Abstract
The brewing industry generates, as the primary coproduct, brewers’ spent grain (BSG). In Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, there are 17 companies that generated 282 tons of BSG by 2016. Cattle feeding is the most common type of disposal for this waste. However, it can be valorized for the production of bioenergy or as a source of added-value products. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to assess the physicochemical properties of the brewers’ spent grain from a local craft brewery, to choose the most appropriate exploitation route. Chemical and morphological analyses were carried out by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy, and the higher heating value determination. The results of the proximate analyses were 72.32% moisture, 78.47% volatile matter, 17.48% fixed carbon, and 4.05% ash. The results of the chemical analysis for extractables were 5.23% using organic solvent and 50.25% using hot water. The content determination were 17.13% lignin, 26.80% cellulose, and 37.17% hemicellulose. The results of the ultimate analysis were 43.59% C, 6.18% H, 3.46% N, and 37.22% O. The higher heating value experimentally obtained was 18.70 MJ/kg. Moreover, in the EDX analysis, Ca, P, K, and S were mainly found. It is recommendable to valorize the BSG through the xylitol, bioethanol or biogas production, because of its high moisture, hemicellulose and cellulose content.
Highlights
Alcoholic beverage production contributes significantly to the economy of many countries [1]
The physicochemical characterization of spent grain samples generated in a brewery in Mexicali, Baja California was performed, yielding results that are indicative of the potential reuse of this waste
It is necessary to valorize the economic viability exploitation of the brewers’ spent grain (BSG) generated by breweries, whether to produce high-value bioproducts or bioenergetics through biochemical conversion pathways
Summary
Alcoholic beverage production contributes significantly to the economy of many countries [1]. Beer is the alcoholic beverage that has experienced a significant increase in its expansion in terms of historical production, consumption and diffusion worldwide [2]. Small breweries multiply almost daily in some countries, which are known as craft breweries [2]. In 2016, world beer production reached 195,747.7 million liters. The leading beer producing countries are China, the United States, Brazil and Mexico. Mexico positioned itself in fourth place, producing 5.36% of beer worldwide in 2016, with 10.5 billion liters [4]. In 2016, the Beer Association of Mexico reported 400 formal producers of craft beer in Mexico, which had a production of 6.52 million
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