Improving storage property of wheat bran by steam explosion

Steam explosion (SE) was exploited for stabilizing wheat bran (WB), and its effects on nutrients retention of WB were investigated. Result showed that SE could effectively inactivate lipase and peroxidase of WB at 0.8 MPa (170 degrees C) for 5 min while lipid and protein were not loss. Total flavonoids, phenolics contents, soluble dietary fibre content and DPPH radical scavenging activity in WB after SE increased by 198%, 83%, 27% and 21% respectively compared with those after conventional thermal sterilization (0.1 MPa (121 degrees C) for 20 min), while fatty acid value and peroxide value and insoluble dietary fibre content deceased by 21%, 75% and 24%, respectively. SE inhibited hydrolysis rancidity of wheat bran and reconstituted whole wheat flour (wholemeal) in the accelerated storage test. Therefore, SE may be a new efficient technology that could stabilize cereal bran and further promote its products development.