Utilization of corn cobs liquid smoke for germination test and growth of corn seeds (Zea mays).

Corn (Zea mays L.) cob is one of the organic wastes that so far has not been widely used as a product that has added value. Corn cob can be used for making liquid smoke because it contains 45% cellulose, 35% hemicellulose, 15% lignin, and 9.4% water content. The method used for making liquid smoke is pyrolysis using a pyrolyzer. In this study, the performance testing of liquid smoke tools was conducted. The resulting liquid smoke was subjected to chemical and physical characterization, as well as testing the germination and growth of corn seeds with the test method of paper rolled and erected in plastic. The study of making liquid smoke from corn cobs showed that the liquid smoke yield was 24.13%, the density was 1.0193 g/cm³, and the pH value was 3.406, which meets Japanese standards. GC-MS analysis results showed the diversity of chemical components in corn cob liquid smoke found in 34 types, and the highest element was acetic acid. The physical quality test results of corn cob liquid smoke produced a brownish-red color, pungent odor, and black tar deposits. The test results showed that the concentration of liquid smoke significantly affected seed germination and corn growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]