Development of DDGS Based Renewable Composites

Development of DDGS based renewable composites

Long Jiang (long.jiang@ndsu.edu)

Mechanical Engineering Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, 58108

Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is a byproduct of corn ethanol production.  It  is primarily used as a livestock feed. The main constituents of DDGS are zein protein and carbohydrate fibers. Zein is a strong adhesive and is able to bind the DDGS fibers to form a fiber composite. This poster presents the development of a DDGS based zein composite. The effects of processing and formulation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were discussed. Its potential applications were identified.