Sorption isotherm of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and its prediction using chemical composition

Abstract

Corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) has high feed value due to its nutritive contents. The ratio of wet distillers grains (WDG) and condensed distillers solubles (CDS) added during the production process determines the chemical composition of DDGS. Effect of changing this ratio on water sorption behaviour of DDGS, at different temperature, was studied. Five mathematical models were evaluated to explain the sorption behaviour of DDGS. Prediction of sorption isotherm from chemical composition using a four-component model was also investigated. DDGS followed a BET Type III isotherm with higher equilibrium moisture content at increasing relative humidity. Difference in the sorption isotherm curves of DDGS samples reduced as equilibrium relative humidity increased. Equilibrium moisture content of DDGS samples reduced with lowering of CDS quantity added during production process. Modified Halsey equation was found suitable for mathematically explaining the sorption behaviour of DDGS. Binding energy of water molecule with DDGS increased with lowering of CDS level. Sorption behaviour of DDGS can be predicted from the chemical composition of protein, sugar, minerals, starch, fibre and glycerol. Increase in CDS level increased the percent relative deviation of predicted values calculated using the modified four-component model and might be due to the interaction between the chemical compounds present in the samples.