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.