CDDGS (Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles), Corn Dregs As Protein Sources

CDDGS (Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles),

Corn Dregs As Protein Sources

By I Dewa Gede Alit Udayana

In the past several years, 3-5 years ago, corn was still used mostly for consumption needs (human and livestock). Of all that 80% of which is used for animal feed (feed) and only 6-7% for human food (food). Now corn is even glanced for other uses. Corn is fighting for it! Corn is no longer just a feed (food) or food (food), but has become a producer of ethanol that can be used as fuel (biofuel), an alternative to conventional fuel substitution. Later, many groups have turned their attention to renewable fuel sources because they consider the era of fossil fuel sources (petroleum) as over. Now in various regions, maize is used as a producer of ethanol, which can be used as a biofuel to replace fuel. Now biofuels are increasingly popular.
           In the last 2-3 years, the demand for corn for the food and food industry has been cut by around 20%, leaving only 60%. In the United States, for example, 18.3% of corn production there, from the amount of 27,054 bushels (1 bushel is approximately equivalent to 25.4 kg) is used as ethanol producer. The question now is whether this fact, for the livestock world, is good or bad news. In simple terms this is considered as a competitor to the world of animal husbandry, especially in the matter of providing animal feed. That is, 'reversed' from the need for feed, ethanol production actually increases. But, don't worry yet. From making ethanol from corn it is produced by a product known as Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, which is more 'popular' known as CDDGS, or DDGS only. CDDGS is a by-product of fermentation and distillation of corn into ethanol. Although bearing the title of 'byproduct', CDDGS is certainly not just dregs, because it turns out that CDDGS is very potential, and economical as well, used as raw material for animal feed, especially for poultry. From 1 part of corn fermented to produce ethanol, about 1/3 of CDDGS will be produced. As an illustration, one bushel of corn (approximately 25.4 kg) will produce 8.2 kg of CDDGS, in addition to 8.2 kg of CO2 gas. And, of course, ethanol is produced as its main product, which is 10.2 liters. 

Rich in protein 

Maybe this is inevitable that corn is now being used for other purposes, for the production of biofuels. However, this industry produces by products (CDDGS) which can be utilized for animal feed. This product apparently still contains good nutrition for growth and livestock production, especially for poultry. For example, and it sounds a bit strange, CDDGS is actually rich in protein. Though corn itself is not a source of protein (containing only ± 8.9% crude protein) but as an energy source (containing 3,370 kcal / kg of metabolic energy for poultry). Why is that? The production of corn-based ethanol which later produces CDDGS is through the fermentation process (for 48-72 hours) which involves fermenting bacteria. These 'employed' bacteria will later be 'stranded' on the pulp known as CDDGS. These bacteria are a source of single cell protein in CDDGS. That is why CDDGS is rich in protein (crude protein, CP). In addition, CDDGS is rich in amino acids, although certain amino acids, such as lysine, have low digestibility. Apart from being a source of CP, CDDGS is also an energy source (1283 kcal / lb of metabolic energy for turkeys and chickens) and a mineral source (with ash content of 6.5%). CDDGS contains quite high P available (0.8%) because the phytase enzyme reaction of bacteria involved in fermentation allows the release of P from its binding with phytic acid. Some sources also mention that CDDGS is a good source of xantophyl, especially in light-colored CDDGS (containing 46 - 50 ppm xantophyl). This can be used for yolk pigmentation in eggs and carcasses. Several studies have shown that giving 10% CDDGS to chicken feed will contribute to the pigmentation of eggs and chicken carcasses.

The portion of CDDGS in poultry rations

Even though it has been mentioned that it is very potential as raw material for animal feed, the portion of the use of CDDGS in ration formulation must indeed be carefully considered. This requires caution. However, aside from its advantages, CDDGS also 'saves' a number of weaknesses. One disadvantage is that the amino acid lysin contained in CDDGS has a low digestibility. This is what is called caution. Increasing the portion of CDDGS in the ration may cause deficiency of essential amino acids, especially lysine. In addition to the amino acid lysin, CDDGS also has another weakness, which contains high crude fiber (crude fiber). It has been suggested that the enzymes that work during the fermentation process only work on starches, not on NDF and ADF.

               Some studies suggest that the portion of CDDGS in livestock rations varies according to the type of livestock. Broiler can be used up to 10% CDDGS, while for turkey (grower and finisher) and laying hens 15% each (Ir. I Dewa Gede Alit Udayana, MS., academist/lecture, lived at Bangli, Bali).