True Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Digestibility of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

In recent years, policies encouraging the production of ethanol have stimulated an enormous increase in the production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The form of the ingredient that is becoming increasingly available differs from that of previous decades in that it is derived almost entirely from corn and is dried under less severe conditions. Seventeen DDGS samples were obtained from 6 different plants in the midwestern United States from 2002 to 2004. Each sample was analyzed for TME_n, and 8 representative samples were analyzed for total and digestible amino acids (AA) by the precision-fed rooster assay using conventional or cecectomized Single Comb White Leghorn roosters, respectively. Color lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*)] of each DDGS sample was measured with a Minolta Chroma Meter CR-300. The TME_n ranged from 2,490 to 3,190 kcal/kg (86% DM basis) and had a mean of 2,820 kcal/kg. Variation was noted among samples, presumably reflecting differences in the original corn composition, fermentation, and disposition of solubles. Considerable differences were observed among the true AA digestibilities of the DDGS samples. Most samples were golden in color, and true AA digestibility values were relatively consistent among these samples. The average total concentration and digestibility coefficients of several most limiting AA for the 8 DDGS samples were as follows: Lys, 0.71% (70); Met, 0.54% (87); cystine, 0.56% (74); Thr, 0.96% (75), Val, 1.33% (80), Ile, 0.97% (83); and Arg, 1.09% (84). Correlations were found among digestible Lys, Thr, Arg, His, and Trp and the yellowness (b*) and lightness (L*) of the DDGS samples. In general, DDGS samples that were more yellow and lighter in color had higher total and digestible AA levels. The variation in TME_n and AA digestibility observed among samples strongly indicated that confirmatory analyses should be conducted prior to using samples from a new supplier.