Evaluation of physico-chemical characteristics and microstructure of tofu containing high viscosity chitosan

Tofu, containing high viscosity chitosan dissolved in a δ-gluconolactone solution, was prepared and physico-chemical properties, microstructure, textural properties and sensory characteristics were investigated. Moisture content and pH of the chitosan tofu were slightly lower than those of the control tofu. The textural properties of tofu such as hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness measured by an instrumental method were not significantly changed by the addition of chitosan to tofu. Springiness of chitosan tofu, however, was significantly higher than that of the control tofu. All characteristics except the roasted nutty aroma and yellowness in the sensory evaluation, did not exhibit significant differences between the chitosan tofu and control tofu. Therefore, the quality of tofu was little affected by the addition of the chitosan content employed in this experiment.