Modification of black wheat bran by superfine grinding and Neurospora crassa fermentation: Physicochemical properties, mixed flour quality, steamed bread quality, and flavor

This study investigated the effects of superfine grinding (SG) and Neurospora crassa (Nc) fermentation on the properties of black wheat bran (BWB), the characteristics of its mixed flour, and the flavor of steamed bread. Results showed that anthocyanin was increased by 91.07% through SG treatment (P<0.05). After Nc fermentation treatment, the β-carotene content, total phenolic content, oil-holding capacity (OHC), ABTS⁺ radical scavenging ability, and freeze-thaw stability (FS) were increased by 208.16%, 104.39%, 43.68%, 11.82%, and 17.54%, respectively (P<0.05), while the water-holding capacity (WHC) of BWB was reduced by 42.19% and 13.42% after SG and Nc treatments, respectively (P<0.05). The color and pasting properties of BWB mixed flour were changed by both treatments, and the surface was made looser and more porous. Furthermore, 52 phenolic compounds were identified in SG modified BWB (SG-BWB) and 128 in Nc-fermented modified BWB (Nc-BWB). The flavor compounds in steamed bread produced from mixed flour treated with SG and Nc fermentation were enhanced, particularly in alcohols and terpenes. Notably, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanone, 2-pentylfuran, and (E)-2-hexenal in Nc-BWB steamed bread increased by 2.33, 2.09, 1.66, and 1.13 times, respectively. This study demonstrated SG and Nc fermentation treatment exhibit substantial potential as modification techniques for BWB.