a dimer
of ferulic acid formed a cross-linked between pentosans (Fig.5). Two active centers in ferulic
acid were thought to account for the increase in viscosity via cross-linking. One was the
aromatic nucleus while the other was the activated double bond. Only the activated double
bond in ferulic acid was involved in the gelation process. The formation of such cross-links
through covalent binding of protein and polysaccharide chains could affect the rheology of
the dough. Kim and D′Appolonia (1977) suggested that pentosans decreased the rate of bread
staling by decreasing the amount of starch components available for crystallization.