Corn ethanol coproducts: generation, properties, and future prospects.

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.