Abstract:To investigate the effects of jet-milled and air-classified rice bran fractions on bread processing quality, defatted rice bran (RB) was utilized as raw material. Rice bran coarse (RBC) and fine (RBF) fractions were obtained through jet milling and air classification techniques. Their nutritional composition and particle size distribution were analyzed, and their impacts on bread processing quality were systematically examined. It was observed that the compositional profiles of different rice bran fractions were altered by jet milling and air classification treatment. The dietary fiber content in RBC was increased, whereas protein and phytic acid contents were reduced. Conversely, opposite trends were demonstrated in that of RBF. Significant reductions in average particle size were achieved in both RBC and RBF groups, showing 37.06% and 97.34% decreases respectively, while particle size uniformity was improved. Compared with the RB group, RBC addition was found to extend dough stability time, enhance both elastic modulus (G') and viscous modulus (G') of dough, and improve bread processing quality. These improvements were manifested through 46.05% increase in specific loaf volume and 15.12% reduction in crumb hardness. In contrast, finer RBF particles exhibited opposite effects, deteriorating farinograph characteristics and dough rheological properties while weakening bread quality attributes. It was revealed that RBF with smaller particle size promoted gluten protein depolymerization more effectively than RB, as evidenced by 23.94% decrease in glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content and 42.13% increase in free sulfhydryl groups. However, RBC showed no significant influence on these parameters. This study established differential impacts of jet-milled rice bran fractions on bread processing quality. RBC was identified as an effective modification to mitigate the negative effects of rice bran incorporation in bread production. These findings provide technical support for expanding rice bran applications in baked products.