Cereal, corn, originated between Mexico and Peru, although the wildest form has not been identified, since the cultivated corn was selected from wild maize varieties very early. Remains of wild corn varieties have been found that had already been used domestically in caves in southern Mexico in the year 5000-3400 BC. Corn also appears in Indian mythology and religion. The inhabitants of the islands of the Caribbean called it mahiz and the Spaniards adopted this name when they brought corn to Europe, in 1500. It was considered a novelty, but it was not cultivated in Europe until the 17th century. It spread throughout Italy, through the Balkans and through Russia to India and China. Since the Second World War, this plant, which is essentially tropical or subtropical, has been cultivated all over the world, although it is mainly used as animal feed in the USA. and in other industrialized countries, also as a source of protein (polenta, tortillas, corn, popcorn) and starches (puddings, starchy food, high quality biscuits, thickener for soups and sauces -Maizena, Mondamin-, cereals …).

Corn is not very important as an oleaginous plant, although corn germ oil is highly valued in physiological nutritional terms for its palmitic acid content and, mainly, for its content of high oleic acid and linoleic acid (there are large variations of an area of culture to another in the content of linoleic acid). The oil (the seedling has an oil content of about 35%) is obtained as a by-product of the process by which the corn is transformed into starch; first the fruit is soaked, then the germ is ground into large pieces, left to soak, separated and washed. Then the water is removed and the product is dried, which then goes through a pressure or extraction process. The crude oil is subsequently refined; Cold-pressed corn germ oil is rarely marketed. The clear, golden yellow oil, which gives off a weak smell and taste, is used as table oil. In the food sector, corn germ oil is used in the production of foodstuffs (margarine, mayonnaise, dietetic products, baby food). In the cosmetic industry, corn germ oil is also used in the production of soaps and hair care products. Corn germ oil is also used as a raw material for lubricants and leather care products in specialized industries.