The invention is directed to methods of producing ethanol and decreasing
residual starch production in a no cook fermentation comprising
contacting granular starch containing substrates with a granular starch
hydrolyzing enzyme, a protease, and a fermenting microorganism under
suitable fermentation conditions at a temperature below the starch
gelatinization temperature of the starch substrate to produce ethanol,
wherein the ethanol production is increased and the amount of residual
starch is decreased compared to a substantially similar method conducted
without the protease.