Impact of chemical and physical properties on flowability characteristics of corn distillers dried grains with solubles

Abstract

The influence of the physical and chemical composition of corn distillers dried grains with solubles on its flowability was evaluated in the current study. The samples were evaluated for angle of repose, compressibility, Hausner ratio, tapped density, bulk density, mean bulk density, colour and nutrient content. PROC CORR and REG procedures were used to determine correlations. The ether extract was negatively correlated with crude protein and redness (a*), while crude protein was negatively correlated with yellowness (b*). Acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were negatively correlated with a* and positively correlated with lightness (L*), respectively. Compressibility showed a negative correlation with bulk density. Bulk density, tapped density and mean bulk density did not impact the angle of repose. The angle of repose was positively correlated with the compressibility and Hausner ratio. Apart from the correlation between acid detergent fibre and tapped density, the angle of repose and other physical parameters were not affected by the nutrient composition of the distillers dried grains with solubles samples. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that nutrient composition has little influence over the flowability of distillers dried grains with solubles but compressibility and the Hausner ratio can be used to predict the potential flow characteristics of corn distillers dried grains with solubles.