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Bran is the hard outer layer of grain and consists of combined aleurone and pericarp. Along with germ, it is an integral part of whole grains, and is often produced as a by-product of milling in the production of refined grains. When bran is removed from grains, the grains lose a portion of their nutritional value. Bran is present in and may be milled from any cereal grain, including rice, corn (maize), wheat, oats, barley and millet. Bran should not be confused with chaff, which is coarser scaly material surrounding the grain, but not forming part of the grain itself.

Bran is particularly rich in dietary fiber and essential fatty acids and contains significant quantities of starch, protein, vitamins and dietary minerals.

Rice bran is a byproduct of the rice milling process (the conversion of brown rice to white rice), and it contains various antioxidants that impart beneficial effects on human health. A major rice bran fraction contains 12%-13% oil and highly unsaponifiable components (4.3%).^{[citation needed]} This fraction contains tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E), 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 fibres (beta-glucan, pectin and gum). In addition, it also contains ferulic acid, which is also a component of the structure of nonlignified cell walls. However, some research suggests there are levels of inorganic arsenic (a toxin and carcinogen) present in rice bran. One study found the levels to be 20% higher than in drinking water.^[1] Other types of bran (derived from wheat, oat or barley) contain less arsenic than rice bran, and are just as nutrient rich.^[2]

The high oil content of bran makes it subject to rancidification, one of the reasons that it is often separated from the grain before storage or further processing. The bran itself can be heat-treated to increase its longevity.

Uses of bran[link]

Wheat bran

Bran is often used to enrich breads (notably muffins) and breakfast cereals, 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, in particular, finds 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 shoots, and use it for dish washing. In Kitakyushu City, it is called jinda and used for stewing fish, such as sardine.

In Myanmar, rice bran, called phwei-bya, is mixed with ash and used as a traditional detergent for washing dishes. Rice bran is also stuck to commercial ice blocks to hinder them from melting. It is also burned for fuel for rice mills in the rice growing regions of the Irrawaddy delta.

Use of rice bran as a food item is common among the people of the South Indian state of Kerala.

Rice bran and rice bran oil are widely used in Japan as a natural beauty treatment. The high levels of oleic acid makes it particularly well absorbed by human skin, and it contains over 100 known vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including gamma oryzanol, which is believed to impact pigment development.

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 soups, called borscht.

Bran was found to be the most successful slug deterrent by BBC's TV programme, Gardeners' World.

It is a common substrate and food source used for feeder insects, such as mealworms and waxworms.

Wheat bran has also been used for tanning leather since at least the 16th century^[3]

Bran for pets and livestock[link]

Bran is widely used as a major component in foods for cattle, American bison, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.

Rice bran is sometimes fed to horses for its 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 dogs.

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[link]

• Alkylresorcinols
• Cereal germ
• Chaff
• Phytic acid (IP6)

References[link]

v t e Barley resources History Domestication · Neolithic Revolution · Triticeae Types of barley Genus: Hordeum · Cultivars: Bere Agronomy Barley diseases Trade Australian Barley Board · Canadian Wheat Board · Corn exchange · Production by country · Wheat pool Parts of the plant Bran · Germ · Husk · Kernel · Gluten · Straw Basic preparations Milling: Flour (types) · Groats · Meal · Middlings · Parboiling: As an ingredient Barley bread · Barley honey · Beer · Caffé d'orzo · Irish whiskey · Japanese whisky · Malta · Roasted barley tea · Scotch whisky · Talbina · see also: Category:Barley-based beverages Associated human diseases Gluten sensitivity (Coeliac disease, etc.) Related concepts Bread riot · Cattle feeding · Plant breeding · Refined grains · Staple food · Whole grain Further information

v t e Wheat resources History Domestication · Neolithic Revolution · Tell Abu Hureyra · Tell Aswad · Triticeae Types of wheat Common · Durum · Einkorn · Emmer · Kamut · Norin 10 · Red Fife · Spelt · Winter wheat Agronomy Wheat breeding · Wheat diseases (list) · Wheat mildew Trade Australian Wheat Board · Canadian Wheat Board · Corn exchange · International Wheat Council · Peak wheat · Production statistics · Protein premium · Wheat pool Parts of the plant Bran · Germ · Gluten · Husk · Kernel · Straw Basic preparations None: Wheatberry · Milling: Farina · Flour (types) · Groats · Middlings · Semolina · Parboiling: Bulgur As an ingredient Bread · Couscous · Cracker · Flatbread · Pasta · Wheat beer · Wheat germ oil · Wheat gluten Associated human diseases Exercise-induced anaphylaxis · Gluten sensitivity (Coeliac disease, Wheat allergy, etc.) Related concepts Bread riot · Plant breeding · Refined grains · Staple food · Wheatpaste · Whole grain Further information

Brendan Perry
Brendan Perry on stage in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Brendan Perry
Born	(1959-06-30) 30 June 1959 (age 52) Whitechapel, London
Occupations	Musician, songwriter, producer
Instruments	Vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, twelve-string guitar, bass, keyboards, hurdy gurdy, percussion, Irish bouzouki, mandolin, low whistle, hammered dulcimer
Associated acts	Dead Can Dance, The Scavengers, The Marching Girls, Robin Guthrie
Website	Brendan-Perry.com

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Brendan Perry

Brendan Michael Perry (born 30 June 1959 in Whitechapel, London)^[1] is a singer and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work as the male half of the duo Dead Can Dance with Lisa Gerrard.

Early life[link]

Perry was born in Whitechapel, London, England, UK, in 1959 to Anglo-Irish^{[clarification needed]} parents and subsequently raised and schooled in the East End of London, until his family emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand. Having received no formal musical education, Perry began to play the guitar at the Catholic school he attended in Ponsonby. After failing to become a primary school teacher and to join the civil service, Perry worked at a series of jobs until joining the Scavengers in 1977. At first Perry played bass guitar, later taking on the duties of lead vocalist when the original singer left the band. Apart from a handful of original songs, the band covered music from the Stooges, New York Dolls, and late-'60s Psychedelia. After two years, having failed to secure a recording deal or live dates, the band moved to Melbourne, Australia, in 1979 and changed its name to the Marching Girls. In 1980, Perry left the Marching Girls to pursue a solo career, experimenting with tape loops, synthesis, and alternative forms of rhythm. In 1981, Perry formed Dead Can Dance with Simon Monroe and Paul Erikson (both of whom were to leave soon after they had relocated to London), and Lisa Gerrard.

Career[link]

The Scavengers and The Marching Girls[link]

Though now primarily known for his quiet introspective work with Dead Can Dance, Perry's first musical forays were in a markedly different style. In 1977, Perry was a leading member of New Zealand punk rock band the Scavengers, working under the pseudonym of Ronnie Recent. Perry started as the band's bass player, becoming lead vocalist after a lineup change in 1978. In 1979, the band moved to Melbourne and changed its name to the Marching Girls. Perry left the band in 1981. Perry's work with these two bands can be found on the compilation album AK79 and on a compilation of Scavengers singles that was recently released on CD. The Scavengers are regarded as New Zealand's equivalent of the Buzzcocks, with the Perry co-penned song "Mysterex" regarded as one of the country's best and most distinctive punk-rock singles. The Marching Girls also reached the New Zealand singles charts in 1980 with "True Love."

Dead Can Dance[link]

Dead Can Dance originally formed as a quartet in 1981 in Melbourne, with Perry, drummer Simon Monroe, bass player Paul Erikson, and, last to join the band, Lisa Gerrard. In 1982, Dead Can Dance moved to London leaving Simon Monroe in Australia. Peter Ulrich played drums on the band's first demos, concerts and recordings. Paul Erikson soon left the band to fly back to Australia, leaving the band a duo. The band went on to record eight albums on the 4AD Records record label beginning with the self-titled Dead Can Dance album, which was released in February 1984.

Solo career[link]

In 1999, Perry released his solo album Eye of the Hunter on 4AD Records. The album contained songs written by Perry and a cover of Tim Buckley's song "I Must Have Been Blind." Perry would eventually cover three more Tim Buckley songs: "Happy Time," "Chase the Blues Away," and "Dream Letter."

Around 2001, Perry did the music for a 10-minute film (Mushin) made by Graham Wood, who designed the artwork of the box set Dead Can Dance (1981-1998) and the album Wake.

Perry announced his departure from 4AD in September 2008, and promised a new album titled Ark in early 2009. According to a reply Perry made to a comment on his MySpace blog, the new album will be very different from Eye of the Hunter, notably because it will feature rhythm machines and electric guitars. "Utopia," a demo version of a song from the album, was made available on his MySpace blog.^[2] Ark was eventually released on 7 June 2010.^[3]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 1978: The Scavengers: The scavengers (first LP from Perry's punk band)
• 1980: AK79 (compilation, Scavengers & Marching girls)

• 1999: Eye of the Hunter (solo)
• 2008: London ICA (13 Year Itch Festival) (solo, only available as a mp3/mp4 download)^[4]
• 2010: Ark (solo)

Contributions[link]

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• Opera Multi Steel: Stella obscura (CD, "Du chant des elfes")
• The 13 Year Itch (4AD compilation,"Happy time" 1993)
• Elijah's Mantle: Angels of perversity (1993, "Paradis IAC" & "Quem di dilicunt -part two")
• Hector Zazou: Sahara Blue (1994, "Youth" & "Black Stream [w/Lisa Gerrard]")
• Hector Zazou: Songs from the cold seas (1994, "Annuka suaren neito" & "Adventures in the Scandinavian skin trade" )
• Rare on Air (KCRW compilation, "The Captive Heart" 1994)
• CoEx: Synaesthesia (1995, "Chant of Amergin" )
• Hector Zazou & Harold Budd: Glyph (1995, "Around the corner from everywhere")
• Hector Zazou: Lights in the dark ("Gol na dtrí Muire" & "In ainm an athar le bua" & "Caoine Mhuire" )
• Barbara Gogan & Hector Zazou: Made on Earth (1997, "True love")
• "Sunset Heights" 1997 (movie soundtrack by Perry)
• "Greenwood voice of the celtic myth" (compilation, "Balor's song" ; 1997)
• Peter Ulrich: Pathways and dawns (programming & sequencing, guitars, hurdy gurdy & tin whistles: Brendan Perry)
• Sing a Song for You (Tim Buckley tribute album,"Dream letter" 2000)
• Zoar: Clouds without water (2003, "Winter wind" & "Wakeworld")
• Piano Magic: Ovations (2009, "The Nightmare Goes On" & "You Never Loved This City")

References[link]

External links[link]

• Brendan-Perry.com (official website)
• Dead-Can-Dance.com (English/Italian fansite, incl. Perry)
• Muzic net's Scavengers page
• Discography
• Interview ca. 2001 with Perry