Physicochemical assessment and bioactive properties of condensed distillers solubles, a by-product from the sorghum bio-fuel industry

• Peptides in Condensed Distillers Solubles (CDS) had antimicrobial activities.
• Water extract of CDS had the most potent bioactive properties.
• Correlations were found between total phenol content and antioxidant activity.
• Sorghum grain CDS had high levels of phytochemicals.

Large volumes of condensed distillers solubles (CDS) are generated as by-products, from the sorghum bioethanol industry. The objective was to assess the physico-chemical and bioactive properties of CDS. The unfractionated CDS showed the highest content of phenolic compounds (16 mg GAE/g), antioxidant (522 μM Trolox/g) and antimicrobial activity (MIC 1%(w/v) against Campylobacter spp.) compared to its extracts. The water and methanol extracts also showed high levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (11.6 and 9.2 mg GAE/g and 349 and 409 μM Trolox/g respectively), followed by ethanol and acetone extractions (7.5 and 6.6 mg GAE/g; 337 and 346 μM Trolox/g respectively). A positive correlation was revealed between total phenol and antioxidant activity. The main phenolic compounds found in the extracts were protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, taxifolin, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid and p-coumaric acid. This study indicates the potential of using CDS as a functional ingredient for other food and feed applications.