Author
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Rosentrater, Kurt |
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Submitted to: Inform
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 8/4/2009 Publication Date: 12/1/2009 Citation: Rosentrater, K.A. 2009. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) – A Key to the Fuel Ethanol Industry. INFORM. 20(12):789-791, 800. Interpretive Summary: Corn-based ethanol in the U.S. has dramatically increased in recent years; so has the quantity of associated coproducts. Nonfermentable components are removed from the process as whole stillage, centrifuged to remove water – which is then evaporated to produce condensed distillers solubles (CDS), and then is recombined with the centrifuge solids and dried to produce distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Each bushel of corn (56 lb) will result in nearly 2.9 gal of ethanol, 18 lb of CO2, and 18 lb of DDGS. DDGS are ~ 30% protein, 10% lipid, over 30% neutral detergent fiber, and up to 10% starch. Composition, however, can vary between plants and within a single plant over time. Distillers grains are primarily used as livestock feed, especially for beef and dairy, but also in swine and poultry as well. This helps to offset the use of corn for ethanol instead of feed or food. But there are many challenges associated with DDGS, including variability in nutrient content and quality; lack of an industry-wide quality grading system; inconsistent product identity and nomenclature; large quantities of energy required to remove water and the high cost of energy; moving DDGS to diverse and distant markets; potential mycotoxin contamination; and international marketing and export. Another challenge is poor flowability and material handling behavior. Technical Abstract: Corn-based ethanol in the U.S. has dramatically increased in recent years; so has the quantity of associated coproducts. Nonfermentable components are removed from the process as whole stillage, centrifuged to remove water – which is then evaporated to produce condensed distillers solubles (CDS), and then is recombined with the centrifuge solids and dried to produce distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Each bushel of corn (56 lb) will result in nearly 2.9 gal of ethanol, 18 lb of CO2, and 18 lb of DDGS. DDGS are ~ 30% protein, 10% lipid, over 30% neutral detergent fiber, and up to 10% starch. Composition, however, can vary between plants and within a single plant over time. Distillers grains are primarily used as livestock feed, especially for beef and dairy, but also in swine and poultry as well. This helps to offset the use of corn for ethanol instead of feed or food. But there are many challenges associated with DDGS, including variability in nutrient content and quality; lack of an industry-wide quality grading system; inconsistent product identity and nomenclature; large quantities of energy required to remove water and the high cost of energy; moving DDGS to diverse and distant markets; potential mycotoxin contamination; and international marketing and export. Another challenge is poor flowability and material handling behavior. |
