Removal of phenylalanine from aqueous solutions with thermo-chemically modified corn cobs as adsorbents

► Use of corn cobs for production of adsorbent (CCAC) for phenylalanine removal. ► CCAC presented meso and micropores and adequate surface chemical make-up. ► Elucidation of the predominant Phe adsorption mechanism. ► Maximum uptake capacity (109 mg g−1) comparable to those of synthetic adsorbents.