Beyond Bread and Beer: Value-Added Products from Wheat

Abstract

Although wheat (Triticum aestivum) and related cereals [Barley (Hordeum vulgare), Rye (Secale cereale) are primarily used for producing baked goods and beverages, cereal crops can be used to create many value-added goods beyond these traditional products. Fractionation of cereal grains and extraction of valuable phytochemicals allows greater access to materials for use in food additives and nutritional supplements. Fermentation for beverage and fuel bioethanol production results in not only renewable fuel, but also a range of other coproducts, including nootropics. In addition to traditional grain fermentation, straw fermentation is also discussed, which further utilizes the whole plant. The main by-product of cereal grain fermentation, wheat stillage, can undergo a range of processes to enhance its value as a animal feeds, as well as extraction of useful compounds. These methods provide a glimpse of the many sequential and divergent processes that may bring us closer to realizing the full potential of wheat and related cereal grains.