Bran
489377
219252781
2008-06-14T09:24:16Z
Richard New Forest
2962903
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 219183395 by [[Special:Contributions/82.32.70.10|82.32.70.10]] ([[User talk:82.32.70.10|talk]]) Revert: this belongs (if anywhere) in [[Bran (disambiguation)]].
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[[Image:WheatBran.jpg|thumb|right|200px|wheat bran]]
'''Bran''' is the hard outer layer of [[grain]] and consists of combined [[aleurone]] and [[pericarp]]. Along with [[cereal germ|germ]], it is an integral part of [[whole grain]]s, and is often produced as a [[by-product]] of milling in the production of refined grains. When bran is removed from grains, they lose a portion of their nutritional value. Bran is present in and may be milled from any cereal grain, including [[rice]], [[wheat]], [[maize]], [[oat]]s, and [[millet]].
Bran is particularly rich in [[dietary fiber]], and [[Essential fatty acid|omegas]] and contains significant quantitities of [[starch]], [[protein]], [[vitamin]]s, and [[dietary mineral]]s.
Bran is often used to enrich [[bread]]s (notably [[muffin]]s) and [[breakfast cereal]]s, especially for the benefit of those wishing to increase their intake of dietary fiber. Bran may also be used for [[pickling]] ([[nukazuke]]), as in the [[tsukemono]] of [[Japan]].
Rice bran finds particularly many uses in Japan, where it is known as ''nuka'' (糠; ぬか). Besides using it for pickling, Japanese people also add it to the [[water]] when [[boiling]] [[bamboo shoot]]s, and use it for [[dish washing]]. In [[Kitakyushu, Fukuoka|Kitakyushu]] City, it is called ''Jinda'' and used for stewing fish, such as [[sardine]].
Rice bran is a by-product of the rice milling process, and it contains various antioxidants that impart beneficial effects on human health. It is well known that a major rice bran fraction contains 12%-13% oil and highly unsaponifiable components (4.3%). This fraction contains tocotrienol, gamma-oryzanol, and beta-sitosterol; all these constituents may contribute to the lowering of the plasma levels of the various parameters of the lipid profile. Rice bran also contains a high level of dietary fibers (beta-glucan, pectin, and gum). In addition, it also contains 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid), which may also be a component of the structure of non-lignified cell walls.
The high oil content of bran makes it subject to [[rancidification]], one of the reasons that is often separated from the grain before storage or further processing. The bran itself can be heat-treated to increase its longevity.
'''Bran oil''' may be also extracted for use by itself for industrial purposes (such as in the paint industry), or as a [[cooking oil]], such as [[rice bran oil]].
In [[Romania]], the fermented [[wheat]] bran is usually used when preparing sour [[soup]]s, called [[borscht]].
==Bran for pets and companion animals==
Bran is widely used as a major component in pet foods for [[rabbit]]s and [[guinea pig]]s.
Rice bran is sometimes fed to [[horse]]s for its [[equine nutrition|nutritional]] value, particularly as a plant-based fat supplement. It is considered an excellent way to put weight onto a thin horse, without the problems associated with overfeeding grain. Rice bran is also included in some foods for aging [[dog]]s.
Wheat bran is fed to horses in the form of a warm porridge or "mash". Bran mash is considered an excellent way to get the horse to drink more water. It is also indicated for its laxative qualities.
==See also==
*[[Alkylresorcinols]]
*[[Cereal germ]]
*[[Chaff]]
*[[Husk]]
*[[IP6]]
*[[Phytic acid]]
==External links==
* [http://www.tsuno.co.jp/e/06/main2.htm Add Some Rice To Your Life--Advances in Rice-Based Products with Potential Benefits to Health (scientific paper),] by Raxit J. Jariwalla, Ph.D.
* [http://www.nutracea.com NutraCea] ([http://finance.google.com/finance?q=ntrz.ob NTRZ.OB]) A company providing novel methods of rice bran stabilization and stabilized rice bran derivatives extraction.
* [http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=159670 USDA RESEARCH ABSTRACT: ''RICE BRAN: A HEALTH-PROMOTING INGREDIENT''] by Talwinder Kahlon and Gordon Smith.
* [http://www.BranFacts.com BranFacts.com - Rice Bran health information, research abstracts, article links and manufacturer information]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Cereals]]
[[Category:Food ingredients]]
[[de:Kleie]]
[[es:Salvado]]
[[eo:Brano]]
[[fr:Son (botanique)]]
[[it:Crusca]]
[[nl:Zemelen]]
[[ja:糠]]
[[qu:Hamchi]]
[[fi:Lese]]
[[sv:Kli]]
[[zh:米糠]]
[[ru:Отруби]]