Development of Tofu Processing Machine for 300-Mesh Soybean Micro Powder

Abstract

Tofu is one of the foods processed using soybeans in Korea, Japan and China that contains vegetable oil and abundant high-quality protein. Tofu production can be done manually or by using technology (machinery). Tofu manufacturing procedures consist of soaking, grinding, filtration, boiling, coagulation, and shaping. Tofu processing itself is also known to greatly affect the taste, quality, and texture of tofu produced. Therefore, in its processing, the process must be considered properly, include the machine used. Tofu production is also generally known still to cause environmental pollution due to waste products produced, okara. Okara causes environmental pollution due to protein damage and loss of water-soluble amino acids. In order to overcome that problem, the development of a tofu processing machine based on soybean micro-powder was carried out in this study. Micro powders were predicted can be used as one of the solutions to remove Okara. The tofu processing machine procedures were developed consist of mixing soybean powder, boiling process, coagulation, packing, up to sterilization. The system developed in the machine including the mixing and boiling vessels that are separated to increase the production speed; coagulation device; packing system consisted of plastic pack dispenser, film holder, sealer, cutter, motor and chain; and also sterilization system (at 85°C for 30 minutes). The machine developed in this study did not use a press system like making tofu in general. The result of this study showed that tofu obtained had a softer texture than pressed tofu. This is likely due not only to the omission of the physical pressing process during the manufacturing of tofu, but also to the coagulators used and the content of soluble dietary fibers.