This study focused on the detection of value-added co-products in dried distiller's grain plus soluble (DDGS), a possibility that could open new avenues for further processing and marketing of DDGS and improving economic sustainability of ethanol industry. Varieties of triticale, wheat and two benchmarks, CPS wheat and Pioneer Hi-Bred corn, were fermented using two very high gravity (VHG) fermentation approaches: jet-cooking and raw starch processing (STARGEN fermentation). DDGS from STARGEN fermentation could be promising sources of value-added co-products. Pronghorn triticale DDGS (STARGEN fermentation) had the highest concentration of sterols (3.7 mg/g), phenolic compounds (13.61 mg GAE/g), and beta-glucan (2.07%). CDC Ptarmigan DDGS (STARGEN fermentation) had the highest concentration of tocopherols and tocotrienols (107.0 mu g/g), 1.93% of beta-glucan, and 53.0 mg/g of fatty acids. AC Reed DOGS (STARGEN method) showed 1.97% of beta-glucan. This study shows that proper choice of fermentation approach and feedstock for ethanol production could improve commercial quality of DDGS. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.