molecules Review Wheat Bran Modifications for Enhanced Nutrition and Functionality in Selected Food Products Oluwatoyin O. Onipe 1,*, Shonisani E. Ramashia 1 and Afam I. O. Jideani 1,2 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa;
[email protected] (S.E.R.);
[email protected] (A.I.O.J.) 2 Postharvest-Handling Group, ISEKI-Food Association, 1190 Vienna, Austria * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: The established use of wheat bran (WB) as a food ingredient is related to the nutritional components locked in its dietary fibre. Concurrently, the technological impairment it poses has impeded its use in product formulations. For over two decades, several modifications have been investigated to combat this problem. Ninety-three (93) studies (review and original research) pub- lished in English between January 1997 and April 2021 reporting WB modifications for improved nutritional, structural, and functional properties and prospective utilisation in food formulations were included in this paper. The modification methods include mechanical (milling), bioprocessing (enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with yeasts and bacteria), and thermal (dry heat, extrusion, autoclaving), treatments. This review condenses the current knowledge on the single and com- bined impact of various WB pre-treatments on its antioxidant profile, fibre solubilisation, hydration Citation: Onipe, O.O.; Ramashia, properties, microstructure, chemical properties, and technological properties. The use of modified S.E.; Jideani, A.I.O. Wheat Bran WB in gluten-free, baked, and other food products was reviewed and possible gaps for future re- Modifications for Enhanced Nutrition search are proposed.