Effect of particle size and addition level of wheat bran on quality of dry white Chinese noodles

Wheat bran is one of the major dietary fiber sources widely used in the food industry in order to produce fiber-rich foods. The effects of particle size and addition level of wheat bran on the quality of flour and of dry white Chinese noodles (DWCN) were investigated. Results suggested that increasing wheat bran concentration and particle size decreased midline peak value (MPV). However, the MTxW and MPT increased as particle size increased. Peak viscosity, trough, final viscosity, area of viscosity, breakdown, and setback of blends decreased significantly with increasing bran levels from 5% to 20%, but there were no significant differences in the impact of particle size on pasting properties. For the 5% and 10% addition levels, there was no distinct effect in breaking strength of the noodles when bran size was 0.21 mm and 0.53 mm. Hardness, gumminess and chewiness of cooked DWCN showed a downtrend with increasing addition levels and particle size, while adhesiveness showed uptrend. The total score of DWCN showed a downtrend with increasing of addition level and particle size. For the 5% bran level, the scores of cooked DWCN were more than 83 when wheat bran particle size was 0.21 mm and 0.53 mm. By using 5–10% fine bran or using 5% medium bran in wheat flour, it is possible to satisfactorily produce fiber-rich DWCN.     

Functional characterization of extruded rice noodles with corn bran: Xanthophyll content and rheology

The rheological changes in rice noodles by the substitution of corn bran and the effect of temperature on the xanthophyll content (lutein and zeaxanthin) of the corn bran-rice flour noodles were evaluated. The use of corn bran increased the water holding capacity of rice flour at room temperature while the opposite results were observed after heating. The pasting parameters of rice flour-corn bran mixture were reduced with increasing levels of corn bran and the mixture paste exhibited more dominant liquid-like behavior. The noodles containing corn bran exhibited lower expansion ratio and softer textural properties. The levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in raw corn bran were 336.9 and 123.1 μg/100 g, respectively and were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by heating. While lutein and zeaxanthin were not detected in the control noodles without corn bran, their levels in corn bran-incorporated noodles ranged from 56.2 to 137.3 μg/100 g and from 37.9 to 61.9 μg/100 g, respectively and were significantly reduced by 37.7–45.4% (P < 0.05) after cooking. Thus, the heat-labile characteristics of two xanthophylls were clearly observed. This study provides useful information on the processing performance and xanthophyll content of corn bran, possibly extending its use in a wider variety of foods.     

Quality and antioxidant properties of instant noodles enhanced with common buckwheat flour

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of incorporating common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) into instant noodle formulations. Australian Soft (AS) and Baker's flours were used to evaluate the effects of varying buckwheat contents (0–40%) on noodle quality. The results of texture analysis indicate that noodles made using AS flour produced softer texture whereas there was minimal effect for Baker's flour when buckwheat was incorporated. The colour, measured by L* values, decreased with increased addition of buckwheat for both flours. Fat uptake for noodle samples made from AS flour was only marginally affected, but increased for Baker's flour, when higher levels of buckwheat flour were added. The antioxidant rutin was detected in noodles made from both wheat flours, generally increasing with % buckwheat flour added. These findings indicate that the incorporation of 20% buckwheat into the formulation can be used to enhance the quality of instant noodles.     

Effect of wheat bran addition on in vitro starch digestibility,physico-mechanical and sensory properties of biscuits

Biscuits contain high amount of fat and sugar thus having high calorie but low nutrient density. Wheat bran is a good source of dietary fibre (DF) and protein and is thus a good candidate for nutritional enrichment of cereal foods. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of bran incorporation and particle size reduction on biscuit microstructure, texture and in vitro starch digestibility. Five different biscuits containing 5–15% DF were produced. Two different particle sized wheat brans were used: coarse (450 μm) and fine (68 μm). Bran particle size reduction increased the elastic modulus and hardness of biscuits. Biscuits containing fine bran had visually more compact structure without any surface or internal defects than those with coarse bran. Fine bran containing sample had the highest hardness value. Sensory evaluation showed that roughness and breakdown of biscuits in the mouth was significant for the coarse bran with highest level of bran addition. The instrumental elastic modulus, stress and hardness were closely related to sensory hardness and strength to break. Increasing DF content from 5 to 15% increased hydrolysis index by 16%, from 32 to 37.     

Isolation and characterization of oil bodies from Oryza sativa bran and studies of their physical properties

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel and environmentally-conscious approach to the isolation of oil bodies (OBs) from the bran arising from the milling of Oryza sativa (Basmati rice). We have used several physical techniques to determine the effect of the steps of the process on the OBs, and describe an isolation process that is scalable to an industrial level. The physical techniques [microscopy, particle size determination (diameter 1.9–5.8 μm), ζ-potential (−40 mV at pH 8.0, 0 mV at pH 4.0, 17 mV at pH 2.0), and relative turbidity measurements (pH 3.0–5.0 unstable, pH 6.0–8.0 stable)] and chemical analyses (lipid 83.7%, protein 11.5% dry basis) also give us an insight into the physical properties of OBs in general. This understanding has implications for the use of OBs in food manufacturing, and on the isolation of OBs from a variety of cereal crops.     

Ultra-fine grinding increases the antioxidant capacity of wheat bran

In order to study the influence of wheat bran particle size on its antioxidant capacity, the wheat bran was ground under normal and cryogenic conditions with variable intensity to produce ten fractions with different physical structures. The high energy grinding increased 3-fold the specific surface of the bran fractions and also the proportion of particles smaller than 50 μm assimilated to the proportion of disrupted aleurone cells. All the ground bran fractions presented similar total ferulic acid concentration and chemical form (free, conjugated, linked). A positive effect of the grinding on the antioxidant capacity of the bran fractions was noticed. The antioxidant capacity increased from 30 to 45 mmol TEAC/kg when the specific surface increased from 0.09 to 0.26–0.30 m²/g. The antioxidant capacity of the bran fractions was linearly correlated with the specific surface, with the D₅₀ values and with the proportion of particles smaller than 50 μm. In in vitro gastric conditions, the finely ground bran inhibited the accumulation of conjugated dienes more efficiently than coarse bran. In conclusion, the bran structure affects its antioxidant capacity. This effect remained in gastric conditions showing that grinding can be used to produce wheat bran fractions with higher nutritional value.     

How manipulation of wheat bran by superfine-grinding affects a wide spectrum of dough rheological properties

The present study explored the effect of size reduction by superfine grinding on the performance and rheological properties of bran-enriched dough. Coarse (D₅₀ = 328.98 μm) and superfine-ground (D₅₀ = 50.76 and 28.37 μm) wheat brans were incorporated into the wheat dough to replace 10–30% of plain flour. Both fundamental and empirical tests were performed to assess the mixing properties, pasting properties, large deformation rheology, small deformation rheology, and stickiness of the dough. With the increasing amount of bran added, dough water absorption capacity increased, while the dough became less sticky and more rigid. Superfine grinding reduced the water retention capacity of the bran by 17–20%. Dough fortified with the finest bran (D₅₀ = 28.37 μm) showed an overall better stability and uniaxial extensibility. However, the results suggested that superfine grinding not necessarily improve every aspect of dough performance, particularly the pasting properties. High peak and final viscosity were observed for dough fortified with superfine bran, indicating their end products, such as noodle, might exhibit high stickiness after cooking, and a high degree of starch retrogradation. Results of this study contributed to a better understanding of the modification effect of superfine grinding on dietary fibre.     

The effect of infrared stabilized rice bran substitution on physicochemical and sensory properties of pan breads: Part I

Infrared stabilized rice bran (SRB) substitution to white wheat, wheat bran and whole grain wheat breads at the levels of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% was evaluated in terms of proximate composition, crumb color, dietary fiber, texture and sensory attributes. An increasing tendency was observed in crude fat and ash content of the breads. Redness (+a*), yellowness (+b*) chroma and redness (a*/b*) values were increased gradually with the addition of SRB. Crumb color was found to be darker when 10% of SRB was added to the breads. SRB inclusion did not affect the content of soluble dietary fiber while it significantly increased the insoluble and total dietary fiber contents of the breads (p < 0.05). In general, whole grain wheat bread differed from the other bread types in terms of textural behavior. Based on the overall acceptability scores, white wheat and wheat bran breads were sensory accepted up to 10% of flour replacement with rice bran, while substitution levels higher than 2.5% negatively affected the sensory scores of whole grain wheat bread.     

Wet grinding and microfluidization of wheat bran preparations: Improvement of dispersion stability by structural disintegration

The enrichment of liquid food matrix with wheat bran has not yet been explored. This study investigated the impact of disintegrating wheat bran preparations on their stability at high moisture content. Three wheat bran preparations – standard bran, peeled bran and aleurone rich fraction – were modified by dry grinding, enzymatic degradation, wet grinding and microfluidization. The sedimentation of processed preparations was evaluated in water solution and related to their physical structure, solubilized compounds and suspension viscosity. In dry ground preparations mixed in water (5% w/w), most of the particles sedimented already in 5 min. Wet grinding disintegrated the physical structure of bran preparations (d₅₀ = 10–16 μm), causing improvement of particle stability due to reduction of gravitational sedimentation. Enzymatic treatment with xylanase efficiently increased the total solubility of the bran preparations (from 18–24% to 40–50%), but the higher solubility was not related to the better stability of particles. Microfluidization of peeled bran and aleurone increased the viscosity and stability of dispersions. The higher viscosity of the microfluidized dispersions was likely correlated with the better homogenisation of the particles, and also with the modified microstructure of treated bran preparations. Disintegrated wheat bran preparations showed high potential for beverage applications.     

Effect of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) on phenolic acids,flavonoids, tocopherols,tocotrienols, γ-oryzanol and antioxidant capacities of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

There have been no studies conducted with the objective of investigating the effect of elevated CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) on antioxidants in grains. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conducted using open-top chambers with two levels of atmospheric CO₂ (375 and 550 μmol/mol) to evaluate their effects on rice grain antioxidants. Following exposure to high [CO₂], the total phenolic content of all rice milling fractions decreased (3%–18%), with the highest reduction in the brown rice for sinapic acid (167%), and in the white rice for p-hydroxybenzoic acid (100%). The total flavonoid content also decreased under elevated [CO₂] in all rice milling fractions (8%–14%), with apigenin (25%) being highly affected in the white rice, and tricin (12%) in the bran. The same trend was found for γ-oryzanol, with decreases of 35%, 32%, 25%, and 2% in the white rice, brown rice, husk, and bran, respectively. In the white and brown rices, tocopherols and tocotrienols were all lower under elevated [CO₂], with reductions larger for α-tocotrienol (69%), γ-tocotrienol (46%), and α-tocopherol (38%). Good correlations between antioxidant contents and DPPH radical scavenging capacities indicated that these decreases may be meaningful in the preventive ability of rice against free radical-mediated degenerative diseases.     

Effect of gaseous ozone treatment on the microbial and physicochemical properties of buckwheat-based composite flour and shelf-life extension of fresh noodles

In recent years, the application of gaseous or aqueous ozone in the processing of flour and noodles has been reported. However, little information is available about buckwheat-based (buckwheat-wheat-gluten) composite flour treated with gaseous ozone and fresh noodles made from the flour. This study investigated the microbial count, and physicochemical properties of buckwheat-based composite flour treated with gaseous ozone at 2.4 g h⁻¹ for 0, 2.5, 7.5 and 15 min and the shelf-life of fresh buckwheat noodles made from ozone-treated buckwheat-based composite flour (OTBF). Gaseous ozone significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the microbial total plate count and increased the CIE L* value, water absorption, development time, and stability time of the OTBF. The peak viscosity, final viscosity, setback, swelling capacity and solubility of the flour were also enhanced by ozone treatment. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ozone treatment facilitated the formation of more clumps and exposure of starch granules in the composite flour. In addition, gaseous ozone treatment at 2.4 g h⁻¹ for 15 min significantly suppressed microbial growth and reduction of L* value, maintained the overall sensory acceptability during the whole storage period, and the shelf-life of fresh noodles prepared from ozone-treated flour was extended to 96 h.     

Effects of region and cultivar on alkylresorcinols content and composition in wheat bran and their antioxidant activity

This study evaluated the effects of cultivar and region on the composition of alkylresorcinols (ARs) of 24 wheat bran samples from 6 cultivars grown in four locations (Bath, Nairn, Palmerstone and Ridgetown) in Ontario (ON), Canada, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total phenolic content (TPC) of wheat bran extracts was determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method and the antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts was measured by 2, 2-Dipheny-1-picryhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest ARs content (μg/g) was found in cultivars Emmit (1522), Harvard (1305), Warthog (1170), and Superior (853), grown in Ridgetown. The relative saturated and unsaturated ARs (%) were 89 and 11, respectively. Total ARs content, their composition, TPC and antioxidant activity of wheat bran extracts were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by location and cultivar and their interaction. TPC, %DPPH_dis, and ORAC values for different wheat bran sample extracts ranged from 3 to 58 (mg FAE/g), 5 to 68 (%), and 6 to 94 (μmol TE/g), respectively. Our work provides a detailed examination of region and cultivar effects on potential of ARs in wheat bran and the results can be used for screening and breeding purposes.     

Viscoelastic characterization of a new guar gum derivative containing anionic carboxymethyl and cationic 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl substituents

A new guar gum derivative (CMHTPG) containing anionic carboxymethyl and cationic 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl substituents was characterized with the help of a stress-controlled rheometer for its linear viscoelastic behavior in aqueous systems. The frequency-dependent elastic modulus (G′) and viscous modulus (G″) curves for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/dl of aqueous CMHTPG solutions were found to cross at a given frequency. The crossover frequency value decreased with the increase of CMHTPG concentration. At 25 °C, the longest relaxation time was obtained to be 5.556 s for aqueous 2.0% CMHTPG solution while the shortest relaxation time to be 0.027 s for aqueous 0.5% CMHTPG solution, showing a strong concentration dependence on the viscoelastic properties. Moreover, the complex viscosity (η*) of aqueous CMHTPG solution was found to increase with the increase of CMHTPG concentration, and to decrease with the increase of frequency. By investigating the viscoelastic properties of aqueous CMHTPG salt solutions containing various concentrations of NaCl, it was observed that the addition of NaCl could lead to a slight increase in the G′, G″ or η* value. Temperature was confirmed to have an important influence on the viscoelastic properties of aqueous CMHTPG solution. For aqueous 1.0% CMHTPG solution, the activation energy reflecting the temperature sensitivity of the complex viscosity was determined at the frequency of 1.0 rad/s and found to be 16.94 kJ/mol.     

Enzymatic modification and particle size reduction of wheat bran improves the mechanical properties and structure of bran-enriched expanded extrudates

The aim of this study was to examine enzymatic modification of wheat bran, performed in a low-moisture process, and the reduction of bran particle size as means of improving the technological performance of wheat bran in expanded extrudates. Modification of bran by hydrolytic enzymes increased the crispiness and decreased the hardness and piece density of extrudates containing wheat bran and endosperm rye flour in 20:80 ratio. These improvements correlated (P < 0.01 or 0.05) with an increased content of water extractable arabinoxylan and decreased water holding capacity of the bran, as well as with increased longitudinal expansion of the extrudates. Furthermore, bran with a fine average particle size (84 μm) produced extrudates with improved mechanical properties and higher radial expansion than coarse bran (particle size 702 μm). The impact of bran particle size was also observed in the cellular structure of the extrudates as differences in cell size and homogeneity. The bran drying method, oven or freeze drying after enzymatic modification, did not have a major impact on the properties of the extrudates. The study showed that the functionality of wheat bran in extrusion can be improved by enzymatic modification using a low-water process and by reduction of bran particle size.     

The effect of infrared stabilized rice bran substitution on B vitamins,minerals and phytic acid content of pan breads: Part II

The effect of replacing wheat flour by infrared stabilized rice bran (SRB) at the levels of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0% on the content of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxamine, pyridoxine, minerals and phytic acid in white wheat, wheat bran, and whole grain wheat breads was investigated. The incorporation of SRB significantly increased the amount of the noted B vitamins, especially niacin, in all bread types (p < 0.05). Zinc, iron, potassium and phosphorus levels of the breads increased gradually and significantly with the inclusion of SRB (p < 0.05). Moreover, phytic acid content of the breads increased proportional to the SRB substitution dose (p < 0.05).     

Effects of semidry flour milling on the quality attributes of rice flour and rice noodles in China

To investigate the effects of semidry-milling on the quality attributes of rice flour and rice noodles, the properties of rice flours and cooking properties of rice noodles prepared with wet-, dry- and semidry-milled rice flours were characterized. The level of starch damage of semidry-milled rice flour at 30% moisture was significantly decreased to the level of wet-milled rice flour (P < 0.05); the whiteness of dry-milled rice flour was decreased compared with wet-milled rice flour (P < 0.05), while that of semidry-milled rice flour was not; the wet- and semidry-milled rice flours showed similar morphology and water hydration properties; the dry milling method reduced significantly the hardness, chewiness, and resilience of rice noodles (P < 0.05) compared with wet-milling, but semidry-milling did not; the cooking qualities of rice noodles produced by semidry-milling were comparable to wet-milling. It indicated the semidry-milling at 30% moisture may provide the protective effects on the characteristics of rice flours, which could be used to produce similar qualities of rice noodles to the wet-milling.     

Studies on multigrain milling and its effects on physical,chemical and rheology characteristics of milled streams

The multigrain blends of wheat-green gram-barley in the ratio of C (100:0:0); B1 (90:5:5); B2 (80:10:10); B3 (70:15:15) were co milled using a Buhler roller mill to produce nutritious flour. The studies showed that the yield of straight run flour (SRF) increased gradually with an increase in blending of green gram and barley with wheat. The highest SRF of 79.71% was obtained from the B3 blend. The coarse bran decreased from 15.95% for the control sample to 9.52% for B3 blending. The milling yield of pollard and fine bran showed a decreasing trend from control to B3 blending. In general, flour yield decreased for reduction passages from C1 to C3 and reduction passages produced higher flour compared to break rolls for all blends. The multigrain milling resulted in an increase in protein(113.1–13.35%) and dietary fiber (2.91–4.65%) content of flour, but sedimentation values (52–38 ml), which is the index of flour strength, decreased significantly. The distributions of mineral matters and fat show wide variation among the mill streams and concentrated in coarse and fine brans. The rheological properties of flour obtained showed increased water absorption (55.8–57.5%) and decreased dough stability(5.5–2.8 min), amylograph peak viscosity (388-335BU) and setback (265-224BU) with an increase of multigrain in blends.     

White salted noodle characteristics from transgenic isolines of wheat over expressing puroindolines

The closely linked genes puroindoline a (Pina) and puroindoline b (Pinb) control most of the variation in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain texture. Mutations in either Pina or Pinb result in hard grain with wild type forms of both genes giving soft grain. Asian noodles are prepared from both hard and soft classes of wheat. Our objective was to examine color and texture characteristics of white salted noodles processed from flours of transgenic isolines of Hi-Line hard red spring wheat over expressing Pina-D1a, Pinb-D1a or both and a control giving a range in grain texture from very soft to hard. White salted noodles were prepared and color and texture characteristics were measured. The three softer textured transgenic isolines showed greater change in L^* with time than Hi-Line. The noodles were more adhesive (more negative value), firmer, and chewier as the grain texture became successively softer when cooked at 5 min. These texture differences were not as apparent when noodles were cooked for an optimum time. Starch pasting properties did not explain the noodle textural differences. A possible explanation for the noodle texture differences may be related to starch damage which ranged from 2.2% for HGAB to 6.7% for Hi-Line, flour particle size differences and subsequent water absorption differences among the four genotypes. Over expression of puroindolines did not enhance quality of white salted noodles when prepared under these conditions.     

Structural,rheological and gelatinization properties of wheat starch granules separated from different noodle-making process

In this study, three typical wheat cultivars (ZM366, AK58, and ZM103) with high, medium, and low gluten strength, respectively, were selected as the raw material. The starch granules separated from different stages of the noodle-making process, including kneading, resting, sheeting, cutting, and drying, were used to explore the structure, dynamic rheology, and quality of the noodles. The D50 (median diameter) of the starch granules decreased during the noodle-making process, and the reduction was enhanced by an increase in the gluten strength of the flour. Between steps 4 and 5 of the noodle-making process, the solubility of ZM103 variety increased from 4.3% to 5.0% at 80 °C, while the peak viscosity decreased from 3626 to 3386 mPa s, which resulted in a decrease in the cooking loss of noodles. Similar trend was observed in the ZM366 and AK58 varieties. The gelatinization enthalpy was reduced, suggesting that the crystalline regions of the starch granules were destroyed during the kneading process. Between steps 4 and 5 of the noodle-making process, the elastic modulus of the starch granules significantly increased, while the temperature at which maximum elastic modulus was decreased, indicating an increase in the crystalline stability of starch during the drying process. Correlation analysis indicated that the changes occurred to the gelatinization property was primarily due to the change in the particle size.     

Production of gluten-free wheat starch by peptidase treatment

The potential of peptidase-containing bran extracts from germinated cereals (wheat, emmer, barley) and a peptidase preparation from Aspergillus niger (AN-PEP) to degrade gluten in wheat starch below the threshold for gluten-free foods of 20 mg/kg was compared. The gluten-specific peptidase activity of the peptidases was determined by using gliadin as a protein-based substrate as well as the two celiac-active peptides PQPQLPYPQPQLPY (α-gliadin) and SQQQFPQPQQPFPQQP (γ-hordein). The peptidase activity of AN-PEP exceeded the activities of bran from germinated cereals by a factor up to 690,000. Three wheat starches with initial gluten contents of 110, 1679, and 2070 mg/kg, respectively, were incubated with bran extracts and AN-PEP, lyophilized, and residual gluten was quantitated by a competitive ELISA. Unlike peptidases from bran extracts, AN-PEP was capable of degrading gluten below 20 mg/kg in all starches. The absence of gluten in AN-PEP-treated starches was confirmed by liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry. The properties of gluten-free starches were comparable to the native starches with the exception of a reduced viscosity after AN-PEP treatment. This problem could be overcome by using higher enzyme concentrations and shorter incubation times or by optimizing AN-PEP production for lower residual α-amylase activity.