Solid-state fermentation by S. cerevisiae with high resistance to ferulic acid improves the physicochemical properties of wheat bran and quality of bran-rich Chinese steamed bread

Wheat bran has numerous health benefits, but its poor processing and sensory properties limit its application in the staple food industry. Fermentation by S. cerevisiae changes the performance of wheat bran. However, high levels of ferulic acid (FA) inhibit S. cerevisiae. The effects of solid-state fermentation of S. cerevisiae with high resistance to FA on the physicochemical properties of wheat bran and the quality of bran-rich Chinese steamed bread (CSB) were investigated. The results showed that the growth of S. cerevisiae was inhibited by FA in a dose-dependent manner. Short-term adaptation strategies efficiently improved the tolerance of S. cerevisiae to FA stress. Compared with the parental strain (PS), fermentation of the short-term adapted strains (adapted strains) significantly increased the FA, total phenol, and soluble dietary fiber content in wheat bran. Wheat bran fermented by the adapted strains had a higher antioxidant capacity than wheat bran fermented by PS. In addition, compared with the PS, the wheat bran fermented by the adapted strains can decrease the hardness, improve the specific volume, and the quality of CSB. Thus, solid-state fermentation of the adapted strain is a potentially effective method to improve the nutritional and physicochemical properties of wheat bran as a cereal food ingredient.