Development of High Value Uses of Spent Grain by Fractionation Technology

By Naomu Ishiwaki, H. Murayama, H. Awayama, O. Kanauchi and T. Sato Applied Bioresearch Center, Kirin brewery Co., Ltd., Japan This paper was originally presented at the MBAA 112th Anniversary Convention, Keystone, Colorado, 1999.

Abstract
To date, spent grain (SG) left over after brewing has been used mainly as cattle feed. We have been trying to find an attractive SG processing method to increase the profit related to SG. We pressed and ground the SG with a roll-mill and separated milled SG into 3 fractions by sieving with coarse and fine screens. One of the latest studies is to accomplish the fractionating technique on a large scale. In 1997, the operation of a new test plant, which could process 10t of SG/day, was started. Another study is to develop unique applica-tions for each fraction. The effect on curing several types of diarrhea has been confirmed in the finest fraction, which is the richest in protein. The medium-sized particle fraction has a superior potential to hold moisture, although its component profile is commonly compared with others, and may be useful as strain beds to grow mushrooms. The largest particle fraction, which contains plenty of fiber, can be used as a pulp substitute and recycled into business cards and business envelopes. The examples of applications mentioned above are based on labora-tory results. Further examinations are need for practical application.
Keywords: spent grain (uses for), spent grain fractionation  

Sintesis
El grano usado (SG), sobrante despu�s de la elaboraci�n de la cerveza, se ha empleado principalmente como comida de ganado, hasta ahora. Nosotros estamos tratando de encontrar un atractivo m�todo de proceso del SG para incrementar las ganancias rela-cionadas con el SG. Nosotros presionamos y molimos el SG con un molino de rollos y separamos el SG molido en tres fracciones tamizando con mallas finas y gruesas. Uno de los �ltimos asuntos es el de lograr la t�cnica para fraccionar a gran escala. En 1997, se empez� la operaci�n de una nueva planta a prueba la cual puede procesar 10t de SG por d�a. Otro asunto es el desarrollar aplicaciones �nicas para cada fracci�n. El efecto de curar varios de tipos de diarrea se ha confirmado con la fracci�n mas fina, la cual es la m�s rica en prote�nas. La fracci�n con part�culas de medio tama�o tiene un potencial superior para man-tener humedad, aunque su perfil de componentes es com�n com-parado con otros y puede ser �til como lecho para cultivar champi�ones. La fracci�n con las part�culas mas grandes la cual contiene abundante cantidad de fibra, puede ser usada como substi-tuto de pulpa y ser reciclada en forma de tarjetas de negocios y sobres de negocios. Los ejemplos de aplicaciones mencionados anterior-mente est�n basados en los resultados de laboratorio. Se necesitan m�s ex�menes para la aplicaci�n pr�ctica.