Project Number: 5447-41000-002-05
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 01, 2007
End Date: Apr 30, 2012

Objective:
SDSU will collaborate with ARS and MBI in evaluating current, modified, and next generation fuel ethanol coproduct streams, including AFEX-treated materials produced by MBI, and determine their applicability for use in animal rations, human foods, and other value-added products.

Approach:
SDSU will collaborate with ARS and MBI in evaluating current, modified, and next generation fuel ethanol coproduct streams, including AFEX-treated materials produced by MBI, and determine their applicability for value-added uses. Specifically objectives include: 1. The two co-products of most significant importance at this time are de-oiled distillers grains plus solubles (dDGS) and glycerol. Year 1 involves basal measurements creating a foundation of knowledge which will be the basis of future research, including: a) Establish nutritive/compositional values for dDGS and feed grade glycerol, including proximate and mineral profiles, and TDN profile and crude protein availability/degradability. b) Determine suitability of dDGS as an iso-nitrogenous alternative to SBM for meeting the CP requirement of gestating beef cows. c) In vitro fermentation screening of glycerol level influences on anaerobic fermentation of a wide range of common cattle feedstuffs. d) In vivo evaluation of glycerol as a replacement for grain in beef cattle receiving/backgrounding diets. 2. Conduct preliminary and in-depth investigations on nutritional characteristics and nutrient flux of ethanol co-products fed to dairy cattle, including: a) Determination of the replacement of starch provided by corn with digestible fiber provided by distillers grains in the diets of dairy cows. b) Long-term growth and milk production of dairy heifers fed distillers grains. 3. The objective of this research is to examine potential treatments for distillers grains needed to develop functional high-fiber, high-protein, low-starch corn flours. 4. a) Initial tilapia grower diet formulation: Conduct initial feeding trials using distillers dried grains (with solubles) as a protein source for tilapia. b) Tilapia grower diet optimization: Optimize the use of distillers dried grains (with solubles) as a protein source in tilapia diets. 5. Optimize the use of DDGS in aquaculture feeds by extrusion processing. The aims of this project are to develop and evaluate improved processes for converting DDGS into aquaculture feeds and to optimize these operations for target fish species relevant to the North Central region of the U.S. Specific objective of this study are to optimize extrusion processing of DDGS blends for tilapia (Tilapia nilotica) diets on a laboratory scale. 6. The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between DDGS, storage conditions, and resulting flow characteristics under different environments. This research is targeted at improving DDGS handling characteristics (i.e., ability to transport and bin flow) as well as shelf life. Specific objective of this project for year 1 is to investigate the effect of various levels of solubles, drying conditions, and cooling rates on the resulting properties of DDGS. 7. Outreach component: Increase income over feed costs for SD livestock producers through the inclusion of biofuel co-products into their feeding programs.