“…In order to improve its durability, many authors have studied the process of bread staling, 5,6 by means of different techniques: X-ray diffraction, 7,8 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 9,10 Differential Scanning Calorimetry, 1,4.11-15 texture measurements, 5,7,13,16 dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, 8 polarizedlight microscopy observations, 17 measurements of various types of mechanical and rheological parameters, 18 sometimes accompanied by sensory evaluation carried out by a group of panelists. 5,12,13 Among others, also middle and near infrared spectroscopy (MIR and NIR) have been used to study the bread staling process, 15,16,19,20 proving the effectiveness of these techniques to this aim. In particular, MIR seems to be valuable in following the molecular conformational changes, since the band shape reflects the degree of ordering that is present in the system, while NIR reflects both chemical and physical aspects, but mainly the changes of hydrogen bonding in the starch crystalline network.…”