Corn distillers dried grains with solubles: Production, properties, and potential uses

Abstract

Background and objectives The grain‐based ethanol production has been increasing as the demand for biofuel additives increased, and the fossil fuel sources decreased. Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are a primary coproduct of bioethanol plants of the conventional corn dry‐grind process. With increasing corn‐based ethanol production, DDGS production is increased, and it has become a global commodity. Despite the high nutritional value of DDGS, however, its uses are still not fully explored. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the DDGS production process, chemical and physical properties, nutritional value, and the potential of using DDGS in cattle, fish, poultry feed, and human foods. The challenges of using DDGS in animal feed and human food are discussed. Findings Distillers dried grains with solubles has been identified as a protein substitute that is both readily available and competitively priced (per unit protein) compared to other conventional alternative protein sources. Researchers have discovered measures to boost DDGS quality and safety. Several approaches have been proposed to improve the DDGS digestibility and nutritional value. Although the benefits and risks associated with the DDGS uses are identified, more research is required to regulate the quality and safety standards for DDGS. Conclusions Versatile applications of DDGS will valorize this coproduct. The development of DDGS utilization enhances health and functional benefits to animals and humans; it also assists bioethanol plants economically. Significance and novelty The information will not only provide knowledge of DDGS in terms of its production process, nutritional value, and applications but, more importantly, explore the opportunities of developing new uses of this under‐utilized commodity.

Aflatoxin B1 Degradation by Ery4 Laccase: From In Vitro to Contaminated Corn

“…Contamination of corn grain with AFs is a concerning issue, especially in developing countries, where the majority of the product is self-produced by smallholder farmers in rural subsistence farming communities [ 15 ]. Despite being an important component of the human diet, corn is one of the main ingredients of livestock feed, it has multiple industrial uses, and its by-products find application in the energetic supply chain [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Turning Food Protein Waste into Sustainable Technologies

“…Corn syrup, produced from dry-grinding plants, has a high moisture level up to 70% and is rich in protein (up to 40% dry mass) and oil (up to 20%). However, because of the abundant presence of Na, K, and P, long-term effects of the use of this byproduct in animal diets have been questioned. − During corn milling processes for nutritional applications, the outer layers of the grains are removed in the form of maize bran, which is largely used as livestock feed due to the presence of dietary fibers and micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, and is also used to extract edible oil and dietary fibers. , …”

“…Ethanol is produced from corn through wet and dry milling, and it constitutes 70% of global production . The wet-milling process produces different byproducts, including corn gluten meal and feed, corn syrup, corn oil, and germ meal, while dry-milling results in the production of the main byproduct known as dried grains with solubles. − Dried grains are currently only practically employed as animal feed, primarily for ruminants due to the high fiber and protein content. − However, this coproduct is highly rich in sulfur, which can alter the homeostasis of the ruminal microbial population, resulting in thiamine deficiency (causing polioencephalomalacia) and enzymatic inhibition. , Corn gluten feed contains digestible fibers, starch (20%), and up to 25% of proteins, which makes it a valuable source of nutrients for cattle and ruminants and means it can be fed in large amounts. , Corn gluten meal, however, produced during wet milling after germ, fibers, and starch have been removed, has higher protein content (up to 70%) that is mostly ruminantly undegradable. Because of its high content of sulfur and phosphorus, and to its bitter taste, it is consumed moderately by animals and used mainly as a food additive, , although it can be fermented to improve its nutritional properties by producing soluble peptides.…”

Aflatoxin Decontamination in Maize Steep Liquor Obtained from Bioethanol Production Using Laccases from Species within the Basidiomycota Phylum

“…During bioethanol production, milling, liquefaction, enzymatic saccharification, fermentation, and ethanol purification are the main steps [ 5 ]. Milling can be wet or dry, with the second form being the most frequently employed to produce grits and flours, fats and fibre, and wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) or dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. At the end of the process, the ethanol is distilled, and solid residues are processed as sub-products to obtain nutritious animal feed [ 9 ].…”