Using a stone
mill (MB250; Partisani, Forlì, Italy), the grains were ground into
three fractions, as flour, fine bran and bran. Semi-wholemeal was
formed from flour with a particle size below 260 microns plus fine
bran with a particle size between 260 microns and 1060 microns,
while excluding the 5% to 7% of the bran that corresponded to
the outer part of grain. Refined semolina was made using a laboratory
mill (MLU 202; Bühler Brothers, Uzwill, Switzerland) with a
six-roller system, three breaking and three sizing passages, and
an attached semolina purifier, for a fineness range of 200 microns
to 315 microns. Commercial durum wheat semolina (Barilla G. & R.
Fratelli Spa, Parma, Italy) was purchased in the local market.