RECENT APPLICATIONS OF DEBRANNING OF WHEAT BEFORE MILLING

Wheat debranning, a process in which the bran layers of wheat are remo ved sequentially by friction and abrasion operations in modified rice polishers, has enormous potential in wheat processing. In the case of durum wheat, the yield and degree of refinement of the semolina produc ed following debranning are significantly improved. There is conflicti ng evidence about the ability of debranning to improve the yield and r efinement of common wheat flour; however, regardless of wheat class, a major advantage of debranning before milling is lower capital investm ent because simplification of the mill flow allows more compact plants for a given capacity. The by-products of debranning hold great promis e as novel food ingredients with physicochemical and nutritional prope rties that differ from those of previously available wheat products.