Isoflavone profiles of soymilk as affected by high-pressure treatments of soymilk and soybeans

High hydrostatic pressure was applied to hydrated soybeans (100–700 MPa, 25 °C) and soymilk (400–750 MPa; 25 and 75 °C) to assess its effect on isoflavone content, profile and water-extractability. Neither pressure level nor initial treatment temperature affected soymilk isoflavone content. However, combined pressure and mild thermal treatment modified the isoflavone distribution. At 75 °C, the isoflavone profile shifted from malonylglucosides toward β-glucosides, which was correlated to the effect of adiabatic heating. When pressure was applied to the hydrated soybeans, the soymilk isoflavone concentration varied between 4.32 and 6.06 μmol/g. The content of protein decreased and fat increased in soymilks prepared from pressurized soybeans with increasing pressure level.     

Changes in quality characteristics of tofu with freezing treatment of soybeans

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of length of freezing time (?18°C for 5 or 24 h) on the quality characteristics of tofu. The yield and moisture content of tofu obtained from frozen soybean were lower than control tofu. Tofu made from frozen soybeans showed higher hardness, gumminess and chewiness than the control. Freezing treatment also made the microstructure of the tofu more uniform than the control. However, after 24-h freezing, hardness decreased and the microstructure of tofu appeared to form pores. Sensory evaluation showed that mouth-feel decreased with an increase of freezing time. Among all of tofu frozen at ?18°C, 5-h freezing treatment showed the highest overall acceptability. These results indicate that the length of time that soybeans are frozen before making tofu affects the quality of tofu.     

The viscoelastic properties of soybean curd (tofu) as affected by soymilk concentration and type of coagulant

The viscoelastic properties of different types of tofu were investigated. Soymilk concentrations were 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9%. Coagulants used were 30 mm CaSO₄ or 30 mm glucono‐delta‐lactone (GDL). As the concentration of soymilk was increased viscosity and handling difficulties increased. A high concentration of soymilk in tofu gave a high break stress and produced hard tofu. The four‐element Burgers model fitted the creep behaviour and both viscous and elastic parameters could be acquired from model analysis, reflecting changes in elasticity and viscosity of tofu. The constant viscous parameter in the model increased with increasing soymilk concentration. The viscous parameters of viscoelastic materials like tofu gel, obtained from small deformation tests, seemed to correlate, to some extent, with the break stress obtained from large deformation tests. For hard tofu production increasing the soymilk concentration within a certain range and the partial replacement of calcium sulphate coagulant by GDL could be effective options.     

Changes of soybean quality during storage as related to soymilk and tofu making

ABSTRACT:  Soybeans are stored and transported under various humidity and temperature conditions. Soymilk and tofu are two of the most important foods made from whole soybeans. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of storage conditions on soybean quality as related to soymilk and tofu-making properties. Soybeans of 3 different genotypes (Proto, IA2032, and Vinton 81) were stored in varying conditions: temperature ranging from 4 to 50 °C, relative humidity from 55% to 80%, initial moisture content from 6% to14%, and storage time up to 15 mo depending upon storage conditions. The effects of different storage conditions on soybean color, solids and protein extractability, soymilk pH, tofu yield, tofu solids and protein contents, tofu color, and texture were investigated. While no significant changes occurred for the soybeans stored at 4 °C, the soybeans stored at high temperatures (30 to 50 °C) exhibited significant quality loss ( P < 0.05). The degradation of soybean lightness (Hunter L ), color difference (Δ E ), and solid extractability exhibited a linear relationship with time. Soak weight decreased at high temperature and relative humidity, but increased at mild storage conditions. Several combinations of storage conditions at temperatures exceeding 30 °C produced a drastic loss in tofu yield. Storage also affected the tofu making process by reducing optimum mixing time to produce the highest tofu yield. Varietal difference in soybean storability was observed. The results provided useful information for the soybean processing industry to store soybeans using the optimal storage conditions and to estimate soybean quality after storage.     

Soybean cultivars impact quality and function of soymilk and tofu

The functional properties of soymilk and tofu prepared from Benning and Danbaekkong soy cultivars were identified. The protein content in soymilk was significantly higher for Danbaekkong, at 46.4 g kg^?1, than for Benning at 42.0 g kg^?1. The 11S/7S globulin ratios of Danbaekkong and Benning were estimated at 0.93 and 0.38, respectively. Soymilk from Danbaekkong was more non‐Newtonian (n = 0.69) than soymilk from Benning (n = 0.84). Tofu prepared from Danbaekkong was significantly harder, chewier and gummier than tofu from Benning. Differences in protein content, protein ratio, viscosity, textural properties and color of soymilk can be applied as indicators of quality and functionality in soy foods such as tofu. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of different coagulants on yield and quality of tofu from soymilk

Soymilk tofu coagulated with four indigenous coagulants was compared in terms of chemical, textural, colour, and sensory attributes with calcium sulphate (CS) coagulated tofu. Coagulants used are Epsom salt (ES), lemon juice (LJ), alum and top water of fermented maize (TWFM). Protein and magnesium content significantly (P < 0.05) increased from 44.5 to 51.7 g/100 g and 252 to 324.6 mg/100 g, respectively, in soybean grain to soymilk. Calcium and magnesium contents increased and decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in tofu coagulated with CS and ES, respectively. Lightness (L) values were 86.3, 86.2, 77.8, 72.4 and 84.6, redness (a) values are 0.34, 0.21, 0.87, 1.05 and 0.32, and yellowness (b) values were 24.0, 23.9, 27.3, 20.3 and 23.4 for CS, ES, LJ, alum and TWFM. The hardness, chewiness and brittleness of textural properties of tofu were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by different sources of coagulation. Sensory evaluation data shows that LJ impacts a significantly acceptable sensory attribute to tofu. This study has demonstrated that tofu quality is affected by the type of coagulant used in curding the soymilk.     

Characteristics of soybeans as affected by soaking conditions

The water absorption of soybeans in soaking is directly related to the changes in textural characteristics and grinding properties of soybeans for processing. In this study, we determined the characteristics of water absorption, solid loss, and moisture content, textural characteristics and grinding properties of soybeans at four different soaking temperatures, 10°C, 20°C, 30°C, and 40°C, and various soaking times up to 8 h. We found that the solid loss increased significantly when the soaking temperature increased from 30°C to 40°C. The measured moisture data of soaked soybeans fitted well with the data predicted using Peleg's equation. Rupture force and maximum tangent and secant modulus measured by the compression test decreased as the moisture increased, up to 122%. The grinding property of soaked soybeans was related only to the final moisture content and not to the soaking conditions. High soaking temperature could significantly reduce the required soaking time. Based on these results, we recommend that soybeans be soaked to minimal final moisture content of 120% before grinding.     

Stability of soybean seed composition and its effect on soymilk and tofu yield and quality

Soymilk was made from 10 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] lines grown at three locations for 2 years, using an 18:1 water/soy protein ratio. Tofu was made with either glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) or calcium sulphate dihydrate (CS). Genotype and year effects were substantially greater than location effects on soybean protein content and seed composition; soymilk and tofu yield, solids levels, and pH; and tofu colour, hardness, and firmness. Genotype by location and genotype by year interaction effects were minor relative to the genotype and year effects. Yield of soymilk, GDL tofu, and CS tofu, which averaged 7.39 l, 6.29 kg, and 6.15 kg per kg soybeans, respectively, were all positively correlated with seed protein and stachyose, and negatively correlated with seed oil, free sugar, sucrose and remainder content. Seed protein was positively correlated with tofu hardness and firmness, while seed oil, free sugar, sucrose, and remainder content were generally negatively correlated with tofu quality parameters. Results of stepwise regression analysis showed that seed protein was the major determinant of soymilk yield and solids content, while soymilk yield was, in turn, the major factor determining GDL tofu yield. Procedures used in making soymilk and tofu play a major role in determining which seed component has a major effect on soymilk and tofu yield and quality.     

An interlaboratory test of a procedure to assess soybean quality for soymilk and tofu production

A method for preparing soymilk and tofu has been developed to be used in assessing the suitability of new soybean varieties for soyfood production; the coagulants were glucono-delta-lactone and CaSO_4·2H₂O. The method was tested in two separate laboratories using four soybean varieties developed in Canada, three were food grade and the fourth was an oilseed variety. The soymilk and tofu pH was similar regardless of variety or lab. For soymilks yield and total solids there were significant differences (P⩽0.01) detected among varieties and between laboratories. For tofu yield and total solids the variety effects were significant in both locations (laboratories). Although reproducibility was very good within each laboratory, for each treatment there was some lack of reproducibility across laboratories. The method is best suited for use in comparative studies using a base standard as reference and is a good tool for assessing the quality of new soybean varieties for food use.     

Phytochemical profiles of black and yellow soybeans as affected by roasting

The current research aimed to compare the changes of phytochemicals, antioxidants, and anti-nutritional factors of yellow and black soybeans upon roasting. Yellow soybean was roasted at 210°C for 35 min and 230°C for 25 min, and black soybean was roasted at 210°C for 30 min and 230°C for 25 min. Isoflavones were significantly increased after the roasting process, while trypsin inhibitor was significantly decreased. The roasting process combined with the soaking process led to decrease in anthocyanin, soyasaponin, and antioxidant capacities. Black soybeans had more apparent variations in compounds than the yellow soybeans. For black soybeans, the processing under 230°C for 25 min presented more decrease in trypsin inhibitor and anthocyanin content. The roasting at a high temperature and short time produced products with a light color. Roasting combined with the soaking process had negative impacts on both yellow and black soybeans, but there were slight differences in the resultant compounds between different roasting temperatures.     

Coagulation process of soymilk characterized by electrical impedance spectroscopy

Soymilk coagulation process is the most important step in tofu making. An experimental setup was developed to control the coagulation temperature and heating rate by ohmic heating and to perform impedance measurement in time-sharing mode. Soymilk coagulation process was characterized by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Frequency 10 kHz was chosen to analyze the coagulation process. Normalized conductivity was useful in determination of the endpoint of soymilk coagulation process. The coagulation process was considered as two successive first-order reactions. The rate constant in the first stage was 10 times higher than that in the second stage, both rate constants increased with coagulation temperature. The activation energy in the second stage was three times greater than that in the first stage. The successive reaction process was elucidated by using soymilk coagulation mechanism. The use of impedance measurement to analyze the coagulation process provides a basis for the control of soymilk coagulation process.     

Selected odor compounds in cooked soymilk as affected by soybean materials and direct steam injection

ABSTRACT:  Soy odor is a major concern in the consumption of soymilk by Western consumers. The objectives of this study were to determine selected soy odor compounds as affected by soybean materials and direct steam injection and to determine if the steam-injection method affected overall cooked soy aroma of the soymilk and compared to the soymilk cooked by a traditional indirect method. Five varieties of soybeans with or without lipoxygenases were processed by direct-steam injection for up to 20 min at 100 °C. Eight selected odor compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography after extraction using a solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) method. Hexanal, hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-octen-3-one, and trans-2-nonenal decreased whereas 2-pentylfuran and trans-2, trans-4-decadienal increased by boiling up to 20 min. The results showed that soybean variety was a significant factor to affect odor compositions. Direct steam injection cooked soymilk resulted in lower odor contents than a traditional indirect cooking method. The advantage of having a low odor composition in the heated soymilk products made from lipoxygenases-null soybean varieties could be attained by using normal soybean materials with direct steam injection.     

Optimization of yield and properties of silken tofu from soybeans.

The extraction phase of the preparation of silken tofu was investigated and the ratio of beans:water was shown to be very critical in terms of the amount of protein extracted and the properties of the tofu. In the range 9–14:1, 10:1 gave the best result. Extraction at 8:1 and making up to 10:1 gave much poorer results, but maceration at 8:1 followed by a further extraction at 2:1 gave a better quality tofu. The time of maceration was shown to have a pronounced effect on the amount of protein extracted.     

Behavior of functional compounds during freeze concentration of tofu whey

The liquid waste generated from tofu production, denominated as Tofu Whey (TW), contains important amounts of isoflavones that can be evaluated by various separation techniques. In this work TW was concentrated by falling-film freeze concentration from 1.9 to 15.5 °Brix, up to levels of 208 mg of isoflavones per 100 g solids. The levels of isoflavones, proteins, sugars, calcium and magnesium were determined both in the ice and in the concentrate obtained. It was found by rheological characterization that TW shows a Newtonian behavior at concentrations between 1.9 and 15.5 °Brix with freezing points of −0.6 to −2.7 °C.     

Changes in quality characteristics of fresh-cut jujubes as affected by pressurized nitrogen treatment

When fresh-cut jujubes are subjected to pressurized nitrogen treatments, the nitrogen gas dissolves into water and forms clathrate hydrates which ultimately lead to restriction in water mobility. Fresh-cut jujubes were, respectively, treated with 1.0 MPa nitrogen, 1.5 MPa nitrogen, 1.9 MPa nitrogen and 1.9 MPa air for 30 min at 4 °C and without pressurized treatment(control) and then stored at 4 °C and 80 % relative humidity (RH) for 12 days. Physiological, textural, chemical, and microbial attribute were determined every 2 days. Results indicated that pressurized nitrogen treatments carried out at 1.5 MPa successfully inhibited respiration, water loss, softening, chlorophyll degradation, and color change. The treatments also significantly reduced loss of ascorbic acid and soluble solids. Treated fresh-cut jujubes carried significantly less microbial population. Thus, it was concluded that pressurized nitrogen treatment was beneficial to preserve quality of fresh-cut jujubes.     

Content composition and antioxidant activity of isoflavones in commercial and homemade soymilk and tofu

BACKGROUND: Isoflavones, found in soymilk and tofu, are one of the phytochemicals in soy‐based products that may promote good health. Homemade tofu and various homemade soymilk samples were made using different soaking, grinding, and cooking methods. The homemade samples were compared to commercial tofu and soymilk for total isoflavone content and composition as well as their antioxidant capacity. All samples were freeze‐dried and extracted with a 58% acetonitrile solution which was subsequently used to determine the isoflavone content by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using a modified 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) method and total antioxidant capacity was reported as ascorbic acid equivalents. RESULTS: The total isoflavone, aglycone, and antioxidant levels were significantly higher in homemade soymilk and tofu (1571 µg) than in commercial samples. Homemade soymilk made by the extended boiling method yielded the highest total isoflavone (2567 µg) and glucoside (1525 µg) content. A strong positive correlation was observed between the total isoflavone, aglycone conjugates, and genistein series concentration and antioxidant capacity of soymilk. CONCLUSION: Increased moist heating time yielded the highest concentration of total isoflavones as well as aglycone conjugates and the genistein series. Increasing the duration of boiling can increase the isoflavone content of both homemade and commercial soymilk and tofu. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hydration properties,soymilk and okara yield of soybean affected by agronomic factors

The effects of row space and irrigation on 100‐seed weight water uptake, leaching loss, soymilk, and okara yield of soybean were investigated. Row space affected leaching loss, whereas irrigation significantly altered 100‐seed weight, water uptake, volume change, leaching loss, and the soymilk yield of soybeans. Irrigation on the third day resulted in desirable hydration properties. The soymilk yield significantly correlated (p < 0.01 or 0.05) to the hydration properties, e.g., 100‐seed weight, water uptake, volume change, and leaching loss. A predictive regression model (R = 0.860) has been proposed for the soymilk yield.     

Hydration properties,soymilk and okara yield of soybean affected by agronomic factors

The effects of row space and irrigation on 100-seed weight water uptake, leaching loss, soymilk, and okara yield of soybean were investigated. Row space affected leaching loss, whereas irrigation significantly altered 100-seed weight, water uptake, volume change, leaching loss, and the soymilk yield of soybeans. Irrigation on the third day resulted in desirable hydration properties. The soymilk yield significantly correlated (p < 0.01 or 0.05) to the hydration properties, e.g., 100-seed weight, water uptake, volume change, and leaching loss. A predictive regression model (R = 0.860) has been proposed for the soymilk yield.     

Effect of components extracted from okara on the physicochemical properties of soymilk and tofu texture

ABSTRACT:  The physicochemical properties of soymilk and the texture of tofu were compared with regard to 2 kinds of soymilk, one of which was prepared by squeezing homogenates before heating and the other was prepared by squeezing after heating raw soymilk with okara, residue of soymilk production. Relative particulate protein content and viscosity were higher and pH was lower in the soymilk prepared by the latter method, in which liberated lipid bodies were decreased and more lipids were precipitated with protein after centrifugation, suggesting a change in the interaction between proteins and lipids. A difference in the distribution of proteins and lipids was also implied by analysis with a laser particle size analyzer. The breaking stress of tofu made with 0.30% glucono-delta-lactone increased in accordance with an increase in particulate protein. The calcium and magnesium contents increased in soymilk prepared by squeezing after heating with okara. Viscosity was slightly increased and pH decreased by adding calcium to the soymilk, but the particulate protein content and breaking stress of tofu did not increase significantly. To examine the effect of macromolecules, okara was extracted by boiling and dialyzed. Viscosity and particulate protein content in soymilk increased as the dialyzed extracts of the okara were added. The breaking stress of tofu was increased by adding the dialyzed extracts but excessive amounts of the extracts resulted in softer tofu. Spectra of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electrophoresis-separated patterns of proteins indicated that the dialyzed extracts contained mainly polysaccharides and the Basic 7S globulin protein.     

Effect of thermal pretreatment of raw soymilk on the gel strength and microstructure of tofu induced by microbial transglutaminase

The influence of thermal pretreatment of raw soymilk on the gel hardness and microstructure of tofu, induced by microbial transglutaminase (MTGase), was investigated in this paper. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that individual proteins in soymilk were to a various extent denatured by different thermal pretreatments. The viscosity of the soymilk and the gel hardness of MTGase-induced tofu were more highly related with the heating rate (up to 90 °C) than the mode of heating. At any enzyme concentration of MTGase, the tofus prepared from soymilk heated at 75 °C for 10 or 30 min showed highest gel hardness among all tested ones (P?0.05). Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the microstructure of the tofu from soymilk heated at 75 °C for 30 min had a unique coral-like structure, much more continuous and homogenous than that from soymilk at 95 °C for 5 min. These results confirmed that the appropriate heat pretreatment (e.g. in the present, at 75 °C for 10-30 min) remarkably improved the gel strength of tofu by means of MTGase, and strengthened the tofu gel structure.