zea mays starch is used.
Zea mays starch is used as a thickening agent and absorbs oils more effectively.
Zea mays starch also provides products with efficient spreadability, thereby preventing caking.
Significant compatibility with other ingredients enables a broader use in cosmetics.
Zea mays starch is used in emulsions (lotions, hair masks) for smooth application.
Zea mays starch can be used in mineral makeup; powder foundations are beneficial to oily skin as they have some mattifying benefits to help with oiliness, and it is used in eyeshadows.
Talc is a clay mineral found in cosmetics such as loose powders that acts as an absorbing/matting agent.
Zea mays starch is an alternative to talc.
Zea mays starch absorbs oils better, allows for efficient spreadability of products without causing clumping, and is used as a thickening agent.
Compatibility with other ingredients is important allowing for wider use in cosmetics.
Typical concentrations of Zea mays starch are 1-99%, 1-3% for Lotions.
Zea mays starch can also be used as an exfoliator to remove dead skin from the surface to reveal a clean smooth complexion.
Zea mays starch is used in emulsions (lotions, hair masks) for a smooth application.
Zea mays starch can be used in mineral makeup; powder foundations, as it has some mattifying benefits to help with greasiness, beneficial to oily skin and used in eyeshadows.
Zea mays starch absorbs oils better, gives efficient spreadability of products resulting in a non-caking and used as a thickening agent.
The compatibility with other ingredients is significant, allowing for wider use in cosmetics.
Typical concentration of Zea mays starch is 1-99%, For lotions 1-3%.
Zea mays starch can also be used as an exfoliator to remove dead skin from the surface, to reveal clean smooth skin.
Although mostly used for cooking and as a household item, Zea mays starch is used for many purposes in several industries, ranging from its use as a chemical additive for certain products, to medical therapy for certain illnesses.
Culinary:
Zea mays starch is used as a thickening agent in liquid-based foods (e.g., soup, sauces, gravies, custard), usually by mixing it with a lower-temperature liquid to form a paste or slurry.
Zea mays starch is sometimes preferred over flour alone because it forms a translucent, rather than opaque mixture.
As the starch is heated over 203 °F (95 °C), the molecular chains unravel, allowing them to collide with other starch chains to form a mesh, thickening the liquid (Starch gelatinization).
However, continued boiling breaks up the molecules and thins the liquid.
Cornstarch is usually included as an anticaking agent in powdered sugar (icing or confectioner's sugar).
A common substitute is arrowroot starch, which replaces the same amount of Zea mays starch.
Food producers reduce production costs by adding varying amounts of Zea mays starch to foods, for example to cheese and yogurt.
Chicken nuggets with a thin outer layer of Zea mays starch allows increased oil absorption and crispness after the latter stages of frying.
Non-culinary:
Baby powder may include Zea mays starch among its ingredients.
Zea mays starch can be used to manufacture bioplastics (like PLA used for 3D printing) and may be used in the manufacture of airbags.
Adhesive can be made from Zea mays starch, traditionally one of the adhesives that may be used to make paste papers.
Zea mays starch dries with a slight sheen compared to wheat starch.
Zea mays starch may also be used as an adhesive in book and paper conservation.
Medical:
Zea mays starch is the preferred anti-stick agent on medical products made from natural latex, including condoms, diaphragms, and medical gloves.
Zea mays starch has properties enabling supply of glucose to maintain blood sugar levels for people with glycogen storage disease.
Zea mays starch can be used starting at age 6–12 months allowing glucose fluctuations to be deterred.
Food Industry:
Zea mays starch is used as a thickening agent in soups, sauces, gravies, and puddings.
Zea mays starch acts as a stabilizer in processed foods and baked goods.
Zea mays starch serves as an anti-caking agent in powdered food products.
Zea mays starch is used as a filler in snacks and confectionery items.
Pharmaceutical Industry:
Functions as a binder and disintegrant in tablet formulations.
Zea mays starch is used as a filler in capsules and powders.
Zea mays starch helps improve the texture and stability of medicinal suspensions.
Cosmetic and Personal Care Products:
Zea mays starch is commonly used in powders, foundations, and dry shampoos for oil absorption.
Zea mays starch acts as a natural alternative to talc in baby powders.
Zea mays starch provides a smooth, matte finish in skincare and makeup products.
Industrial Applications:
Zea mays starch is used in papermaking to improve paper strength and texture.
Zea mays starch serves as an adhesive and thickener in textile and glue production.
Zea mays starch acts as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic polymers in packaging materials.
Medical and Healthcare:
Zea mays starch is used as a dusting powder for surgical gloves and medical devices.
Incorporated in wound care products for moisture absorption.
Benefits of Zea Mays Starch:
Effective oil and moisture absorber
Uniform particle size distribution
Low micro count
Non-irritating on skin in RIPT testing
Manufacture of Zea Mays Starch:
The corn is steeped for 30 to 48 hours, which ferments it slightly.
The germ is separated from the endosperm and those two components are ground separately (still soaked).
Next the starch is removed from each by washing.
The starch is separated from the corn steep liquor, the cereal germ, the fibers and the corn gluten mostly in hydrocyclones and centrifuges, and then dried. (The residue from every stage is used in animal feed and to make corn oil or other applications.)
This process is called wet milling.
Finally, the starch may be modified for specific purposes.
History of Zea Mays Starch:
Until 1851, Zea mays starch was used primarily for starching laundry and for other industrial uses.
A method to produce pure culinary starch from maize was patented by John Polson of Brown & Polson, in Paisley, Scotland in 1854.
This was sold as "Patented Corn Flour".
Brown & Polson were muslin manufacturers who had been producing laundry starch for the Paisley shawl industry and would become the largest starch producers in the UK.
Origin of Zea Mays Starch:
Warm water with dissolved sulphur dioxide is used to soften cleaned corn kernels in order to produce Zea mays starch.
Starch and protein are separated with the help of sulphurous acid, which is created when sulphur dioxide and water react.
In order to remove the hull and separate the germ from the starch-rich endosperm, softened corn kernels are then run through mild attrition mills.
The attrition mills produce a thick slurry of macerated kernels and whole germ after the addition of water.
The method for isolating the germ is density centrifugation.
The remaining hull and endosperm mixture is crushed and screened.
Finer protein and starch particles pass through while larger hull particles are retained on screens and removed.
By using centrifugation, the water slurry of starch and gluten protein is separated.
The process of treating the slurry of washed Zea mays starch with diluted mineral acid at an elevated temperature but below the gelatinization temperature for varying amounts of time results in hydrolyzed Zea mays starch.
The starch is filtered, washed, and dried after the acid has been neutralized with sodium carbonate and when it has reached the desired viscosity.
Names and varieties of Zea Mays Starch:
Called corn starch in the United States and Canada.
The term corn flour refers to cornmeal that is very finely milled; or, after wet processing with alkali, further grinding then drying, masa flour.
Zea mays starch is called cornflour in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel and some Commonwealth countries.
Distinct in these countries from cornmeal.
Cornflour is commonly derived from wheat in Australia.
The starch is extracted from the wheat kernel, and is sometimes referred to as 'wheaten cornflour'.
Handling and Storage of Zea Mays Starch:
Handling:
Avoid creating dust, as excessive dust can pose an inhalation hazard or explosion risk.
Use with adequate ventilation to prevent dust accumulation.
Handle with clean, dry equipment to prevent contamination.
Storage:
Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and strong oxidizing agents.
Maintain packaging integrity to avoid moisture absorption, which can cause clumping.
Stability and Reactivity of Zea Mays Starch:
Stability:
Stable under normal conditions.
Reactivity:
Non-reactive with most substances but may react with strong oxidizers.
Incompatible Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents (e.g., peroxides, chlorine).
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may form during combustion.
Conditions to Avoid:
Excessive heat, open flames, and sources of ignition.
First Aid Measures of Zea Mays Starch:
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air.
Seek medical attention if breathing difficulty occurs.
Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water.
No known skin irritation risks under normal conditions.
Eye Contact:
Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion:
Non-toxic, but if large amounts are ingested, drink water and seek medical advice if discomfort occurs.
Firefighting Measures of Zea Mays Starch:
Flammability:
Zea mays starch is a combustible dust.
Suitable Extinguishing Media:
Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO₂), or foam.
Firefighting Precautions:
Avoid high-pressure water streams, which can disperse dust and increase explosion risk.
Use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear.
Explosion Hazard:
Fine dust can form explosive mixtures with air.
Prevent dust accumulation in confined spaces.
Accidental Release Measures of Zea Mays Starch:
Personal Precautions:
Avoid inhalation of dust.
Wear protective equipment (mask, gloves) if necessary.
Environmental Precautions:
Prevent release into drains or waterways.
Cleanup Methods:
Use a vacuum or damp cloth to collect spills to minimize dust.
Avoid sweeping dry powder to prevent airborne dust.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protection of Zea Mays Starch:
Exposure Limits:
No specific occupational exposure limits, but general dust regulations apply (e.g., OSHA PEL for nuisance dust: 15 mg/m³ total dust).
Engineering Controls:
Use local exhaust ventilation to control dust levels.
Avoid sources of ignition in dust-prone areas.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Respiratory Protection:
NIOSH-approved dust mask if airborne dust is present.
Eye Protection:
Safety goggles or glasses in case of high dust exposure.
Skin Protection:
Gloves recommended for prolonged exposure.
Clothing:
Standard work clothing; avoid loose clothing in high-dust areas.
Identifiers of Zea Mays Starch:
CAS Number: 9005-25-8
Chem/IUPAC Name: 5-[5-[3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-[[3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxyoxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]-3,4-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyloxane-3,4-diol
EINECS/ELINCS No: 232-679-6
COSING REF No: 38946
CAS Number(s): 9005-25-8
EINECS number(s): 232-679-6
FDA UNII: O8232NY3SJ
Scientific Name: Zea mays starch
Common Names: Corn Starch, Maize Starch
CAS Number: 9005-25-8
E-Number: E1404 (Native Starch), E1422 (Modified Starch - Acetylated Distarch Adipate), E1442 (Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate), etc.
Chemical Formula: (C6H10O5)n
HS Code: 110812
INCI Name: Zea Mays (Corn) Starch
Properties of Zea Mays Starch:
Food energy (per 100 g serving): 381 kcal (1,590 kJ)
Nutritional value(per 100 g serving):
Protein: 0.3 g
Fat: 0.1 g
Carbohydrate: 91 g
Other information: density 0.54 g/ml
Appearance: White to off-white fine powder
Odor: Odorless
Taste: Neutral, slightly sweet
Solubility: Insoluble in cold water and alcohol; forms a gel-like paste in hot water
Texture: Smooth, silky, and lightweight
Chemical Formula: (C6H10O5)n
Specifications of Zea Mays Starch:
Appearance: White or off-white fine powder
Odor & Taste: Odorless and neutral
Solubility: Insoluble in cold water and alcohol; disperses in hot water to form a paste
Moisture Content: ≤ 14%
pH (10% solution): 4.0 – 7.0
Particle Size: Typically 90–99% passes through a 100-mesh sieve
Amylose Content: 20–30%
Amylopectin Content: 70–80%
Protein Content: ≤ 0.5%
Fat Content: ≤ 0.1%
Ash Content: ≤ 0.2%
Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Residue: ≤ 50 ppm (if applicable)
Total Plate Count: ≤ 1,000 CFU/g
Yeast & Mold: ≤ 100 CFU/g
E. coli: Negative
Salmonella: Negative
Staphylococcus aureus: Negative
