The aim of this research was to prepare water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions encapsulating different concentra-
tions of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and to investigate the effect of W/O emulsions on the physical prop-
erties and microstructure of tofu. The results showed that the stability of W/O emulsions improved as the
concentrations of polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and MgCl2 increased. Dynamic viscoelastic mea-
surements indicated that gelation time decreased with increasing MgCl2 concentration in W/O emul-
sions, suggesting a more rapid reaction between magnesium ions and protein molecules. As the
concentration of MgCl2 in W/O emulsions increased, the yield and water content of tofu decreased, while
the protein and crude fat contents and hardness values increased. At a concentration of 2.0 M MgCl2 in
W/O emulsion, the WHC and microstructure of the tofu samples were optimal. The variations in the physical
properties of tofu were attributed to the concentration of magnesium ions and the coagulation rate.
2016 Elsevier Ltd