Summary Protein‐enriched isolates and co‐product fractions were obtained from sheared, pale and black brewers' spent grain (BSG) using sequential aqueous and alkaline (110 mm NaOH) extraction, followed by isoelectric precipitation at pH 3.8. A recovery of 59% of the original pale BSG protein and 15% of the black BSG protein was obtained for the final isolates. Gel permeation HPLC (GP‐HPLC) revealed that 59% of the extracted pale BSG protein and only 6% of black BSG protein had a molecular mass >10 kDa. Glutamine/glutamate and proline were the most abundant amino acids present in both isolates. Analysis of four co‐product fractions obtained during fractionation from both pale and black BSG revealed the presence of phenolics, with higher concentrations in the black BSG extracts. These fractions possessed antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity when tested using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (0.16 ± 0.01 to 4.33 ± 0.11 mg Trolox equivalents g−1 BSG dry weight) and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (12.85 ± 1.16% to 59.50 ± 3.47% DPPH۠sc) assays, respectively. The protein‐enriched isolates and the phenolic‐rich extracts may find use as value‐added ingredients for incorporation into conventional and functional foods.

Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is a low-value co-product of the brewing industry produced in large quantities annually. This paper reviews the existing evidence regarding the phenolic component of BSG, focusing on composition, extraction and biofunctions such as antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. Furthermore, the incorporation of BSG in foodstuffs will be discussed, including the use of BSG as an animal feed supplement and the potential of BSG to be incorporated into foods for human consumption. BSG contains hydroxycinnamic acids including ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid; which have shown bioactivity in the pure form (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic and anti-cancer). Phenolic extracts from BSG have also shown antioxidant potential, by protecting against oxidant-induced DNA damage, possibly by Fe chelation. Studies show that BSG has many benefits when used as a supplement in animal feed, such as increasing milk yield, milkfat content and in providing essential dietary amino acids. The incorporation of BSG in human foods such as cookies and ready-to-eat snacks has resulted in increased protein and fibre contents of the products, where the changes in organoleptic properties are controllable. It can be concluded that the phenolic component of BSG has potential bioactive effects, which are worth pursuing given that the inclusion of BSG into human foodstuffs is viable and beneficial.

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