Bread Staling: Molecular Basis and Control

The molecular basis of staling is examined by reviewing what is known about the components of wheat flour, factors that affect staling rate, and the various mechanisms that have been proposed. The conclusion reached is that bread staling is a complex phenomenon in which multiple mechanisms operate. Polymer crystallizations with the formation of supermolecular structures are certainly involved. The most plausible hypothesis is that retrogradation of amylopectin occurs, and because water molecules are incorporated into the crystallites, the distribution of water is shifted from gluten to starch/amylopectin, thereby changing the nature of the gluten network. The role of additives may be to change the nature of starch protein molecules, to function as plasticizers, and/or to retard the redistribution of water between components. Nothing more definite can be concluded at this time.