Abstract
The dry-grind corn process is one of two technologies used to convert corn into ethanol. In his process, all kernel components are processed through several sequential steps, including fermentation. Only one coproduct (distillers’ dried grains with solubles [DDGS]) is available for marketing. DDGS provide income to offset costs of processing; issues that affect marketing have implications in the economic viability of dry-grind plants. Two issues relate to elements in DDGS: high concentrations and excessive variation. Data on element concentrations in dry-grind processing streams could be helpful in addressing these concerns. The objective of this study was to determine element concentrations in primary process streams from dry-grind plants. Samples of corn, ground corn, beer, wet grains, syrup, and DDGS were obtained from nine dry-grind plants, and element concentrations were determinined. The concentrations of most elements in corn were not different among processing plants and were similar to published data. However, for the processing streams, there were differences in several element concentrations among processing plants. The concentrations of most elements in beer were about three times those of corn, due to the disappearance of starch during fermentation. Syrup had the highest element concentrations. Variations in element contents of DDGS and parent streams were due to processing conditions and not corn. Appropriate processing of thin stillage (the parent stream of syrup) could reduce the element content of DDGS.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belyae, R. L., Steevens, B. J., Restrepo, R. J., and Clubb, A. P. (1989), J. Dairy Sci. 72, 2339–2345.
Clevenger, T. E. (1990) Res. J. Water Pollut. Control. Fed. 62, 820–827.
Shurson, J., Spiehs, M., Whitney, M., Baidoo, S., Johnston, L., Shanks, B., and Wulf, D. (2001), In 62nd Minnesota Nutrition Conference & Minnesota Corn Growers Association Technical Symposium, University of Minnesota Extension: Bloomington, MN, pp. 22–52.
AOAC. (1984), Official Methods of Analysis 19th ed., Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, VA.
SAS. (1985), SAS User’s Guide: Statistics, SAS Institute, Cary, NC.
Danalewich, J. R., Papagiannis, T. G., Belyae, R. L., Tumbleson, M. E., and Raskin, L. M. (1998), Water Res. 32, 3555–3568.
Akayezu, J.-M., Linn, J. G., Harty, S., and Cassady, J. M. (1998), Feedstuffs 70, 11–13.
Arosemena, A., DePeters, E. J., and Fadel, J. G. (1995), Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 54, 103–120.
Goodson, J., and Fontaine, J. (2004), Feed Mgt. 55, 20–25.
Rausch, K. D. and Belyae, R. L. (2006), Appl. Biochem. Biotech. 128, 47–86.
Thompson, C. I., Rausch, K. D., Belyea, R. L., and Tumbleson, M. E. (2005), Bioresour. Technol. 97, 348–354.
Templin, T. L., Johnston, D. B., Singh, V., Tumbleson, M. E., Belyae, R. L., and Rausch, K. D. (2005), Bioresour. Technol., in press.
National Research Council. (1982) United States Canadian Tables of Feed Composition 3rd Rev. National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
Belyea, R. L., Rausch, K. D., and Tumbleson, M. E. (2004), Bioresour. Technol. 94, 293–298.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Belyea, R.L., Clevenger, T.E., Singh, V. et al. Element concentrations of dry-grind corn-processing streams. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 134, 113–128 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:134:2:113
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:134:2:113