African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Review

Brewer’s spent grain: A review of its potentials and applications

Salihu Aliyu1* and Muntari Bala2
  1Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. 2Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 24 November 2010
  •  Published: 17 January 2011

Abstract

 

Most developing nations continuously produce abundant agro-industrial residues such as brewer’s spent grain (BSG), which are underexploited. BSG as the main by-product of brewing industry, representing approximately 85% of total by-products generated, is rich in cellulose and non-cellulosic polysaccharides and has a strong potential to be recycled. Due to the global intense pressure towards green environmental technology, both academic and industrial researchers are putting more efforts to reduce the amount of such wastes by finding alternative uses apart from the current general use as an animal feed. Thus, several products are increasingly being sought from BSG. This article intends to review some of the products that can be realized from BSG and also to stimulate researchers to explore further, especially in developing new value-added products.

 

Key words: Brewer’s spent grain, polysaccharide, animal feed, residue.