| abstract |
The present invention relates to the production of a highly digestible, high protein product (high protein distillers dried grains or high protein DDG) from corn endosperm, and more particularly to a method for the recovery of high protein DDG by using: (i) dehulling and degermination to isolate a low fat, low fiber corn endosperm fraction, (ii) enzymatic hydrolysis to solubilize and alcoholic fermentation to assimilate the starch and non-starch carbohydrates present in the corn endosperm, and (iii) filtration and/or centrifugation to recover the dealcoholized insoluble solids that remain after fermentation of the corn endosperm. The present invention provides an alternative to the traditional dry mill method of processing corn to produce ethanol, and results in the production and recovery of a distillers' by-product (high protein DDG) with increased value and range of use as an ingredient in feeds for farm-raised ruminants and non-ruminants and pet foods. The product of the present invention contains less than about 2.0 weight percent starch, from about 55.0 to about 65.0 weight percent protein, from about 4.5 to about 7.5 weight percent fat, from about 3.0 to about 5.0 weight percent crude fiber, and from about 78.0 to about 90.0 percent total digestible nutrients, and improves the palatability and digestibility of animal feeds and/or pet foods into which it is incorporated, and aids in the management of the health and weight gain of the animal. |