A bioprocess and apparatus for the continuous production of novel masa and
whole-corn flours as cereal-base and functional-food ingredients. The
bioprocess includes providing a fine grind fraction of corn kernel;
combining the fine grind fraction of corn kernel with at least one
endoamylase to produce an enzyme-added fine grind; moist-heat precooking
the enzyme-added fine grind to obtain a pre-cooked enzyme-added fine
grind; low-moisture conditioning the precooked enzyme-added fine grind to
partially hydrolyze starchy endosperm and swell starch and aleurone-bran
granules to produce enzymatically conditioned corn kernel particles;
and_milling the conditioned corn kernel particles to obtain flour
comprising a fine grind portion of the conditioned corn kernel particle.