Corn is one of the main grain crops both in Ukraine and globally, ranking third after wheat and rice. Its versatility lies in its uses: fodder, technical and food.
Corn has been used for food since ancient times. Corn flour is used in the confectionery industry to make biscuits, cookies, and casseroles. The grain is used to make food flakes, popcorn, cereals, food starch, syrup, and sugar. Vegetable oil is extracted from the germ, which is not only a high-calorie food but also has medicinal properties: it contains lecithin, which lowers blood cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis.
In addition, corn kernels are used to produce various soft drinks, foam-resistant beers, glycerin, organic acids (lactic, citric, acetic), and ethyl alcohol. The stalks and cobs are used to produce paper, cellulose, acetone, methyl alcohol, etc. It is estimated that more than 300 different products are made from corn, many of which, in turn, are raw materials for other products. For example, corn syrup is used to make rubber, paints, various antiseptics, oil solvents, etc.
As a fodder crop, it is used to provide livestock with concentrated feed, silage and green mass.