What is the Difference Between Husk and Bran

The main difference between husk and bran is that husk is the hard, protective cover of nuts or grains to be removed before consuming whereas bran is the broken seed coat of cereal grains to be separated during the milling process. Furthermore, in general, husk has no nutritional value while bran is rich in dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, starch, protein, vitamins, and dietary minerals.

Husk and bran are two protective outer layers in grains, especially in cereal grains. They are supposed to be removed during the milling process.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Husk
     – Definition, Structure, Importance
2. What is a Bran
     – Definition, Structure, Importance
3. What are the Similarities Between Husk and Bran
    – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Husk and Bran
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bran, Cereal Grains, Dietary Fiber, Husk, Seed Coat, Vitamins

What is a Husk

Husk is the hard outer covering mainly in seeds. The other two interchangeable names used to describe the husk are the hull and the shell. The main function of the husk is to protect the seed. Also, it consists of opaline silica and lignin. However, the protective outer covering of fruits is known as the peel.

Figure 1: Rice Husk

Furthermore, the milling process which removes the husk is known as husking or dehulling. The product of this process is called dehulled grains. Generally, the loose form of husk is important for energy production either by combustion or gasification.

What is a Bran

Bran is the seed coat of the cereal grains. It is made by combining the aleurone and pericarp. It is an integral part of the whole grain and a byproduct of the milling process, which results in the refined form of grain. Generally, bran occurs in rice, wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, etc.

Figure 2: Nutritional Content of Wheat

Though the bran is often removed from grains, it is rich in nutrients including dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, starch, protein, vitamins, and dietary minerals. However, the bran tends to undergo rancidification due to its high oil content; thereby, most people remove it before storing or further processing. However, its high nutritional content helps to enrich breakfast cereals and bread. Moreover, the wheat bran is used to feed both cattle and poultry.

Similarities Between Husk and Bran

• Husk and bran are two types of a protective outer covering of cereal grains.
• Also, both are supposed to be removed during the milling process.

Difference Between Husk and Bran

Definition

Husk refers to the dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds while bran refers to the pieces of grain husk separated from flour after milling. Thus, this is the main difference between husk and bran.

Also Known as

The husk is also known as the hull while the bran is also known as the miller’s bran.

Occurrence

Another difference between husk and bran is that husk is the outermost layer of the seed while the bran occurs inside the husk.

Nutritional value

While husk has no nutritional value, bran has a high nutritional value as it contains dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, starch, protein, vitamins, and dietary minerals. Hence, this is another difference between husk and bran.

Consumption

Consumption is another major difference between husk and bran. Husk cannot be consumed while bran can be consumed by humans and cattle.

Milling Process

The milling process which removes the husk is called husking while the milling process which removes the bran is called polishing.

When Removed

It is called de-hulled when the husk has been removed while it is called refined when the bran has been removed.

Importance

One more important difference between husk and bran is that the husk is used to produce energy while the bran is used to enrich breakfast cereal and to feed cattle and poultry.

Conclusion

Husk is the hard outer covering of seeds. It should be removed before consuming. Also, husk has no nutritional value. In comparison, bran is the seed coat of cereal grains. It is extremely nutritious as it contains dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The process of husk-removal is known as de-husking while the process of bran-removal is known as polishing. The main difference between husk and bran is their location and importance.

References:

1. “By-Products.” By-Products – IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Rice husk” By GST HBK – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 
2. “Wheat-kernel nutrition” By Wheat-kernel_nutrition.svg: Jkwchuiderivative work: Jon C (talk) – Wheat-kernel_nutrition.svg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia