Brewer's Spent Grain: Wastes, Byproducts, and Utilization

The most typical byproduct in beer production is called Brewer&s;s Spent Grain (BSG) and accounts for about 85% of all byproducts. Most of this substance consists of the barley grain husks, which remain as a solid after wort production. BSG is commonly used as an inexpensive source of animal feed as it is a good source of nutrients such as protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. On the other hand, the developments of the circular economy and technological advances in the processing of BSG have recently stimulated interest in alternative uses of the substance. In addition, due to its low cost, year-round availability, and valuable chemical composition, BSG is used as a raw material in a wide range of industrial applications. Investigating alternative uses of BSG is relevant, not only from the perspective of the brewer who can benefit from valorizing this byproduct, but also from an environmental point of view, as the recycling and reuse of industrial waste and byproducts have become increasingly important. This chapter demonstrates the attempts that have been made to utilize the readily available byproduct of brewing.