Physicochemical and Functional Characterization of Rice DDGS: A Potential Ingredient for Human Food Applications

Rapid growth of Bio-ethanol industry in recent period is witnessing a corpus production of its by-products like Distilleries Dried Grain Soluble (DDGS). DDGS is enriched with biomolecules from residues of cereal grains, its adjuncts and yeast cells. Thus making it a treasure – trove of essential nutrients with potential for human consumption. The aim of this study to evaluate the plausibility of using rice DDGS as an adjuvant in food processing industries, for developing products for human consumption. DDGS sample was extracted using ethanol for the analysis of MDLC, FTIR and GCMS. Nutritional analysis indicated high protein content i.e. approx. 40% (dry basis), moderate amount fibre i.e.5.65% (dry basis) and low fat < 6% (dry basis). Moisture content was found to be 10.36% (dry basis). MDLC analysis of DDGS extract shows presence of high concentration of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The FTIR analysis reveals the presence of various functional groups in DDGS sample. And the GCMS analysis revealed the presence of eleven major compounds in DDGS sample. Naturally Occurring Toxins were also found to be absent in the samples and also it did not show any significant cytotoxicity toward HEK-293 cells at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL over 24 h, confirming suitability of rice DDGS for human consumption. So due to presence of these unique characteristics in rice DDGS, it should be a value added ingredient in food base industry.