Variability in the nutritional quality of distillers solubles

Use of ethanol in fuels has led to increased production of industrial ethanol, and consequently of a coproduct, distillers solubles (DS). While DS from beverage ethanol processing have been shown to be valuable as animal foods, there are few data on the nutritional value of DS from industrial ethanol. The purpose of this study was to obtain nutritional data on the latter. Samples of DS were obtained from a corn wet milling/ethanol plant during five periods of 5-6 days each and analysed for nutrient content. Nutritional value varied with periods. Available energy in DS was lower than for corn. Most amino acids were in high concentrations, relative to many feeds, but digestibilities of several essential amino acids were low. DS have potential as food for non ruminants, but high nutrient variability, low amino acid digestibility and dewatering difficulties have to be addressed. Feeding trials will be necessary to establish practical dietary limits.