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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199477
Title: CORN ETHANOL COPRODUCTS: GENERATION, PROPERTIES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Author
item Rosentrater, Kurt
item MUTHUKUMARAPPAN, K - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: International Sugar Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/19/2006
Publication Date: 11/1/2006
Citation: Rosentrater, K.A., Muthukumarappan, K. 2006. Corn ethanol coproducts: generation, properties, and future prospects. International Sugar Journal. 108(1295):648-657.

Interpretive Summary: As the production of corn-based ethanol in the U.S. increases, the quantity of coproduct materials generated from this processing sector grows as well. These materials are currently utilized as livestock feed. Because their sales provide ethanol processors with a substantial revenue source, they are a key to the profitability of the production process. With the construction of many new plants in recent years, these materials also have much potential for value-added processing and utilization in other sectors as well. Alternative uses hold promise of economic benefit for corn processors, especially if the livestock feed market eventually becomes saturated with byproduct feeds. Physical and nutritional properties will be essential to pursuing these applications. Because information concerning ethanol coproduct materials is lacking outside the livestock arena, the objective of this paper is to fully review the existing literature and compile physical and nutritional properties for these materials. This paper will also identify several gaps that currently exist, and will discuss future prospects for these coproducts.

Technical Abstract: The production of corn-based ethanol in the U.S. is dramatically increasing, and consequently so is the quantity of coproduct materials generated from this processing sector. These coproduct streams are currently utilized as livestock feed, which provides ethanol processors with a substantial revenue source and significantly increases the profitability of the production process. With the construction and operation of many new plants in recent years these residuals do, however, have much potential for value-added processing and utilization in other sectors as well. This option holds promise of economic benefit for corn processors, especially if the livestock feed market eventually becomes saturated with byproduct feeds. Physical and nutritional properties are crucial for the proper design of processing operations and byproduct applications. Because information concerning ethanol coproduct materials is somewhat disparate outside the livestock arena, the objective of this paper is to fully review the existing literature base and compile a physical and nutritional properties knowledge bank for these residual streams. This paper will also identify several gaps that currently exist, and will discuss future prospects for these materials.