Influence of particle size reduction and high‐intensity ultrasound on polyphenol oxidase, phenolics, and technological properties of wheat bran

Wheat bran is a by-product rich in bioactive compounds, but possess a strong polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, which can act undesirably on product quality. This study aimed to optimize the particle size (500, 255, and 10 µm) of wheat bran and time and amplitude of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) treatment on the PPO activity, total phenolics, antioxidant activity, and water swelling using response surface methodology. The PPO activity decreased depending on the particle size and HIU treatment time. Phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and swelling were dependent on bran particle size. Temperature rise, depending on the HIU time and amplitude, affected PPO, phenolics, and antioxidants. In optimized conditions (particle size 10 µm, HIU 15 min), 93% of bran PPO was inactivated while phenolic content increased for 11%. Wheat flour combined with micronized and ultrasonically treated bran (at 20% wt/wt) had improved gluten formation and pasting properties compared with flour containing native bran. Practical applications Consumers show a growing awareness of health benefits of whole wheat and high-fiber foods. Bran is a by-product of milling industry with a great potential as a functional food ingredient. However, the enzymatic browning of bran containing products that occur during processing worsens their sensory properties, nutritional value, and consumers' acceptance. Currently, new technologies such as micronization and ultrasound treatment are getting more attention in cereal processing. This study showed that the combined micronization and high-intensity ultrasound treatment can successfully inactivate the polyphenol oxidase (up to 93%) from wheat bran, and thus, prevent the enzymatic browning. Also, treated bran can be successfully incorporated up to 20% to wheat flour with lesser disruption of the gluten formation and pasting properties when compared with the native bran. The findings of this study contribute to better future usages of wheat bran in food applications adding the sustainability of cereal chain.