Subcritical water as hydrolytic medium to recover and fractionate the protein fraction and phenolic compounds from craft brewer's spent grain

The valorization of the brewer's spent grain (BSG) generated in a craft beer industry was studied by subcritical water hydrolysis in a semi-continuous fixed-bed reactor. Temperature was varied from 125 to 185 degrees C at a constant flow rate of 4 mL/min. Biomass hydrolysis yielded a maximum of 78% of solubilized protein at 185 degrees C. Free amino acids presented a maximum level at 160 degrees C with a value of 55 mg free amino acids/gprotein-BSG. Polar amino acid presented a maximum at lower temperatures than non-polar amino acids. The maximum in total phenolic compounds was reached at 185 degrees C. This maximu m is the same for aldehyde phenolic compounds such as vanillin, syringic and protocatechuic aldehyde; however, for hydroxycinnamic acids, such as ferulic acid and p-coumaric, the maximum was obtained at 160 degrees C. This allows a fractionation of the bioactive compounds. Subcritical water addresses opportunities for smal l breweries to be incorporated within the biorefinery concept.

Automated summary

The study explored the valorization of brewer's spent grain through subcritical water hydrolysis, revealing the highest protein solubilization rate at 185 degrees C, the highest free amino acid content at 160 degrees C, and the maximum total phenolic compounds at 185 degrees C. This research provides insights into the fractionation of bioactive compounds and the integration of small breweries into the biorefinery concept.