Maize: A renewable source of energy and products

Abstract

Maize is one of the most important naturally renewable sources of carbohydrate raw materials, energy and series of diverse products. Although its role is not completely clear yet it can be freely stated that it is a crucial part of almost all aspects of our daily life, starting from a contemporary and healthy nutrition to a sustainable development and protection of the environment. Furthermore, an economic importance of maize is enormous. A collective review of previous accomplishments and a brief retrospective view of the state and prospects of the maize utilization development not only in our country but abroad too are presented in this paper.

Kukuruz je jedna od najznačajnijih prirodno obnovljivih ugljenohidratnih sirovina, energije i niza raznovsnih proizvoda. Iako njegova uloga nije uvek sasvim jasna slobodno se može reći da je on veoma važan deo u skoro svim aspektima našeg svakodnevnog života počev od savremene i zdrave ishrane do održivog razvoja i zaštite životne sredine. Pored toga, ima i ogroman ekonomski značaj. U ovom radu je dat zbirni prikaz dosadašnjih dostignuća i kratak osvrt na stanje i perspektive budućeg razvoja korišćenja kukuruza u našoj zemlji i u svetu.