Evaluation of Various Baking Methods for Polished Wheat Flours

Flour qualities of polished wheat flours of three fractions, C‐1 (100–90%), C‐5 (60–50%), and C‐8 (30–0%), obtained from hard‐type wheat grain were used for the evaluation of four kinds of baking methods: optimized straight (OSM), long fermentation (LFM), sponge‐dough (SDM) and no‐time (NTM) methods. The dough stability of C‐5 in farinograph mixing was excellent and the maturity of polished flour doughs during storage in extensigraph was more improved than those of the commercial wheat flour (CW). There were no significant differences in the viscoelastic properties of CW dough after mixing, regardless of the baking method, while those of polished flour doughs were changed by the baking method; this tendency became clear after fermentation. The polished flours could make a better gluten structure in the dough samples after mixing or fermentation using LFM and SDM, as compared with other baking methods. Baking qualities such as specific volume and storage properties of breads from all polished flours made with SDM increased more than with other methods. In addition, viscoelastic properties of C‐5 and C‐8 doughs fermented by SDM were similar to those of CW, and the C‐5 breadcrumb showed softness similar to that of the CW. Also, SDM could make C‐5 bread with significantly higher elasticity and cohesiveness after storage for five days when compared with CW bread. Therefore, SDM with long fermentation, as compared with other baking methods, was considered suitable for use with polished flours to give better effects on dough properties during fermentation, resulting in more favorable bread qualities.     

Effects of Commercial Hydrolytic Enzyme Additives on Japanese‐Style Sponge and Dough Bread Properties and Processing Characteristics

The effects of increasing levels of eight commercial fungal enzymes enriched in four types of activity (α‐amylase, protease, xylanase, or cellulase) on Japanese‐style sponge and dough bread quality and processing characteristics have been studied using a Canadian red spring wheat straight‐grade flour. At optimum levels, the enriched α‐amylases, xylanases, and cellulases increased loaf volume and bread score and reduced crumb firmness, while the proteases only reduced crumb firmness. For α‐amylases, xylanases, and cellulases, optimum levels for crumb firmness were obtained at higher levels of addition than for loaf volume and bread score. At high levels of addition, all four enriched enzyme types reduced loaf volume and bread score and increased crumb firmness relative to optimum levels, with the proteases showing the most dramatic effects. α‐Amylases and cellulases had little impact on dough mixing requirements, while xylanases increased and proteases greatly reduced mixing requirements. All enzymes at optimum levels reduced sheeting work requirements, resulting in softer more pliable dough. Optimum bread properties for α‐amylases, xylanases, and cellulases were attained within a relatively narrow range of dough sheeting work values. This similarity in response suggests a dominant common nonspecific mechanism for their improver action, which is most likely related to water release and the resulting impact on physical dough properties.     

Effects of Monoglycerides of Varying Fatty Acid Chain Length and Mixtures Thereof on Sponge‐and‐Dough Breadmaking Quality

Monoglycerides are widely used in the baking industry because of their antistaling effects, mainly suppressing crumb firming. Commercial monoglycerides are normally prepared from hydrogenated fats, with stearate being the most common fatty acid. In a previous study, monoglycerides such as monopalmitate (C16) and monostearate (C18) had positive effects on Canadian short process bread but no improvements on sponge‐and‐dough process (SDP) bread. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of saturated monoglycerides of varying fatty acid chain length (C14–C22) on SDP breadmaking quality by using volume judgment, crumb image analysis, and texture measurements. Higher levels (1.00–1.50%) of all monoglycerides (C14, C16, and C18) significantly (P < 0.05) increased loaf volume and cell diameter. The larger cell diameter with increasing levels of these monoglycerides may have resulted from softer, more extensible dough handling properties and greater gas cell stability during baking. Addition of C16 and C18 caused the largest increase in crumb softness with increasing monoglyceride levels but showed relatively low resilience, which might be related to larger loaf volume (i.e., lower density of bread). However, addition of blended monoglycerides C14+C16 increased crumb softness and loaf volume while partially retaining resilience. Each monoglyceride had a different function in breadmaking quality and somewhat positive effects on SDP.     

Staling of Bread: Role of Amylose and Amylopectin and Influence of Starch‐Degrading Enzymes

The present investigation aims at understanding the mechanism of bread firming during staling. Changes in the starch fraction due to the addition of amylases and their influence on the texture of bread crumb were studied during aging and after rebaking of stale bread. Pan bread was prepared by a conventional baking procedure. The influence of three different starch‐degrading enzymes, a conventional α‐amylase, a maltogenic α‐amylase, and a β‐amylase were investigated. The mechanical properties of bread were followed by uniaxial compression measurements. The microstructure was investigated by light microscopy, and starch transformations were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray powder diffraction. Firming of bread crumb and crystallization of starch are not necessarily in agreement in systems with added amylases. Reorganization of both starch fractions, amylopectin and amylose, and the increase of starch network rigidity due to increase of polymer order are important during aging. Starch‐degrading enzymes act by decreasing the structural strength of the starch phase; for instance, by preventing the recrystallization of amylopectin or by reducing the connectivity between crystalline starch phases. On the other hand, starch‐degrading enzymes may also promote the formation of a partly crystalline amylose network and, by this, contribute to a kinetic stabilization of the starch network. Based on the results, a model for bread staling is proposed, taking into account the biphasic nature of starch and the changes in both the amylose and amylopectin fraction.     

Effects of Commercial Hydrolytic Enzyme Additives on Canadian Short Process Bread Properties and Processing Characteristics

The effects of increasing levels of eight commercial enzymes representing four types of fungal hydrolytic enzymes (α‐amylases, proteases, xylanases, and cellulases) on Canadian short process (CSP) bread quality and processing characteristics were studied. Addition of all enzymes types at optimum levels resulted in increased loaf volume and bread score and softer crumb. All four types of enzymes appeared to be equally effective in improving bread properties compared with the controls. At high levels, greater tolerance to the addition of xylanases and cellulases compared with the addition of α‐amylases and proteases was apparent. Mixing requirements increased with increasing levels of α‐amylase but no change was apparent with the other enzymes. Addition of all enzymes reduced sheeting work requirements, indicating a dough softening effect. Optimum bread properties for all enzymes were attained within a relatively narrow range of dough sheeting work values, which presumably correspond to optimum dough handling properties. The similarity in response of bread and sheeting characteristics at optimum levels of addition for all four enzyme types suggests a common nonspecific mechanism for improver action that is probably related to water release and the resulting impact on physical dough properties.     

HPLC Determination of Stability and Distribution of Added Folic Acid and Some Endogenous Folates During Breadmaking

Bread flour was spiked with folic acid (1.40 mg/lb or 3.08 μg/g of flour) and processed into bread by the sponge and dough method. Changes that occurred to added folic acid and endogenous folate contents through different processing stages, including sponge formation, proofing, and baking, were assessed by reversed‐phase ion‐pair HPLC combined with UV and fluorometric detection. Sample extraction required α‐amylase and rat plasma deconjugase digestion, and sample preparation required purification by solid‐phase extraction. Added folic acid was measured by monitoring UV absorption at 280 nm. Four selected forms of endogenous folates including tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5‐formyl‐THF, 10‐formylfolate, and 5‐methyl‐THF were identified and quantified throughout the bread processing using a fluorescence excitation wavelength of 290 nm and emission wavelength of 350 or 450 nm. Data indicate a relatively good stability of added folic acid and native folates to the baking process, and increased endogenous folate contents in dough and bread as compared with the flour from which they were made.     

Dough Properties and Bread Quality of Wheat–Barley Composite Flour as Affected by β‐Glucanase

Barley is rich in nutritionally positive compounds, but the quality of bread made of wheat–barley composite flours is impaired when a high percentage of barley is used in the mixture. A number of enzymes have been reported to be useful additives in breadmaking. However, the effect of β‐glucanase on breadmaking has scarcely been investigated. In this paper, the influence of different levels (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08%, based on composite flour) of β‐glucanase (100,000 U/g) on the properties of dough and bread from 70% wheat, 30% barley composite flour were studied. Although dough development time, dough stability, and protein weakening value decreased after β‐glucanase addition, dough properties such as softness and elasticity as well as bread microstructure were improved compared with the control dough. β‐Glucanase also significantly improved the volume, texture, and shelf life of wheat–barley composite breads. The use of an optimal enzyme concentration (0.04%) increased specific volume (57.5%) and springiness (21%), and it reduced crumb firmness (74%) and staling rate. Bread with added β‐glucanase had a better taste, softness, and overall acceptability of sensory characteristics compared with the control bread. Moreover, the quality of wheat–barley composite bread after addition of 0.04% β‐glucanase was nearly equal to the quality of pure wheat bread. These results indicate that dough rheological characteristics and bread quality of wheat–barley composite flour can be improved by adding a distinct level of β‐glucanase.     

Dough and Baking Properties of High‐Amylose and Waxy Wheat Flours

The dough properties and baking qualities of a novel high‐amylose wheat flour (HAWF) and a waxy wheat flour (WWF) (both Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated by comparing them with common wheat flours. HAWF and WWF had more dietary fiber than Chinese Spring flour (CSF), a nonwaxy wheat flour. Also, HAWF contained larger amounts of lipids and proteins than WWF and CSF. There were significant differences in the amylose and amylopectin contents among all samples tested. Farinograph data showed water absorptions of HAWF and WWF were significantly higher than that of CSF, and both flours showed poorer flour qualities than CSF. The dough of WWF was weaker and less stable than that of CSF, whereas HAWF produced a harder and more viscous dough than CSF. Differential scanning calorimetry data showed that starch in HAWF dough gelatinized at a lower temperature in the baking process than the starches in doughs of WWF and CSF. The starch in a WWF suspension had a larger enthalpy of gelatinization than those in HAWF and CSF suspensions. Amylograph data showed that the WWF starch gelatinized faster and had a higher viscosity than that in CSF. The loaves made from WWF and CSF were significantly larger than the loaves made from HAWF. However, the appearance of bread baked with WWF and HAWF was inferior to the appearance of bread baked with CSF. Bread made with WWF became softer than the bread made with CSF after storage, and reheating was more effective in refreshing WWF bread than CSF bread. Moreover, clear differences in dough and bread samples were revealed by scanning electron microscopy. These differences might have some effect on dough and baking qualities.     

Correlation of Quality Parameters with the Baking Performance of Wheat Flours

The baking performance of a set of flours from 13 wheat cultivars was determined by means of two different microscale baking tests (10 g of flour each). In the micro‐rapid‐mix test the dough was mixed for a fixed time at a high speed, whereas the microbaking test used mixing to optimum dough consistency in a microfarinograph. Quality parameters such as sedimentation value, crude protein content, dough and gluten extension data, and microfarinograph data were also determined. Finally, quality‐related protein fractions (gliadins, glutenins, SDS‐soluble proteins, and glutenin macropolymer) were quantitated by extraction/HPLC methods with reversed‐phase and gel‐permeation columns. All quality parameters were correlated with the bread volumes of both baking tests. The results demonstrated that the microbaking test (adapted mixing time) was much more closely related to the quality parameters than the micro‐rapid‐mix test (fixed mixing time), which hardly showed any correlation. Among the standard quality parameters, only the crude protein content showed a medium correlation with the bread volume of the microbaking test (r = 0.71), whereas the contents of gliadins (r = 0.80), glutenins (r = 0.76), and glutenin macropolymer (r = 0.80) appeared to be suitable parameters to predict the baking performance of wheat flour. All other quality parameters were not or were only weakly correlated and unsuitable for predicting baking performance.     

Viscosity and Solubility of β‐Glucan Extracted Under In Vitro Conditions from Barley β‐Glucan‐Fortified Bread and Evaluation of Loaf Characteristics

Fortifying bread with β‐glucan has been shown to reduce bread quality and the associated health benefits of barley β‐glucan. Fortification of bread using β‐glucan concentrates that are less soluble during bread preparation steps has not been investigated. The effects of β‐glucan concentration and gluten addition on the physicochemical properties of bread and β‐glucan solubility and viscosity were investigated using a less soluble β‐glucan concentrate, as were the effects of baking temperature and prior β‐glucan solubilization. Fortification of bread with β‐glucan decreased loaf volume and height (P ≤ 0.05) and increased firmness (P ≤ 0.05). Gluten addition to bread at the highest β‐glucan level increased height and volume (P ≤ 0.05) to values exceeding those for the control and decreased firmness (P ≤ 0.05). β‐Glucan addition increased (P ≤ 0.05) extract viscosity, as did gluten addition to the bread with the highest β‐glucan level. Baking at low temperature decreased (P ≤ 0.05) β‐glucan viscosity and solubility, as did solubilizing it prior to dough formulation. Utilization of β‐glucan that is less soluble during bread preparation may hold the key to effectively fortifying bread with β‐glucan without compromising its health benefits, although more research is required.     

Structural Properties of Starch in Bread and Bread Model Systems: Influence of an Antistaling α‐Amylase

The influence of an antistaling α‐amylase on bread crumb and on wheat starch gels was investigated taking into account different levels of structural hierarchy. Bread was prepared by a conventional baking procedure. Starch gels were produced by heating a concentrated starch dispersion in closed molds. Bread and starch gels were characterized by compression tests, light microscopy (LM), differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray measurements. The α‐amylase enhanced the initial firmness of starch gels and reduced the firming rate of bread and starch gels on aging. LM revealed that amylose and amylopectin phase‐separated within the starch granules and that freshly baked control bread and starch gels showed weak birefringence which became more intense during aging. Amylase‐containing bread and starch gels exhibited strong birefringence in the amylose rich region of the granules directly after baking which did not significantly increase during aging. The enzyme hindered the retrogradation of amylopectin as detected by differential scanning calorimetry, whereas X‐ray diffraction indicated that the enzyme induced low levels of starch crystallinity which did not change during aging. It is hypothesized that the antistaling effect of the amylase is based on the capacity to partially degrade amylopectin and, by this, to hinder its recrystallization. On the other hand, the enzyme slightly degrades amylose by an endo‐mechanism which, in turn, promotes the rapid formation of a partly crystalline amylose network in fresh bread and hinders amylose rearrangements during aging.     

In Situ Production of Prebiotic AXOS by Hyperthermophilic Xylanase B from Thermotoga maritima in High‐Quality Bread

In situ enrichment of bread with arabinoxylan‐oligosaccharides (AXOS) through enzymic degradation of wheat flour arabinoxylan (AX) by the hyperthermophilic xylanase B from Thermotoga maritima (rXTMB) was studied. The xylanolytic activity of rXTMB during breadmaking was essentially restricted to the baking phase. This prevented problems with dough processability and bread quality that generally are associated with thorough hydrolysis of the flour AX during dough mixing and fermentation. rXTMB action did not affect loaf volume. Bread with a dry matter AXOS content of 1.5% was obtained. Further increase in bread AXOS levels was achieved by combining rXTMB with xylanases from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis or Bacillus subtilis. Remarkably, such a combination synergistically increased the specific bread loaf volume. Assuming an average daily consumption of 180 g of fresh bread, the bread AXOS levels suffice to provide a substantial part of the AXOS intake leading to desired physiological effects in humans.     

Changes in Distribution of Isoflavones and β‐Glucosidase Activity During Soy Bread Proofing and Baking

Bread made partially with soy may represent a viable alternative for increasing soy consumption in populations consuming Western diets. The potential health‐promoting activity of soy isoflavones may depend on their abundance and chemical form. The objective of this study was to characterize the changes in isoflavone distribution and β‐glucosidase activity during the soy breadmaking process. Soy bread ingredients were combined and mixed to form a dough that was subsequently proofed at 48°C for 1–4 hr and baked at 165°C for 50 min to produce breads. The isoflavone composition and β‐glucosidase activity in bread ingredients, doughs, and breads were monitored. Soy ingredients and wheat flour (not bread yeast) were the major contributors of the β‐glucosidase activity in bread. No degradation of isoflavones was observed during breadmaking but the isoflavone distribution was largely altered. Proofing and baking have important but different roles in changing the isoflavone distribution. Proofing converted isoflavone β‐glucosides to aglycones by highly specific β‐glucosidase activity. Thermal treatment during baking significantly decreased the isoflavone malonylglucosides and increased isoflavone β‐glucosides. Enzyme activity during proofing and the balance between formation and deconjugation of isoflavones during baking determine the isoflavone content and composition in the final product.     

Breadmaking Quality of Selected Durum Wheat Genotypes and Its Relationship with High Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits Allelic Variation and Gluten Protein Polymeric Composition

Twenty‐seven durum wheat genotypes originating from different geographical areas, all expressing LMW‐2 at Glu‐B3, and five bread wheats were evaluated for flour mixing properties, dough physical characteristics, and baking performance. Gluten polymeric composition was studied using size‐exclusion HPLC of unreduced flour protein extracts. As a group, durum wheats had poorer baking quality than bread wheats in spite of higher protein and total polymer concentrations. Durum wheats exhibited weaker gluten characteristics, which could generally be attributed to a reduced proportion of SDS‐unextractable polymer, and produced less extensible doughs than did bread wheats. However, substantial variation in breadmaking quality attributes was observed among durum genotypes. Better baking performance was generally associated with greater dough extensibility and protein content, but not with gluten strength related parameters. Extensibility did not correlate with gluten strength or SEHPLC parameters. Genotypes expressing high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW‐GS) 6+8 exhibited better overall breadmaking quality compared with those expressing HMW‐GS 7+8 or 20. Whereas differences between genotypes expressing HMW‐GS 6+8 and those carrying HMW‐GS 7+8 could only be attributed to variations in extensibility, the generally inferior baking performance of the HMW‐GS 20 group relative to the HMW‐GS 6+8 group could be attributed to both weaker and less extensible gluten characteristics.     

Changes in Phytate Content in Whole Meal Wheat Dough and Bread Fermented with Phytase‐Active Yeasts

The degradation of inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) was evaluated in whole meal wheat dough fermented with baker's yeast without phytase activity, different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (L1.12 or L6.06), or Pichia kudriavzevii with extracellular phytase activity to see if the degradation of IP6 in whole meal dough and the corresponding bread could be increased by fermentation with phytase‐active yeasts. The IP6 degradation was measured after the dough was mixed for 19 min, after the completion of fermentation, and in bread after baking. Around 60–70% of the initial value of IP6 in the flour (10.02 mg/g) was reduced in the dough already after mixing, and additionally 10–20% was reduced after fermentation. The highest degradation of IP6 was seen in dough fermented with the phytase‐active yeast strains S. cerevisiae L1.12 and P. kudriavzevii L3.04. Activity of wheat phytase in whole meal wheat dough seems to be the primary source of phytate degradation, and the degradation is considerably higher in this study with a mixing time of 19 min compared with earlier studies. The additional degradation of IP6 by phytase‐active yeasts was not related to their extracellular phytase activities, suggesting that phytases from the yeasts are inhibited differently. Therefore, the highest degradation of IP6 and expected highest mineral bioavailability in whole meal wheat bread can be achieved by use of a phytase‐active yeast strain with less inhibition. The strain S. cerevisiae L1.12 is suitable for this because it was the most effective yeast strain in reducing the amount of IP6 in dough during a short fermentation time.     

Synergistic Hydrolysis of Crude Corn Starch by α‐Amylases and Glucoamylases of Various Origins

Four α‐amylases and two glucoamylases from various sources, in eight combinations, were used to study the synergistic hydrolysis of crude corn starch at various temperatures. At 40 and 50°C, the combinations containing Rhizopus mold glucoamylase enhanced hydrolysis of corn starch compared wth that obtained with the combinations from Aspergillus niger. At 60°C, Rhizopus mold combinations gave low reaction yields as the enzyme was inactivated. The differences observed between α‐amylases are smaller, with the exception of Bacillus licheniformis α‐amylase, which presented more than twice the productivity of the other α‐amylases, at all temperatures. In terms of substrate conversion at 5 hr of hydrolysis, the combination of B. licheniformis α‐amylase with Rhizopus mold glucoamylase at 50°C presents 76% substrate conversion, whereas, with all the other combinations, starch conversion was 13–73%. HPLC analysis of the reaction products obtained at 50°C showed that the main product of corn starch hydrolysis was glucose at 85–100%. Further experiments showed that A. niger glucoamylase and B. licheniformis α‐amylase were the only enzymes that retained their initial activity after incubation at the temperatures studied.     

Centrifuged Liquid and Breadmaking Properties of Frozen‐and‐Thawed Bread Dough

Breadmaking properties (bread height, mm, and specific volume, cm³/g ) showed marked deterioration when bread dough was frozen and stored at ‐20°C for one day. However, these properties of bread dough baked after storage for three to six days were not further deteriorated as compared with that baked after one day of storage. A large amount of liquid was oozed from the frozen‐and‐thawed bread dough. The liquid was separated from the bread dough by centrifugation (38,900 × g for 120 min at 4°C), and collected by tilting the centrifuge tube at an angle of 45° for 30 min. There was a strong correlation between the amount of centrifuged liquid and breadmaking properties (bread height and specific volume). The mechanism responsible for the oozing of liquid in frozen‐and‐ thawed bread dough was studied. The presence of yeast and salt in bread dough was suggested to be closely related to the amount of centrifuged liquid, and fermented products particularly had a large effect on the amount of centrifuged liquid.     

Description of Chemical Changes Implied During Bread Dough Mixing by FT‐ATR Mid‐Infrared Spectroscopy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to identify physicochemical changes in the French bread dough mixing process. An ATR FT‐MIR spectrometer at 4000–800 cm^–1 was used. The MIR spectra collections recorded during mixing were analyzed after standard normal variate using principal component analysis (PCA) and after second‐derivative treatment. The results were interpreted in terms of chemical changes involved in dough development and more particularly in terms of secondary structural protein changes (amide III). The loading spectrum associated with principal component 1 (PC1) allows three MIR wave number regions of variations (3500–3000, 1700–1200, and 1200–800 cm^–1) to be identified. The loading spectrum associated with PC1 describes an increase in the relative protein band intensities and a decrease in relative water and starch band intensities. The variation during bread dough mixing time of the different amide III bands identified after the second‐derivative show that α‐helical, β‐turn, and β‐sheet structures increase while random coil structure decreases, suggesting that the gluten structure is becoming a more ordered structure. The MIR mixing time identified as being the maximum scores value on the PC1 scores plots was associated with the time at which the dough apparent torque begin to collapse, suggesting that the MIR spectroscopy could monitor bread dough development.     

Bread Quality Relationship with Rheological Measurements of Wheat Flour Dough

The rheological properties of wheat doughs prepared from different flour types, water contents, and mixing times for a total of 20 dough systems were studied. The results were compared with the results of standard baking tests with the same factors. Water and flour type had a significant effect on storage modulus (G′) or phase angle measured by an oscillatory test both in the linear viscoelastic region and as a function of stress, and on compressional force measured as a function of time. The correlation of maximum force of dough in compression and G′ of dough measured within the linear viscoelastic region was r = 0.80. Correlation between the compression and oscillation test improved when all measuring points of the G′ stress curve were included (r = 0.88). The baking performance of the different doughs varied greatly; loaf volumes ranged from 2.9 to 4.7 mL/g. Although the water content of the dough correlated with the rheological measurements, the correlation of G′measured in the linear viscoelastic region or maximum force from stress‐time curve during compression was poor for bread loaf volumes. Mixing time from 4.5 to 15.5 min did not affect the rheological measurements. No correlation was observed with the maximum force of compression or G′ of dough measured in the linear viscoelastic region and baking performance. Good correlation of rheological measurements of doughs and baking performance was obtained when all the data points from force‐time curve and whole stress sweep (G′ as a function of stress) were evaluated with multivariate partial least squares regression. Correlation of all data points with loaf volume was r = 0.81 and 0.72, respectively, in compression and shear oscillation.     

Bran Characteristics and Bread‐Baking Quality of Whole Grain Wheat Flour

Variations in physical and compositional bran characteristics among different sources and classes of wheat and their association with bread‐baking quality of whole grain wheat flour (WWF) were investigated with bran obtained from Quadrumat milling of 12 U.S. wheat varieties and Bühler milling of six Korean wheat varieties. Bran was characterized for composition including protein, fat, ash, dietary fiber, phenolics, and phytate. U.S. soft and club wheat brans were lower in insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and phytate content (40.7–44.7% and 10.3–17.1 mg of phytate/g of bran, respectively) compared with U.S. hard wheat bran (46.0–51.3% and 16.5–22.2 mg of phytate/g of bran, respectively). Bran of various wheat varieties was blended with a hard red spring wheat flour at a ratio of 1:4 to prepare WWFs for determination of dough properties and bread‐baking quality. WWFs with U.S. hard wheat bran generally exhibited higher dough water absorption and longer dough mixing time, and they produced smaller loaf volume of bread than WWFs of U.S. soft and club wheat bran. WWFs of two U.S. hard wheat varieties (ID3735 and Scarlet) produced much smaller loaves of bread (<573 mL) than those of other U.S. hard wheat varieties (>625 mL). IDF content, phytate content, and water retention capacity of bran exhibited significant relationships with loaf volume of WWF bread, whereas no relationship was observed between protein content of bran and loaf volume of bread. It appears that U.S. soft and club wheat bran, probably owing to relatively low IDF and phytate contents, has smaller negative effects on mixing properties of WWF dough and loaf volume of bread than U.S. hard wheat bran.