Utilization of synthetic microbial community in solid-state fermentation (SMC-SSF) for converting Chinese distiller grains into protein feed

Chinese distiller grains (CDGs) are a primary by-product of the Baijiu production process. This research focused on converting CDGs into high-protein, low-fiber, and non-toxic feed through the synergistic effects of the synthetic microbial community in solid-state fermentation (SMC-SSF) of CDGs. After fermentation promoted by inorganic nitrogen, the protein content indicated 33.32%. Concurrently, crude fiber, ethanol, lactic acid, and acetic acid content were decreased by 20.46%, 64.28%, 64.28%, and 90.96%, respectively. Additionally, zearalenone and aflatoxin B1 content decreased by 9.32% and 63.75%. The organic acid, ethanol, and mycotoxin content in fermented CDGs (FCDGs) complied with the standards of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). While the digestibility was enhanced 62.46%, it also showed the effective antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This study provides a viable pathway for producing protein feed with enhanced probiotic characteristics.