In order for zein, a potentially significant co-product of the bio-ethanol industry, to be used in new markets, improved isolation methods and improved zein based articles are needed. We have evaluated the ability of acetic acid to remove zein from corn gluten meal, distillers dried grains and ground corn. Acetic acid was found to remove zein more quickly, at lower temperatures and in higher yields when compared with alcoholic solvents. After 60 min at 25 ºC, approximately 50% of the zein in corn gluten meal was removed. The protein composition of the zein removed from corn gluten meal using acetic acid is very similar to that of commercial zein by SDS-PAGE. Films and electrospun fibers could be produced directly from the zein acetic acid solutions generated from corn gluten meal extraction. To provide improved product properties, glyoxal, in the presence of base, has been used to cross-link zein in melt processes. Both batch and by reactive extrusion melt processes were performed giving articles with improved properties. The melt processed glyoxal modified zein require additional heating in order to deliver the best properties. Improved properties could be realized with glyoxal amounts as low as 1% and base amounts as low as 0.19 µmoles of NaOH per gram of zein. The resulting zein articles had improved tensile strength and reduced solubility.