Condensed Distillers Solubles Research Articles

Replacement of dietary corn with corn bran plus condensed distillers solubles effects on feedlot growth performance and carcass trait responses of beef steers.

Dry-corn milling biorefineries have the opportunity to install technology to fractionate corn prior to fermentation, which creates a product stream of fibrous bran that can be fed to cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of replacing dietary corn with corn bran and condensed distillers solubles (CBCDS) or wet-corn gluten feed (WCGF) on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization, and carcass characteristics in finishing steers. British × Continental steers (n = 240; initial body weight [BW] = 401 ± 43.2 kg) were assigned to the following dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD): 1) a control finishing diet with no corn milling coproducts; 2) a finishing diet that contained CBCDS at 20% replacement of dietary corn; and 3) a finishing diet that contained WCGF at 20% replacement of dietary corn. Dietary corn (50:50 of dry-rolled corn and high-moisture corn) was included at 81.5% for control diet-fed steers and 61.5% for steers-fed CBCDS and WCGF. Steers were fed for 145.5 d until visually appraised to have 1.27 cm of rib fat (RF) and were harvested at a commercial abattoir where carcass data were collected. Data were analyzed as an RCBD with pen as the experimental unit, treatment as a fixed effect and block as a random effect. There were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.28) between treatments for final BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion efficiency, observed dietary NE for maintenance (NEm), and NE for gain (NEg), or observed-to-expected NEm and NEg. Additionally, no differences (P ≥ 0.16) were noted between treatments for hot carcass weight, ribeye area, RF, marbling score, kidney–pelvic–heart fat, estimated empty body fat (EBF), BW at 28% EBF (AFBW), and distribution of USDA Quality and Yield grades. Control steers tended (P = 0.10) to have the highest calculated yield grade followed by WCGF and CBCDS. Furthermore, WCGF steers tended (P = 0.08) to have the highest calculated retail yield followed by CBCDS and control steers. Replacement NEm and NEg values of corn coproducts were determined to be 2.14 and 1.42 for CBCDS and 2.09 and 1.37 for WCGF, respectively. Thus, CBCDS can be included in finishing steer diets at 20% replacement of corn without detriment to growth performance or carcass characteristics.

Toward an Understanding of Physical and Biological Properties of Corn-Based Whole Stillage, Thin Stillage, and Condensed Distillers Solubles and Changes Thereof During Storage

The production of bio-based ethanol has been one of the fastest growing industries in the United States during the past decade. Thus, wider exploration of ethanol coproduct uses is necessary in the ethanol plant. Currently, process steams such as whole stillage, thin stillage, and syrup are processed into distiller dried grains with solubles and fed to livestock. The storability of whole stillage, thin stillage, and syrup influences the economic and energetic balances of fuel ethanol production. However, there are few investigations of the shelf life for these products or how to measure these quantities. The objectives of this research were to test physical and biological properties of whole stillage, thin stillage, and syrup and determine storability and allowable shelf life for these materials as influenced by storage temperature levels. Using standard laboratory methods, several properties were determined, including moisture content, water activity, thermal properties (conductivity, resistivity, volumetric heat capacity, and diffusivity), color, mold development, and CO2 production. Also, the separation processes due to settling were observed over 72 h. The thin stillage and whole stillage had relative high average moisture contents of 92% (w.b.) and 87% (w.b.), respectively, and a mean water activity of 0.99; the high water content marked samples easily susceptible to rapid spoilage. Time had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on properties of coproducts. Both thin stillage and whole stillage samples got mold growth after 5 days incubation at 32°C. Thin stillage had the greatest separation rate in the settling experiment. However, syrup had a relative low average moisture content of 62% and an average water activity of 0.92. No mold growth and settling separation happened in syrup samples. There was no evidence showing that a linear relationship exists between Hunter L*, a* and b*, and mold growth. The Solvita® test showed that high-temperature treatment caused high CO2 production in all samples. The exponential models described the relationship between storage time (from 0 to 5 days at 25 and 35°C) and CO2 concentration for the three coproducts. This study is a first step to explore opportunities for utilizing valuable components from these coproducts. Follow-up study should work on separation processes to concentrate the valuable components of these coproducts. Exploring the potential value of ethanol coproducts could maintain and improve the profitability of the ethanol industry.

Integrated process development for the efficient and industrial production of 2,3‐butanediol and bioethanol using dried cassava chips as commercial biomass

AbstractBACKGROUNDFor the efficient use of cassava as industrial material in the fermentation business, an integrated process was developed to produce 2,3‐butanediol (2,3‐BDO) and bioethanol (BE) by a highly efficient and economical method. After separating the liquefied cassava into a solid and a liquid part, the liquid part was used to produce 2,3‐BDO, and the solid part was then used to produce BE.RESULTSThe integrated process efficiently fermented 1000 g of dried cassava to 288 g of 2,3‐BDO (120.1 g L−1 titer and 2.39 L fermented broth) and 57 g of BE (38.4 g L−1 titer and 1.49 L fermented broth). Also, fermentable sugar of cassava was 100% available for this process, and the byproduct of BE production, condensed distillers solubles (CDS), was used as a potential nutrient source for the economical production of 2,3‐BDO.CONCLUSIONAn integrated process with simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), pH shift, and rpm shift was developed to enhance 2,3‐BDO production and to reduce the production cost of 2,3‐BDO and BE. The strategy of employing cassava as a starchy biomass‐based biorefinery resource for 2,3‐BDO and BE production was successfully performed. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Digestion characteristics and prediction of digestible energy and total digestible nutrients in beef cattle finishing diets containing traditional and by-product lipid sources

Our objective was to determine effects of supplemental fat sources on digestion and energy predictions in feedlot diets containing several lipid sources. Five ruminally fistulated steers (520 ± 41 kg of BW) were fed in a 5-period Latin square design. Dietary treatments included control (CORN) or 4 finishing diets containing (1) 4.8% added corn oil (OIL), (2) 4.8% beef tallow (TAL), (3) 25.5% corn condensed distillers solubles (CCDS), or (4) 56% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Total-tract OM digestibility was multiplied by dietary OM content to determine digested OM (DIGOM; % of DM). Measured dietary DE (Mcal/kg) was converted to TDN using 4.4 Mcal of DE/kg of TDN. The unsaturated-to-saturated total fatty acid ratio of omasal samples of steers fed WDGS was greater than that for other treatments ( P = 0.01). Apparent total-tract diet NDF digestibility was least for steers fed OIL ( P < 0.04). The difference between TDN (% of DM) and DIGOM (% of DM) increased ( P < 0.01) as dietary GE increased across treatments. These results suggest DIGOM (% of DM) does not relate to TDN (% of DM) on a consistent basis when high-fat by-products are used and that measured DE (Mcal/kg) is needed to predict performance. In finishing diets containing WDGS, additional DE is not accounted for when evaluating only DIGOM. Measuring DE content of diets used in digestion trials is important when trying to estimate feeding values.

256 Evaluation of Replacement of Dietary Corn with Corn Bran Plus Condensed Distillers Solubles on Growth Performance and Carcass Trait Responses in Finishing Beef Steers

Abstract This experiment evaluated replacing dietary corn (50:50 blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture) with corn bran plus condensed distillers solubles (CBCDS) on finishing phase growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization, comparative NE value, and carcass trait responses in finishing beef steers. This study used 30 pens of 8 steers/pen assigned to one of three treatments in a randomized complete block design (initial BW=401±43.2 kg); pen served as the experimental unit. Treatments included: 1) finishing diet that contained no corn co-product (Control); 2) finishing diet that contained a dry-corn milling bio-refinery product (20% DM basis inclusion) that replaced corn in the diet: CBCDS; 3) finishing diet that contained a wet-corn milling co-product (20% DM basis inclusion) that replaced corn in the diet: wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). For all analyses, an α of 0.05 determined significance and an α of 0.06 to 0.10 was a tendency. No differences were detected (P ≥ 0.58) among treatments for carcass-adjusted final BW (HCW/0.6433), ADG, or G:F. Observed NE for maintenance and gain was not impacted (P ≥ 0.28) by treatment. No appreciable influence for treatment was detected for the ratio of observed to expected dietary NE for maintenance or gain (P ≥ 0.40). Replacement NEm and NEg values (Mcal/45.4 kg) were determined to be 93.5 and 62.3 for CBCDS and 91.5 and 60.5 for WCGF. There was no influence (P ≥ 0.16) of treatment on DP, HCW, REA, RF, USDA Marbling, KPH, EBF, or final BW at 28% EBF. Treatment tended to influence (P = 0.10) YG, where steers fed WCGF had lesser YG than Control; however, CBCDS diet was intermediate, not differing from WCGF or Control. Distribution of USDA Quality and Yield Grade did not differ (P ≥ 0.29) among treatments. Substitution of corn for CBCDS at 20% of dietary DM can occur without detriment to growth performance or carcass traits.

IN VITRO PROTEIN SOLUBILITY AND SOLUBILIZATION OF SELECTED FEEDSTUFFS FOR RUMINANT FEEDING

Protein solubility in mineral buffer, and protein degradability with bacterial protease, of condensed distillers solubles, distillers dried grains, brewers dried grains, raw, roasted and extruded soybeans, corn silage, haycrop silage, hay, corn gluten feed, multiage solulac and lactosy-urea (Ewoplus) were in­vestigated for use in ruminant feeding. The proteins of distillers dried grains, brewers dried grains, roasted and extruded soybeans and corn gluten meal were highly Insoluble in mineral buffer with average solubilities of 4.50%, 10.47%, 8.07%, 13.12% and 5.40% respectively. Lactosyl­urea (Ewoplus) was 100% soluble. The protease of streptomyces griseus was used to determine protein degradability. The degradable proteins of distillers grains, brewers grains, raw and roasted soybeans, and corn gluten meal were resis­tant to protease action. Extruded soybeans, distillers solubles, forage feedstuffs and Ewoplus were readily degradable.

INFLUENCE OF CORN CONDENSED DISTILLERS SOLUBLES (CCDS) ON RATION DIGESTIBILITY. NITROGEN/ENERGY UTILIZATION AND RUMEN FLUID CHARACTERISTICS OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS

Digestion and Balance trials were conducted with 18 lactating dairy cows in their 7-8 weeks of lactation using 7 day total collection to determine nitrogen and energy balance and digestibility of ration nutrients by lactating dairy cows fed three levels (0.8 and 16%) of corn condensed distillers solubles (CCDS). Cows were fed treatment rations for 4 weeks before collection. Following digestion and balance trials, rumen fluid samples were collected esophagially before feeding and 3 hours after feeding to determine the influence of CCDS on rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids. Corn condensed distilers solubles significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved the digestibility of the neutral detergent fiber and ether extract but depressed the digestibility of the ash. Apparent nitrogen retention was significantly (P &lt;0.05) lower for animals on 8% CCDS ration. There were no significant differences in energy utilization among groups. Corn condensed distilers soluble did not significantly affect rumen pH, but depressed rumen ammonia nitrogen. On molar percentage basis, animals on the 8% CCDS ration had significantly (P&lt; 0.05) higher acetate in the rumen 3 hours after feeding. Other VFA remained relatively unaffected by treatments.

Effects of compositional variables on fouling behavior of thin stillage

The presence of fouling in evaporators can increase energy consumption as well as capital and labor costs. During corn ethanol production, fouling occurs when thin stillage is concentrated in multiple effect evaporators to form condensed distillers solubles. Limited studies have been conducted on fouling of corn ethanol processing. Process streams are biological in origin and have variable compositions. The objective of this study was to develop an improved understanding of components that accelerate fouling of thin stillage evaporators. An annular fouling probe was used to evaluate compositional variables on fouling behavior of dry grind corn thin stillage. Three experiments were performed with commercial processing streams. In the first experiment, the effects of carbohydrate materials in thin stillage on evaporator fouling were investigated by adding starch and sucrose. In the second experiment, commercial thin stillage samples were treated by adding wet cake. The third experiment was designed to observe if the age of thin stillage sample would affect fouling. The results indicate that fouling resistances increased with starch addition, as well as with wet cake addition, at equal total solids contents. Insoluble starch addition had larger effects than soluble sucrose addition. Sucrose alone did not cause increased rapid fouling.

Effects of nitrogenous substances on heat transfer fouling using model thin stillage fluids

Fouling is unwanted deposition of materials on surfaces of processing equipment, which leads to additional capital investment and lower processing efficiency. During fuel ethanol production, fouling occurs when thin stillage is concentrated into condensed distillers solubles. Investigations of protein impact on fouling are limited despite high protein concentration in thin stillage (17–33%db). Protein contributions to fouling have been verified in the dairy industry. Whey proteins and calcium phosphate interact with each other or other proteins and form aggregates on heated surfaces. Due to the complex biological composition of thin stillage, it is difficult to study a single effect on fouling without interference from other factors. The objective was to investigate fouling properties of nitrogenous substances (urea and yeast) using model fluids; effects of protease addition on fouling properties of model and commercial thin stillage fluids. Urea addition did not lead to fouling while glucose-yeast model fluids displayed fouling tendencies. Protease from pineapple stem (bromelain) incubation increased fouling in model and commercial fluids, which were indicative that hydrolyzed molecules such as peptides, amino acids or protease can be involved in deposit formation.

Finishing performance and diet digestibility for feedlot steers fed corn distillers grains plus solubles and distillers solubles with and without oil extraction.

Three experiments evaluated the effects of corn oil removal using centrifugation in ethanol plants, on animal performance and digestion characteristics by finishing cattle fed by-products. In Exp. 1, 225 crossbred steers (300 ± 9.1 kg) were utilized in a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors consisted of oil concentration [de-oiled (DO) or full fat (FF)] and by-product type [condensed distillers solubles (CDS) or modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS)] compared to a corn-based control. Fat concentration was 6.0% for DO CDS, 21.1% for FF CDS, 9.2% for DO MDGS, and 11.8% for FF MDGS. No oil concentration by by-product type interactions (P ≥ 0.17) were observed. There were no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F between DO and FF CDS (P ≥ 0.29) or DO and FF MDGS (P ≥ 0.58). No differences (P ≥ 0.25) due to oil concentration were observed for carcass characteristics. Experiment 2 was a 5 × 5 Latin Square digestion trial with treatments similar to Exp. 1. Fat concentration was 8.7% or 15.4% for DO or FF CDS and 9.2% or 12.3% for DO or FF MDGS. Intake and total tract digestibility of fat were greater (P ≤ 0.02) for FF CDS compared with DO CDS. Digestible energy (megacalorie per kilogram), adjusted for intake, was greater (P = 0.02) for steers fed FF CDS compared to DO CDS. Average ruminal pH for cattle fed FF MDGS was greater than DO MDGS (P = 0.06). In Exp. 3, 336 yearling, crossbred steers (352 ± 19 kg) were utilized in a randomized block design with a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included oil concentration (DO or FF) and inclusion [35%, 50%, and 65% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS)] along with a corn-based control. The fat concentrations of DO and FF WDGS were 7.9% and 12.4%, respectively. A linear interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for DMI, which produced different slopes for DO and FF WDGS. No linear or quadratic interactions were observed for BW, ADG, or G:F (P ≥ 0.31). For the main effect of oil concentration, there were no statistical differences (P > 0.19) for final BW, ADG, or G:F. No statistical differences were observed for all carcass traits (P ≥ 0.34). Corn oil removal via centrifugation had minimal impact on finishing performance suggesting that cattle fed DO by-products will have similar performance to cattle fed FF by-products in dry-rolled and high-moisture corn diets.

Evaluating field peas as an energy source for growing and finishing beef cattle

ABSTRACT Field peas were evaluated in beef growing and finishing diets in a 2-yr experiment. A total of 114 steers (initial BW = 348 kg, SD = 22 kg) in yr 1 and 114 heifers (initial BW = 249 kg, SD = 11 kg) in yr 2 were used in a 3 × 2 factorial. The first factor was grazing supplementation (0.5% BW, DM basis) with the following treatments: (1) field pea (FP); (2) blend of 70.8% corn, 24% corn condensed distillers solubles, and 5.2% urea (CB); and (3) no supplement (CON). The second factor was presence or absence of 20% FP in finishing diets. Growing phase ADG was greatest for CB, followed by FP and CON (0.99, 0.87, and 0.69 ± 0.08 kg for CB, FP, and CON, respectively; P

Increasing corn distillers solubles alters the liquid fraction of the ruminal microbiome.

Five ruminally fistulated steers were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design to determine the effects of increasing dietary fat and sulfur from condensed distiller's solubles (CDS) on the ruminal microbiome. Treatments included a corn-based control (CON) and 4 levels of CDS (0, 10, 19, and 27%) in a coproduct-based (corn gluten feed and soybean hulls) diet. Fat concentrations were 1.79, 4.43, 6.80, and 8.91% for diets containing 0, 10, 19, and 27% CDS, respectively. Steers were fed for ad libitum intake once daily. After feeding each diet for 18 d, ruminal samples were collected 3 h after feeding on d 19. Samples were separated into solid and liquid fractions. Microbial DNA was extracted for bacterial analysis using paired-end sequencing of the V3 through V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on the MiSeq Illumina platform and quantitative PCR of selected species. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of CDS inclusion. Increasing CDS inclusion decreased (linear, < 0.05) α-diversity and species richness in the liquid fraction. Analysis of Bray-Curtis similarity indicated a treatment effect ( = 0.01) in the liquid fraction. At the phyla level, relative abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased in steers fed increasing dietary inclusion of CDS as Firmicutes increased to 82% of sequences for the 27% CDS treatment. Family Ruminococcaceae increased (linear, < 0.01) 2-fold in the liquid fraction when feeding CDS increased from 0 to 27% CDS, yet genera tended ( = 0.09) to decrease in steers fed greater CDS. The most abundant family of sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrionaceae, increased ( < 0.03) in the solid and liquid fraction in steers fed additional dietary CDS and sulfur. Relative abundance of family Veillonellaceae and were increased (linear, ≤ 0.02) in the solid fraction as steers were fed increasing CDS. There were no effects ( > 0.10) of feeding increasing dietary fat from CDS on fibroylytic genus in either fraction. Results demonstrate increasing fat and sulfur from CDS in a coproduct-based diet markedly alters the liquid fraction ruminal microbiome but does not elicit negative effects on relative abundance of identified fiber-fermenting bacteria.

Modeling Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) Mass Flow Rate as Affected by Drying and Storage Conditions

Ethanol production in 2015 was over 15 million gallons in the United States, and it is projected to increase in the next few years to meet market demands. With the continued growth in the ethanol industry, there has been enormous expansion in distillers grains production. Because the local market for distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is often saturated, it is essential to transport DDGS long distances, across the United States and to international markets. Caking and agglomeration of DDGS particles in hoppers and other storage structures are typical during transportation. The current study deals with DDGS prepared by combining condensed distillers solubles (CDS) with distillers wet grains and then drying at varying temperatures. DDGS was stored in conical hoppers under varying ambient temperature, consolidation pressure, and time conditions. We investigated the effects of CDS (10, 15, and 20% wb), drying temperature (100, 200, and 300°C), drying time (20, 40, and 60 min), cooling temperature (0, 25, and 50°C), consolidation pressure (0, 1.72, and 3.43 kPa), and consolidation time (0, 3, and 6 days) levels on various flow parameters. To examine these factors, Taguchi's experimental design with an L18 orthogonal array was implemented. Response surface modeling yielded mass flow rate = f(Hausner ratio, angle of repose) with R2 = 0.99, and it predicted moisture content for good, fair, and poor flow. Results showed that drying temperature, drying time, and cooling type were the main factors in predicting mass flow rate. The Johansson model for predicted mass flow rate was calibrated with experimental data, and a new parameter, compressibility factor, with a value of 0.96 g2/(min cm3), was determined to quantify the divergence of compressible and cohesive materials (such as DDGS) for free‐flowing bulk solids. Thus, the predicted models may be beneficial for quantitative understanding of DDGS flow.

Determination of the Relative Effectiveness of Four Food Additives in Degrading Aflatoxin in Distillers Wet Grains and Condensed Distillers Solubles

The food additives sodium bisulfite, sodium hypochlorite, citric acid, and ammonium persulfate were evaluated for their effectiveness in degrading aflatoxin in samples of distillers wet grains (DWG) and condensed distillers solubles (CDS) obtained from an industrial ethanol plant. Aqueous food additive solutions, 0.5% by weight, were added to DWG or CDS at the level of 0.5 ml/g of sample, and the materials were heated at 90°C for 1 h. Sodium bisulfite was not effective in degrading aflatoxin in either DWG or CDS. Among the four food additives tested, sodium hypochlorite was the most effective. However, it bleached the substrate and left an off-odor. Citric acid and ammonium persulfate reduced aflatoxin levels by 31 to 51%. Citric acid is the most promising additive for degrading aflatoxin because it has been classified as generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aflatoxin reduction was enhanced by increasing the citric acid addition level and prolonging the heating time. Reductions of 65 and 80% in DWG and CDS, respectively, were obtained by the addition of 2.5% (by weight) citric acid and heating at 90°C for 1 h. Aflatoxin levels in DWG and CDS were gradually reduced with prolonged heating at 90°C, even without the addition of food additives. Aflatoxin reductions of 53 and 73% were achieved in DWG and CDS as a result of heating at 90°C for 5 h.

Fractionation of Condensed Distillers Solubles and Compositional Characterization of Its Co‐Products

AbstractCondensed distillers solubles (CDS) was fractionated into a protein‐mineral fraction and a glycerol fraction by a chemical method; protein and glycerol‐mineral fractions by a physical method; and protein, mineral, and glycerol fractions by a physicochemical method. The co‐products from each method, along with CDS, were characterized for concentrations of key constituents (protein, oil, ash, glycerol and other carbohydrates), mineral profile, and amino acid composition. Recovery of mass and main constituents was also investigated. With the chemical method, about two‐third of the mass went to the protein‐mineral fraction, while by the physical method the equal amounts of mass went to the protein and glycerol‐mineral fractions. Protein, minerals, and glycerol were mostly recovered into their respective fractions. CDS and its fractions contained six major minerals (Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, and S) and four trace ones (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn). Both chemical and physical treatments caused significant reduction of mineral contents (dry matter basis) in the protein or glycerol fraction. Several amino acids differed significantly in percent relative to total amino acids among fractions but the extent was not substantial for protein‐rich fractions. These changes resulting from CDS fractionation are favorable for value added utilization of the new co‐products.

Physicochemical assessment and bioactive properties of condensed distillers solubles, a by-product from the sorghum bio-fuel industry

Large volumes of condensed distillers solubles (CDS) are generated as by-products, from the sorghum bioethanol industry. The objective was to assess the physico-chemical and bioactive properties of CDS. The unfractionated CDS showed the highest content of phenolic compounds (16 mg GAE/g), antioxidant (522 μM Trolox/g) and antimicrobial activity (MIC 1%(w/v) against Campylobacter spp.) compared to its extracts. The water and methanol extracts also showed high levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (11.6 and 9.2 mg GAE/g and 349 and 409 μM Trolox/g respectively), followed by ethanol and acetone extractions (7.5 and 6.6 mg GAE/g; 337 and 346 μM Trolox/g respectively). A positive correlation was revealed between total phenol and antioxidant activity. The main phenolic compounds found in the extracts were protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, taxifolin, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid and p-coumaric acid. This study indicates the potential of using CDS as a functional ingredient for other food and feed applications.

Screening of sorghum grain biorefinery by-products for growth inhibition of two common postharvest pathogens of mango

Plants have protective phytochemicals and may also produce phytoalexins in response to fungal attack. Phytochemicals from food waste sources may have potential application as crop protectants. Condensed Distillers' Solubles (CDS) and Dried Distillers' Grains (DDG) are by-products of ethanol production from sorghum grain. This study tested the inhibitory effects of these compounds on growth of two postharvest fungal pathogens of mango, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Cg) and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Lt) using Petri dish growth inhibition assays. The EC50, (Effective Concentration at which mycelial growth is inhibited by 50%), for Cg of CDS was 10.4% v/v of the crude extract. The EC50 of DDG for Cg and Lt was 8.4 and 19.1 mg mL, respectively. Mycelial growth of Lt was significantly increased by CDS at 25, 10 and 1% v/v at four and five days after incubation, but after 6 days of incubation there was no significant difference from controls and lower CDS concentrations. We are now testing the sorghum grain biofuel by-products as postharvest treatments and field sprays, to assess their potential in reducing losses by postharvest diseases in commercial horticultural production.

The effect of process variables on drum granulation behavior and granules of wet distillers grains with solubles

A laboratory scale batch drum granulation process was used to manufacture granules of DDGS by adding condensed distillers solubles (CDS) as a binder to wet distillers grains (WDG), coproducts from corn dry-grind ethanol process, under varying formulation and process conditions. A full factorial experimental design was used to test all combinations of factor levels, which included the amount of CDS binder (30%, 35%, and 40% (w/w)), CDS binder solids content (22% and 38%, wet basis), screen size opening (3.175 and 6.35mm), and residence time (1, 2.5, 5, and 10min). Measured response variables included granule size (geometric mean diameter), granule yield (1.68–3.35mm), bulk density, true density, and porosity. Results show that as the amount of binder added increased from 30% to 40% the granule size significantly increased from 2.08 to 4.45mm, respectively. Increasing the binder solids content resulted in granules with greater bulk density. Granules produced from the low solids CDS had lower porosity as a result of intraparticle voids in them. Screen sizing influenced nucleation and produced significant differences in the final granule size distribution. The greatest growth was observed for granules prepared with 40% amount of binder and low solids content CDS. Compression testing of wet granule compacts corresponded to observed growth behavior; wet pellets made from higher solids CDS had greater resistance to deformation and enhanced plasticity while the opposite was observed for the low solids CDS. The best yields of granules between 1.68 and 3.35mm were achieved at ∼80% using 35% amount of binder with the high solids content CDS, the small screen size opening and residence times between 2.5 and 10min.

Effect of feeding sweet-potato condensed distillers solubles on intake and urinary excretion of minerals in Japanese Black steers.

Four Japanese Black steers (16 months of age) were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of graded levels of sweet-potato condensed distillers solubles (SCDS) in their diets on intake and urinary excretion of minerals. The four diets consisted of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% (dry matter (DM) basis) SCDS, with SCDS replacing commercial concentrate (CC). Intake of K, Cl, S, P and Mg increased linearly with increasing SCDS content. Urinary pH increased linearly with increasing dietary SCDS content. SCDS feeding increased urinary K concentrations (linear and quadratic effects). Urinary concentrations of Cl increased linearly with increasing SCDS content. In contrast, urinary concentrations of Mg decreased with increasing SCDS content. Feeding of SCDS did not apparently affect urinary NH3 ,P, Na or Ca concentrations. These results suggest that high SCDS feeding is not a risk for crystallization of minerals leading to the formation of magnesium-phosphate type calculi: although SCDS contains large amounts of P and Mg, high SCDS feeding decreased the Mg concentration and did not affect the P concentration in urine. Additionally, high SCDS feeding had no apparent effects on plasma concentrations of Na, K, Cl, Ca or inorganic P.

The nutritive value of condensed wheat distillers solubles for cattle

The chemical composition and the energy and protein value of five batches of condensed distillers solubles (CDS) originating from wheat were determined. The net energy for lactation (NEL) was derived from digestion coefficients obtained with sheep. The true protein digested in the small intestine (DVE) and the rumen degradable protein balance (OEB) were based on the rumen degradation rate (kdD), the rumen undegradable fraction (U) and intestinal digestibility of undegraded protein (%DVBE) predicted by regression equations derived from a data set of 28 protein feeds with kdD, U and %DVBE determined in situ. The CDS is a by-product with a high, but very variable CP content (238 to 495 g/kg DM). The CP contained on average 81% amino acids, with glutamine as main component (on average 21.8% of CP) and a relatively good lysine proportion (3.0%). Further, CDS contains quite a lot of crude fat (mean±SD: 71±14 g/kg DM), glycerol (95±52 g/kg DM) and sugars (123±24 g/kg DM) resulting in a high organic matter digestibility (88.6±3.0%) and high NEL content (8.3±0.4 MJ/kg DM). The protein value showed a large variation, with DVE ranging from 122 to 244 g/kg DM and OEB from 50 to 204 g/kg DM. Wheat CDS is a rich source of minerals and trace elements with exception of calcium.