Woo Moon-jae, a researcher at Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical, examines maysin extracted from corn silk. / Courtesy of Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical

Scientists are seeing progress in attempts to make a drink with anticancer substances from corn silk.

The Rural Development Administration (RDA) and Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical have succeeded in developing the technology to extract a large volume of maysin from “corn silk.” The chemical is a type of flavonoid thought to reduce cancer risk in certain cases.

Researchers compared multiple maize species and found that kwangpyungok, a genetically modified organism from the National Institute of Crop Science, contained the largest amount of maysin.

The protein compound is being studied for its effect in preventing metastases and its antioxidant activities.

Coupled with a new extraction method, RDA and Kwang Dong can extract up to 15 times more maysin from maize silk than before.

Woo Moon-jae, a researcher at the pharmaceutical company that currently produces corn silk, believes it will take more than three years before a drink with maysin can hit the market.

“With this production approach, the cost may up to three times the current price, Therefore it will be a while until we can make marketable products.

“Once we overcome these hurdles, I believe we can integrate maysin in various foods and medications,” Woo said.

Kwang Dong is exploring the potential for secondary trials with animals or human subjects with the RDA.