Dried Grains With Solubles Samples Research Articles

Comparison of common carbon sources with unhydrolyzed, dilute acid and steam hydrolyzed distillers’ dried grains with solubles for lignocellulolytic enzyme productions by fungal strains

Distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are the byproduct of first-generation bioethanol production. DDGS has a high fiber content, which can be used for hydrolytic enzyme production after pretreatment by physical or chemical methods such as dilute acid or semi-continuous steam explosion. This study compares the treated DDGS samples to common carbon sources such as glucose, Avicel (crystalline cellulose), and untreated DDGS along with other cellulosic materials during the production of cellulases and xylanases by selected four fungal strains. Acid treated DDGS without filtration produced up to 0.72 IU/ml of cellulases and 36.44 IU/ml of xylanases. The results showed that acid hydrolysis was a better treatment than untreated, and steam treated DDGS for both cellulase and xylanase productions (p < 0.05). The comparison of enzyme productions with acid hydrolyzed DDGS to common carbon sources also showed that acid hydrolyzed DDGS was a significantly better carbon source than others. Among four fungal strains, two Aspergillus niger strains (NRRL 567 and NRRL 330) were better than the others in enzyme activity levels. The results confirm the significant positive effect of dilute acid treatment in making DDGS a feasible feedstock for hydrolytic enzyme production.

61 Mycotoxin Trends in US Corn Grain and Corn Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles

Abstract Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites which may affect animal health and performance and are frequently detected in various feedstuffs. Mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels in US corn grain and corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) samples were monitored in this study. Samples were analyzed via LC-MS/MS for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes, type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A. The presence of clinical health or performance concerns on-farm was reported for each sample. Results from samples without clinical concerns that were above the limit of detection for each respective mycotoxin group were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC) to test the effect of harvest year on mean contamination level. Results are presented in Table 1. Of the 219 samples of 2021 corn grain screened in the current data set, 69% were positive for some level of B-Trich, an increase from 58% positive in 2020. Fumonisins (61%) and ZEN (27%) were the next most frequently detected mycotoxins in 2021 samples. Although numerically lower, mean B-Trich level (parts per billion, ppb) was similar to 2020 crop while contamination with FUM was elevated (P = 0.0001) compared to the prior year. Mean ZEN levels are numerically greater, but similar to 2020 samples. Out of 35 corn DDGS samples, occurrence of B-Trich, FUM, and ZEN remained high at 100, 100, and 94%, respectively. Mean B-Trich and FUM concentrations were similar year-to-year across the study period for DDGS while current mean ZEN level was similar to 2020, but lower than 2019 (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Preliminary results of the 2021 US corn grain and DDGS survey suggest increased mycotoxin occurrence with comparable mean contamination levels to those observed in 2020. Continued surveillance is suggested to assess contamination in common livestock feed ingredients.

Prediction of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn distiller's dried grains with solubles through near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are coproducts of the biofuel industries that use corn as raw material. This cereal is commonly contaminated by mycotoxins, including fumonisins (FBs), which can pose a serious health threat to humans and animals. Corn DDGS are typically used as a protein-rich animal feed. As mycotoxins from the original cereal grains become concentrated in DDGS, mycotoxicological monitoring is highly required before their use as ingredient in the industry. This work aimed to develop a methodology for predicting fumonisins B1 (FB1 ) and B2 (FB2 ) in corn DDGS using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology associated with chemometric methods. One hundred and ninety corn DDGS samples originating from Brazilian ethanol plants and feed mills were included in this assessment. Two datasets were created: one for calibration (132 samples) and another for external validation (58 samples). Partial least squares regression and a cross-validation approach were applied to build the models. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used as the reference methodology. Calibration results of correlation coefficient and residual prediction deviation for FB1 and FB2 were, respectively, 0.90 and 0.88; and 2.16 and 2.06. Values of the external validation dataset were compared and no statistical difference was found between groups, indicating a satisfactory predictive ability and confirming the potential of NIRS to predict fumonisins in corn DDGS. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nutrient availability of different batches of wheat distiller’s dried grains with solubles for turkeys

ABSTRACTEffects of five different batches of wheat distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were used to investigate bioavailability of energy and nutrients for turkeys. The laboratory analysis of the DDGS showed the largest variations for soluble non-starch polysaccharides, oil and ash. In total, 96 birds were fed one of six mash diets. The basal diet contained per kilogram 535 g wheat and 300 g soya bean meal, corresponding to 247 g crude protein and 12.6 MJ N-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn). Another five diets contained per kilogram 200 g of each DDGS samples in replacement for basal diet. Each diet was fed to eight pens with two female Premium turkeys following randomisation. The AMEn and the nutrient retention coefficients of the pure DDGS samples were obtained using the substitution method. The AMEn of the DDGS from batch A was higher (p = 0.048) compared to those from batches B and C, but did not differ from DDGS samples D and E. There were no differences in dry matter retention, nitrogen retention and fat digestibility between the DDGS samples tested. The AMEn of the DDGS samples correlated positively (p < 0.05) to the starch (r = 0.895) and the non-soluble non-starch polysaccharides contents (r = 0.940), and the red index of lighting (a) (r = 0.916), respectively. In general, findings from this study indicate bioavailability of energy and most nutrients to be in the range of published data with turkeys, and to vary between batches.

Standardized ileal digestible amino acids and digestible energy contents in high-protein distiller's dried grains with solubles fed to growing pigs1

Chemical composition and, therefore, potential nutritive value of corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is constantly evolving as the ethanol industry innovates processing techniques. We determined standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA (Exp. 1) and DE (Exp. 2) contents in high-protein (HP; >40% on a DM basis) DDGS samples. Two HP DDGS (HP-A and HP-B) samples and 1 conventional DDGS (CON) sample were selected for this study. Three semipurified corn starch-based diets (minimum 18% CP, as-fed basis) were formulated with DDGS as the sole source of AA. A fourth, N-free diet was prepared to estimate basal ileal endogenous AA losses. The corn starch:sucrose:oil ratio was kept constant across diets to allow calculation of DE content in DDGS by the difference method. In Exp. 1, 8 ileal-cannulated barrows (23.9 kg initial BW) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design ( = 8). Pigs were fed at 2.8 × maintenance energy requirement. In each period, pigs were adjusted to diets for 5 d followed by a 2 d of 8 h each grab continuous ileal digesta collection. In Exp. 2, 9 barrows (24.9 kg BW) were assigned to the 4 diets in a repeated 9 × 4 Youden square design to give 9 replicates per diet. In each period, pigs were adjusted to diets for 7 d followed by 5 d of fecal grab sample collection. The analyzed CP was 30.1, 42.3, and 43.1% (on a DM basis) in the CON, HP-A, and HP-B samples, respectively; the corresponding values for GE were 5,067, 5,425, and 5,407 kcal/kg DM, respectively. The concentrations of fat and NDF were comparable among the DDGS samples. Except for Arg and Val, the SID values for indispensable AA were not different ( > 0.05) among the 3 DDGS samples. However, HP samples had higher ( < 0.05) SID values for indispensable AA and CP compared with the CON sample. The SID of Lys content was 4.9, 6.1, and 7.4 g/kg DM for the CON, HP-A, and HP-B, respectively; the corresponding values for Met and Thr were 4.6, 6.8, and 7.4 g/kg DM, respectively, and 6.8, 9.5, and 10.7 g/kg DM, respectively. The DE content in HP samples was greater ( < 0.01) than in the CON (3,614, 4,494, and 4,555 kcal/kg DM for the CON, HP-A, and HP-B, respectively). In conclusion, HP DDGS had higher SID content of AA and DE compared with the CON.

Nutrient availability of different batches of wheat distillers dried grains with solubles with and without exogenous enzymes for broiler chickens

Wheat distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are being used increasingly in the poultry feed industry but their nutritional value is variable. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of batch to batch variation of wheat DDGS produced by the same manufacturer on the growth performance, dietary N corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), energy conversion ratio (ECR), total tract dry matter retention (DMR), nitrogen retention (NR) and fat digestibility (FD) coefficients when fed to broilers in complete diets with and without enzyme supplementation. Six UK wheat DDGS samples, produced by a single manufacturer, were used in a broiler experiment. Six diets containing 150 g/kg of each selected wheat DDGS sample were mixed. Each diet was then split into two batches and one of them was supplemented with commercial enzyme preparation, providing 1220 units xylanase and 152 units of β-glucanase/kg diet, resulting in 12 experimental diets. Each diet was fed ad libitum to five pens of two male Ross 308 broilers from 7 to 21 d old. Enzyme supplementation improved dietary AMEn, DMR, NR (P < 0.001) and FD (P < 0.05) compared to non-supplemented diets. There was DDGS sample by enzyme interaction (P < 0.05) on daily weight gain and ECR. The results suggest that the variability in AMEn of DDGS samples produced from a single manufacturer is greater than expected compared to the variability of whole wheat samples but substantially lower than expected from wheat DDGS samples from different EU manufacturers. This experiment has shown that the variation in feeding value of wheat DDGS may be explained by the variability in polysaccharide contents.

Compositional profile and variation of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles from various origins with focus on non-starch polysaccharides

Corn-, wheat- and mixed cereal Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) were investigated for compositional variability among DDGS origins, ethanol plants, and the relationship between corn and corresponding DDGS. A total of 138 DDGS samples were analyzed by use of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for common constituents, while 63 DDGS samples along with 11 corn samples were characterized for their non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content. The results indicated that the compositional profile of DDGS reflected the nutrient content of the parent grain but with a greater content of remaining nutrients (e.g. protein, fat, fibre and minerals) after fermentation of starch to ethanol. Corn DDGS differentiated from wheat DDGS by a greater content of fat (P≤0.006), insoluble-NSP (P<0.001), uronic acids (P<0.001), cellulose (P=0.032), and arabinose/xylose (P<0.001) – and uronic acid/xylose-ratio (P<0.001). Wheat DDGS differentiated from corn DDGS by a greater content of ash (P=0.001), soluble-NSP (P<0.001), and Klason lignin (P<0.001). Among the three sources of DDGS, the greatest variation was observed for the content of soluble-NSPs, especially soluble arabinoxylan. Based on the compositional profiles of the DDGS, principal component analysis allowed for a visual differentiation of corn DDGS from five different ethanol plants, indicating the potential of each ethanol plant to produce DDGS with consistent compositional characteristics. Furthermore, investigation of corn and corresponding DDGS indicated that the NSP fraction is modified during the fermentation process, especially arabinoxylan, by an increase in soluble arabinoxylan proportion in DDGS. In addition, the arabinose/xylose (P<0.001) and uronic acid/xylose-ratio (P<0.001) were greater for corn, compared with corresponding DDGS, indicating modifications of the endosperm arabinoxylan during the fermentation and drying process.

Comparison of Protein Concentrate, Protein Isolate and Wet Sieving Processes for Enriching DDGS Protein

AbstractDistillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a coproduct of the dry grind ethanol process. Due to its high fiber content, use of DDGS is limited as an ingredient in ruminant animal diets. Reducing fiber and increasing protein content will increase the value of DDGS. Further increase in protein content and decrease in fiber content can be achieved by removing oligosaccharides and other soluble carbohydrates from DDGS. Two DDGS samples were produced: one using the conventional dry grind process (conventional DDGS) and another using a modified dry grind process (E‐Mill DDGS). Three protein enrichment processes were used on E‐Mill and conventional DDGS. These enrichment processes were protein concentrate and isolate processes, adapted from soybean industry, and a wet sieving process. For E‐Mill DDGS, protein contents of protein concentrate, protein isolate and sieved coproducts were 48, 52 and 51 % (db), respectively, compared to 42 % (db) for E‐Mill DDGS. For conventional DDGS, protein contents of protein concentrate, protein isolate and sieved coproducts were 33, 37 and 40 % (db), respectively compared to 34 % (db) for conventional DDGS. Among the three processes, the wet‐sieving process resulted in the highest protein content for conventional and E‐Mill DDGS samples.

Survey of 7 Trichothecenes in Corn-Derived Feed and Feed Ingredients

Corn is a major ingredient of mixed feed, and it has been reported that corn may be contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). There is also a possibility of contamination with other trichothecenes. Recently, corn-derived products such as Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal have been introduced and used for mixed feed. However the actual occurrence of trichothecenes has not been sufficiently investigated. So, in this study, we analyzed DON and 6 other trichothecenes, i.e., 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3AcDON), 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15AcDON), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, nivalenol, and fusarenon-X, in DDGS, corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, and mixed feed containing corn-derived ingredients. The major trichothecenes identified in the samples tested were DON, 3AcDON and 15AcDON. In particular, DON, 3AcDON and 15AcDON were detected in most DDGS and corn gluten feed samples. Most samples of mixed feed contained DON and 15AcDON, but only one mixed feed sample contained 3AcDON. In contrast, corn gluten meal was contaminated with lower levels of these compounds than the other samples tested. Among 36 corn gluten meal samples, DON was detected in 24 and 15AcDON was detected in 20 samples. 3AcDON was not detected in any of the corn gluten meal samples.

Survey of Mycotoxins in U.S. Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles from 2009 to 2011

Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a major coproduct of the fuel-ethanol industry and is becoming a popular low-cost ingredient for animal feed. Uncertainties regarding the risk factors in DDGS, such as level of mycotoxins, could limit its application in the animal feed industry. To provide a scientifically sound assessment of the prevalence and levels of mycotoxins in U.S. DDGS, we measured aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone in 67 DDGS samples collected from 8 ethanol plants in the midwestern United States from 2009 to 2011. Among the five mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol was the main focus of the study because the crop year of 2009 was favorable for deoxynivalenol occurrence in corn. We learned that no more than 12% of the samples contained deoxynivalenol levels higher than the minimum advisory level for use in animal feed provided by the U.S. FDA, and the deoxynivalenol levels in all DDGS collected in 2011 were <2 mg/kg. Besides, intensive study showed that the enrichment of deoxynivalenol from contaminated corn to DDGS was about 3.5 times. With regard to the other mycotoxins in DDGS, the study suggested that (1) almost none of the DDGS samples produced in 2010 contained detectable aflatoxins and the highest level of aflatoxins in DDGS was 5.7 μg/kg; (2) no more than 6% of the samples contained fumonisin levels higher than the guidance level for feeding equids and rabbits provided by the U.S. FDA; (3) none of the samples contained T-2 higher than the detection limit; (4) most samples contained zearalenone levels between 100 and 300 μg/kg. This study was based on representative DDGS samples from the U.S. ethanol industry, and the data were collected using state-of-the-art analytical methodology. This study provided a comprehensive and scientifically sound assessment of the occurrence and levels of mycotoxins in DDGS produced from 2009 to early 2011 by the U.S. ethanol industry.

Effect of Harvest Date on Yield, Composition, and Nutritive Value of Corn Stover and DDGS

Efficient utilization of the non-grain portion of corn plant and distiller's grains for ruminants and the grain for ethanol will allow optimization of both food and fuel production. Corn stover can be effectively used as animal feed if it is collected before in-field dry-down. This study determined the yield and nutritive value of corn stover, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and feed value enhanced stover (FVES) (a mixture of corn stover and DDGS) on different corn harvest dates, and determined the harvest time that maximizes whole-plant utilization. Corn and corn stover were harvested at different dates from 21 August to 23 November in 2009, and DDGS samples were produced from the corn samples collected at different harvest dates by dry grind fermentation. From 21 August to 23 November, dry matter yield of the stalk and leaf fraction and the cob decreased by 37.4% and 9.8%, respectively. During the same time period, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and lignin concentrations in the stalk and leaf fraction increased by 16.8, 12.7, and 1.0 percentage points, respectively, while crude protein concentrations decreased by 4.1 percentage points. For FVES, both the highest dry matter yield and the highest total digestible nutrient concentration were reached when corn just reached physiological maturity. Corn and corn stover can be harvested at the corn physiological maturity stage for maximum dry matter yield and optimum nutrient quality of FVES for ruminants, leaving more corn for ethanol production.

Determination of energy and amino acid digestibility in growing pigs fed corn distillers' dried grains with solubles containing different lipid levels

Two experiments were conducted to estimate the digestibility of energy, nitrogen and amino acids (AA) in growing pigs fed diets containing one of five corn distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS), including three normal oil DDGS (NO-DDGS) and two low oil DDGS (LO-DDGS) samples. Exp. 1 was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME) content. Six growing barrows (initial body weight [BW]: 35.1 ± 2.2 kg) were allotted to a 6 × 6 Latin square design, with six periods and six diets. One diet was a corn–soybean meal basal diet and the other five diets were based on corn, soybean meal and 28.8% DDGS. The average DE and ME values for the three NO-DDGS samples were 16.0 and 14.9 MJ/kg dry matter (DM). These values were 9 and 13% greater than the LO-DDGS values of 14.7 and 13.2 MJ/kg DM respectively. Exp. 2 was conducted to determine and compare apparent (AID) and standardised (SID) ileal digestibility for crude protein and AA in the five DDGS samples. Six growing barrows (initial BW, 32.2 ± 1.9 kg) fitted with a simple T-cannula were allotted to a 6 × 6 Latin square design with six periods and six diets. Five of the diets were based on the five DDGS samples, and the remaining one diet was nitrogen-free diet based on cornstarch and sucrose. Titanium dioxide (0.1%) was used as inert marker. The results of the experiment showed the largest variation among the different samples in AID and SID for lysine (from 41.8 to 65.8% and 53.8 to 73.9% respectively) and threonine (from 54.3 to 73.8% and 65.2 to 79.5% respectively). Also, among the indispensable AA, the SID values for arginine, histidine, threonine and tryptophan observed in LO-DDGS were not different from the values derived from NO-DDGS. In conclusion, LO-DDGS may have decreased energy compared with NO-DDGS because of its lower fat content. However, oil removal during the production of DDGS may not affect amino acid digestibility.

Standardised amino acid digestibility of wheat distillers’ dried grains with solubles in force-fed cockerels

1. In recent years, policies encouraging the production of ethanol from maize or wheat have stimulated an increased production of distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) for which the nutritional value for poultry is poorly described, especially in the case of wheat DDGS. 2. DDGS samples (19) were obtained from 7 plants in Europe from June to September 2007. Each sample was analysed for chemical composition and 10 representative samples were measured for amino acid (AA) content and their standardised digestibility (SDD) in caecectomised cockerels. Lightness score (L) of each DDGS was also measured. 3. Results indicated a rather stable crude protein content (327 to 392 g/kg DM) but the AA profile was variable between samples. Lysine (LYS) was the most affected AA with contents ranging between 0·83 and 3·01 g/100 g CP. In addition, only 0·76 of total LYS were free if estimated by the fluoro-dinitro-benzene procedure and 0·85 of total LYS were free if estimated by the furosine procedure. 4. The SDD of LYS was also highly variable (−0·04 to 0·71) with the lowest values observed for DDGS samples with a low LYS content in CP; these latter samples had also a high occurrence of Maillard reactions and low L values (<50). Consequently, both LYS content in CP (r = 0·63) and SDD of LYS (r = 0·64) values were positively related with L. 5. Our data indicate that LYS SDD can be accurately predicted from LYS content in CP according to a quadratic (R 2 = 0·94) or a linear-plateau model (R 2 = 0·90; breakpoint for 1·9 g/100 g lysine in CP and a 0.63 plateau SDD value).

The Occurrence and Concentration of Mycotoxins in U.S. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

To provide a scientific sound assessment of the prevalence and levels of mycotoxins in U.S. distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS), we measured mainly aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone in 235 DDGS samples collected from 20 ethanol plants in the midwestern United States and 23 export shipping containers from 2006 to 2008 using state-of-the-art analytical methodologies. The results suggested that (1) none of the samples contained aflatoxins or deoxynivalenol levels higher than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for use in animal feed; (2) no more than 10% of the samples contained fumonisin levels higher than the recommendation for feeding equids and rabbits, and the rest of the samples contained fumonisins lower than FDA guidelines for use in animal feed; (3) none of the samples contained T-2 toxins higher than the detection limit, and no FDA guidance levels are available for T-2 toxins; (4) most samples contained zearalenone levels lower than the detection limit, and no FDA guidance levels are available for zearalenone; and (5) the containers used for export shipping of DDGS did not seem to contribute to mycotoxin production. This study was based on representative DDGS samples from the U.S. ethanol industry, and the data were collected using reference methods. This study provided a comprehensive and scientifically sound assessment of the occurrence and levels of mycotoxins in DDGS from the U.S. ethanol industry.

Pretreatment and Conversion of Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles for Acetone- Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) Production

Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a low-value co-product from dry grind ethanol production. Due to its high fiber content, DDGS is used primarily as a feed for ruminant animals. Conversion of the carbohydrate components in DDGS to biofuel would improve the overall economics of dry grind ethanol production. The effect of solids loading on pretreatment of DDGS and on subsequent acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation was examined. DDGS samples were subjected to six pretreatments, involving acidic and alkaline electrolyzed water, at three solids loadings (20%, 30%, and 40% w/w). After a 72 h hydrolysis, the highest glucose yield was obtained from the sulfuric acid pretreated samples. In fermentation tests using Clostridium acetobutylicum P260 for ABE production, the highest ABE concentration was ~17 g L-1, which was achieved from alkaline electrolyzed water pretreated samples at 30% (w/w) solids loading. The solids loading in a pretreatment significantly affected both the sugar yield from enzymatic hydrolysis and the ABE yield from fermentation of DDGS hydrolysates. The hydrolysate from alkaline electrolyzed water pretreatment at 30% (w/w) solids was found to be most favorable to ABE production, while that from sulfuric acid pretreatment was the least fermentable, although it produced the highest sugar yield.

Nutritional value of wheat and corn distiller’s dried grain with solubles: Digestibility and digestible contents of energy, amino acids and phosphorus, nutrient excretion and growth performance of grower-finisher pigs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) samples derived from corn, wheat and a wheat/corn blend (4:1). Specifically, the digestibility and digestible contents of energy, amino acids (AA) and P, N and P excretion, and growth performance were determined in grower-finisher pigs. In exp. 1, 12 ileal cannulated barrows (64.6 ± 6.4 kg) had restricted access (2.6 × maintenance) to a wheat-control diet or one of three diets containing 40% DDGS sample of corn, wheat or wheat/corn origin that replaced wheat. For energy, apparent total tract digestibility was highest for wheat (85%; P &lt; 0.05) and did not differ among the DDGS samples (77 to 79%; P &gt; 0.10). Total tract digestible energy (DE) was higher for corn DDGS (4292 kcal kg-1 DM; P &lt; 0.05) than wheat/corn DDGS, wheat DDGS and wheat samples (4038, 4019 and 3807). For lysine, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was highest for wheat (71%; P &lt; 0.05) and did not differ among DDGS samples (59 to 63%; P &gt; 0.10). The AID lysine content was highest for corn DDGS (0.51% DM; P &lt; 0.05), intermediate for wheat/corn DDGS and wheat DDGS (0.45 and 0.42), and lowest for wheat (0.37%). For P, total tract digestibility was lowest for wheat (15%; P &lt; 0.05) and did not differ among DDGS samples (53 to 56%; P &gt; 0.10). Total N excretion was highest for wheat/corn DDGS and wheat DDGS (55 and 58 g d-1; P &lt; 0.05), intermediate for corn DDGS (44) and lowest for wheat (36). Total P excretion did not differ among DDGS (11 g d-1) and was lowest for wheat (8; P &lt; 0.05). In exp. 2, 100 pigs (52.0 ± 3.3 kg) were fed a wheat-pea control diet or one of three diets containing 25% of the three DDGS samples (3.375 Mcal DE kg-1; 2.50 g SID lysine Mcal-1 DE) for 5 wk. Overall, average daily feed intake (ADFI) and daily gain (ADG) were higher for pigs fed the wheat control diet than the DDGS-containing diets (P &lt; 0.05), but feed efficiency did not differ (P &gt; 0.10). In summary, the digestible nutrient content of wheat DDGS is lower than corn DDGS and higher than wheat. Followin g pre-characterization of digestible nutrient profile, feeding DDGS reduced growth performance indicating that further research is required to improve the nutritional value of DDGS. Key words: Distiller's dried grains with solubles, pig, digestibility, energy, amino acid