Impact of Thermal Stabilization on Nutritional, Functional, and Molecular Properties of Six Different Cultivars of Wheat Bran

Wheat bran is an important by-product in the cereal industry. It is considered one of the amplest and most economically cheap sources of insoluble fiber and is rich in minerals and various bioactive compounds. In this research, the antioxidant, functional, and molecular properties of bran were screened in six different cultivars of wheat, viz. HUW-234, PBW-373, WH-1105, PBW-502, HD-2967, and PBW-343. In the present study, the methods, namely, DPPH, TPC, and FRAP, were used for the screening of antioxidant properties, bulk density, WAC and OAC for functional properties, and tannin, trypsin inhibitor and phytate for anti-nutritional properties. Our results showed that in thermally processed wheat bran (Autoclaved, Hot air oven, Microwave, Toasting), the antioxidant activity increased in comparison to native wheat bran, whereas water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) compared to native bran. In addition, a significant reduction in the anti-nutritional factor was also observed. Moreover, FTIR in different wheat bran cultivars showed the presence of the C-H group, -CH stretch, -NH group, -OH group, phenols group, -C=O group, mostly aldehyde group, L-glucose, cyclodextrins, –C-OH bending vibrations, and halogen compound (C-Cl). The study showed differences in antioxidant and functional properties of bran obtained from different wheat cultivars. The thermal technique is a very useful treatment for increasing nutritional properties. Wheat bran utilization in daily life helps prevent many chronic diseases, such as colon cancer, constipation, heart disease, etc.