Protein denaturation turns distiller’s grains into binder-free particleboard

Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) riches in protein and starch but high in moisture, which spoils quickly and can breed toxins, making its disposal a notable environmental challenge. Current uses as feed, fertilizer, or fuel cannot absorb the full volume, so researchers have begun exploring it as a raw material for boards. But previous efforts either broke down DDGS’s natural structure or used it only as a minor additive alongside synthetic adhesives. 

A team from Sichuan University leads the DDGS glue itself together. Using acetic acid (25% by weight of DDGS) as the optimal dosage, they unfold the residual protein’s coiled structure into sticky, loose chains, which maximized stickiness while keeping the protein evenly spread. The team then screens DDGS into two fractions: a fiber-rich component α that provides structural support, and a protein-rich component β that acts as the binder. Recombining them at a 5:5 ratio solves the uneven protein distribution problem.

After hot-pressing at 190 ℃ for 20 min, the resulting boards reached a modulus of rupture of 11.73 MPa, a modulus of elasticity of 1922 MPa, and an internal bond strength of 0.32 MPa, meeting the mechanical requirements for P2-grade particleboard. Notably, these binder-free boards outperformed DDGS boards mixed with commercial melamine-urea-formaldehyde or phenolic resins. The work titled “Protein denaturation-recombination strategy for preparing self-adhesive boards from DDGS”, was published on Journal of Forestry Engineering (published on Sep. 25, 2026).