Valorization of Brewers' Spent Grain in Sustainable Applications
Summary
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) represents the most abundant solid by-product of the brewing industry, characterised by a composite of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and lignin. Traditionally directed towards low-value outlets such as ruminant feed or land spreading, BSG is increasingly recognised as a versatile feedstock for sustainable innovations. Valorisation pathways encompass biochemical, thermochemical and material approaches: enzymatic and microbial processes release fermentable sugars for biofuels and platform chemicals; extraction techniques recover proteins, dietary fibres and polyphenols for functional foods or nutraceuticals; thermal conversion and activation generate biochar and activated carbon for adsorption and soil amendment. Emerging cascade biorefinery schemes integrate sequential fractionation steps to maximise resource recovery, minimise water use and reduce environmental impacts. Such strategies support circular bioeconomy goals by transforming a regional waste stream into value-added products, promoting industrial symbiosis and contributing to greenhouse-gas mitigation and rural development worldwide.
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Valorization of Brewers' Spent Grain in Sustainable Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in valorization of brewers' spent grain in sustainable applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Brewer’s spent grain (BSG): The fibrous residue remaining after the extraction of wort in the brewing process, rich in carbohydrates, proteins and lignin.
Lignocellulosic biomass: Plant-derived material composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, serving as a renewable feedstock for bioconversion.
Biorefinery: A facility or integrated process that converts biomass into fuels, chemicals, materials and energy through biological, chemical and thermochemical routes.
Circular bioeconomy: An economic system that prioritises the sustainable use of biological resources through recycling, reuse and regeneration within closed material cycles.
Pretreatment: A preparatory step that alters biomass structure, often using physical, chemical or enzymatic methods, to enhance subsequent conversion or extraction processes.
References
- Recycling potential of brewer's spent grains for circular biorefineries. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry (2023).
- The Potential of Brewer’s Spent Grain in the Circular Bioeconomy: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2022).
- Bioprocessing of Brewers’ Spent Grain Enhances Its Antioxidant Activity: Characterization of Phenolic Compounds and Bioactive Peptides. Frontiers in Microbiology (2020).
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