The present study evaluated the effects of solid state yeast treatment and thermal processing on the extractability and in-vitro bioavailability of antioxidants from wheat bran and whole-wheat pizza crusts, and developed sample outreach materials for promoting the consumption of whole-wheat functional foods. The first section analyzed the effect of solid-state yeast treatment on the extractable antioxidant properties of wheat bran. Wheat bran was treated with ten commercially available food grade yeasts under solid state conditions. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by measuring total phenolic content, and radical scavenging capacities against the cation ABTS, peroxyl (ORAC), DPPH (RDCS), and hydroxyl (HOSC) radicals. Results showed that under the selected conditions, yeast strain LBE.11 was able to increase ORAC and HOSC radical scavenging by 50% and 67%, respectively.

The second part of this study evaluated the impact of bran particle size, fermentation time, and baking time and temperature on the 100% ethanol extractable antioxidant capacities of whole wheat pizza crust. Results showed that pizza crusts produced with reduced bran particle size maintained antioxidant capacity throughout thermal processing. At 18 hrs of fermentation RDSC and TPC values of the pizza crusts were increased by 17% and 23%, respectively. Increasing baking temperature increased RDSC values by 14 and 17% for pizza crusts prepared with Lakin and Trego variety wheat, respectively. The third part of this study analyzed the in-vitro bioavailability of wheat antioxidants in baked pizza crusts. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by measuring total phenolic content, and radical scavenging capacities against the cation ABTS, peroxyl (ORAC), DPPH (RDCS), and hydroxyl (HOSC) radicals. Pizza crusts with higher available antioxidants may have a greater level of bio-available antioxidants.

The final segment of this research was to develop a tri-fold for promoting the consumption of whole wheat foods. The tri-fold was designed to include food-specific knowledge, consumption consequences knowledge in addition to recipes and directions, and nutritional facts. Integrating research findings into outreach materials may be an effective way to increase functional food consumption. Results from these studies indicate that there are numerous ways to increase antioxidant levels in the diet.