In the first chapter of this study, dried noodle containing high-content whole tofu was developed. Whole tofu (60 wt%) which has more protein and dietary fiber than tofu, potato starch (34 wt%), and curdlan (2-4 w/w%) were used as the main materials. ...
In the first chapter of this study, dried noodle containing high-content whole tofu was developed. Whole tofu (60 wt%) which has more protein and dietary fiber than tofu, potato starch (34 wt%), and curdlan (2-4 w/w%) were used as the main materials. The elasticity (G') and viscosity (G'') of the dough increased as the curdlan was added. The high temperature (45 ℃) resting process was applied to control the moisture of the dough. After 45 minutes of the resting process at 45°C, the dough’s elasticity (G') increased more than 50% compared to the not rested sample. Therefore, curdlan 4% and 45 min of the resting process at 45 ℃ were set to make the optimized dough and dried noodle. The noodle’s texture properties including hardness and gumminess increased more than 10%. In addition, cooking time and cooking loss decreased presenting improved cooking quality. Consequently, as a result of the addition of curdlan and the resting process, the dried noodle with improved quality and convenience was developed.
In the second chapter, a new strategy that maximizes the effect of curdlan gelation in making the whole tofu dough was proposed. In order to set the optimal temperature for gelation and gelatinization, the temperature of the resting process was set to 55 ℃. It means that curdlan gelation occurs and wheat starch does not gelatinize (60 ℃). As a result of the resting process at 55 ℃, the value of water absorption doubled due to the gelation of curdlan. Besides, both elasticity (G') and viscosity (G'') increased by approximately 50%. The hardness and gumminess of the 55 ℃ rested sample increased by 100% and 15%, respectively than other samples. Even though the gelation of curdlan slightly disrupted gluten structure, however, curdlan gel strengthened the internal structure of the dough. As a result, the use of wheat starch, curdlan, and the 55 ℃ resting process contributed significantly to improving the whole tofu dough's quality.
Through these studies, the dried whole tofu noodle that highly nutritious, convenient, and enhanced quality was developed. Furthermore, a method to improve the quality of dough through curdlan gelation was proposed. These results are expected to be applied to manufacture various dough-based products such as cookies or bread.