Structure and Functional Characteristics of Soybean Protein from Different Northeast Cultivars and Their Effects on the Quality of Soymilk Gel

Soymilk gel quality hinges on soybean protein composition and structure, yet direct comparisons linking protein traits to gel properties are limited. This study compared seven Northeast Chinese soybean varieties to identify which protein characteristics best predict tofu gel quality. Protein analysis included composition (11S/7S ratio), structure, and functional properties. Gel quality was measured through yield, water retention, texture, rheology, and microstructure imaging. Results showed substantial variation among varieties: 11S/7S ratios ranged from 1.14 to 4.10, solubility from 57.50% to 69.74%, gel yield from 193.25% to 236.12%, water-holding capacity from 42.09% to 60.23%, and gel firmness from 1520 to 1889 gf. The 11S/7S ratio emerged as the strongest quality predictor, correlating with gel firmness (R = 0.92) and elasticity (R = 0.98), while solubility correlated with yield (R = 0.79) and water retention (R = 0.83). Microscopy revealed that variety HD-1, with the highest 11S/7S ratio (4.10) and solubility (69.74%), formed dense networks with small pores (20-50 μm), whereas variety HK-60 (ratio 1.14) produced coarse structures with large pores (100-200 μm). HD-1 showed the best overall performance. Varieties with 11S/7S ratios above 3.5 and solubility above 68% consistently produced high-quality gels, while ratios below 2.5 indicated poor gel formation regardless of total protein content. These findings demonstrate that protein composition matters more than protein quantity for tofu quality. The approach enables rapid variety screening and provides practical guidelines for tofu manufacturers and soybean breeders.