Tofu products: A review of their raw materials, processing conditions, and packaging. 2020

Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.

Tofu is a traditional product made mainly from soybeans, which has become globally popular because of its inclusion in vegetarian, vegan, and hypocaloric diets. However, with both commercial production of tofu and scientific research, it remains a challenge to produce tofu with high quality, high nutrition, and excellent flavor. This is because tofu production involves multiple complicated steps, such as soybean selection, utilization of appropriate coagulants, and tofu packaging. To make high-quality tofu product, it is important to systematically understand critical factors that influence tofu quality. This article reviews the current research status of tofu production. The diversity of soybean seeds (the raw material), protein composition, structural properties, and nutritional values are reviewed. Then, selection of tofu coagulants is reviewed to provide insights on its role in tofu quality, where the focus is on the usage of mix coagulants and recent developments with new coagulants. Moreover, a comprehensive summary is provided on recent development in making high-fiber tofu using Okara (the major by-product during tofu production), which has a number of potential applications in the food industry. To help encourage automatic, environmental friendly, and high-efficient tofu production, new developments and applications in production technology, such as ultrasound and high-pressure process, are reviewed. Tofu packaging, including packaging materials and techniques, is evaluated as it has been found to have a positive impact on extending the shelf life and improving the quality of tofu products. Finally, the future research directions and potential areas for new developments are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005511 Food Handling Any aspect of the operations in the preparation, processing, transport, storage, packaging, wrapping, exposure for sale, service, or delivery of food. Food Processing,Handling, Food,Processing, Food
D012639 Seeds The encapsulated embryos of flowering plants. They are used as is or for animal feed because of the high content of concentrated nutrients like starches, proteins, and fats. Rapeseed, cottonseed, and sunflower seed are also produced for the oils (fats) they yield. Diaspores,Elaiosomes,Embryos, Plant,Plant Embryos,Plant Zygotes,Zygotes, Plant,Diaspore,Elaiosome,Embryo, Plant,Plant Embryo,Plant Zygote,Seed,Zygote, Plant
D013025 Glycine max An annual legume. The SEEDS of this plant are edible and used to produce a variety of SOY FOODS. Soy Beans,Soybeans,Bean, Soy,Beans, Soy,Soy Bean,Soybean
D045730 Soy Foods Foods made from GLYCINE MAX. Soy foods are high in DIETARY PROTEINS and PHYTOESTROGENS such as ISOFLAVONES. Soy Sauce,Texturized Soy Protein,Tofu,Bean Curd, Soy,Miso,Natto,Soy Cheese,Tempeh,Texturized Vegetable Protein,Bean Curds, Soy,Cheese, Soy,Cheeses, Soy,Curd, Soy Bean,Curds, Soy Bean,Food, Soy,Foods, Soy,Protein, Texturized Soy,Protein, Texturized Vegetable,Proteins, Texturized Soy,Sauce, Soy,Soy Bean Curd,Soy Bean Curds,Soy Cheeses,Soy Food,Soy Protein, Texturized,Soy Proteins, Texturized,Texturized Soy Proteins,Vegetable Protein, Texturized,Vegetable Proteins, Texturized
D018857 Food Packaging Containers, packaging, and packaging materials for processed and raw foods and beverages. It includes packaging intended to be used for storage and also used for preparation of foods such as microwave food containers versus COOKING AND EATING UTENSILS. Packaging materials may be intended for food contact or designated non-contact, for example, shipping containers. FOOD LABELING is also available. Food Containers,Packaging, Food,Food Container

Related Publications

Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
June 2018, Critical reviews in food science and nutrition,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
January 2019, Critical reviews in food science and nutrition,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
July 2021, Polymers,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
March 2017, Materials (Basel, Switzerland),
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
January 2018, RSC advances,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
March 2021, Foods (Basel, Switzerland),
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
September 2023, International journal of biological macromolecules,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
January 2010, Annual review of food science and technology,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
December 2023, International journal of cosmetic science,
Li Zheng, and Joe M Regenstein, and Fei Teng, and Yang Li
September 2013, Journal of the science of food and agriculture,
Copied contents to your clipboard!