Comprehensive Evaluation of Three Important Herbs for Kombucha Fermentation


Öztürk B. E. T., Eroğlu B., Delik E., Çiçek M., Çiçek E.

Food Technology and Biotechnology, vol.61, no.1, pp.127-137, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 61 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.17113/ftb.61.01.23.7789
  • Journal Name: Food Technology and Biotechnology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), Compendex, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.127-137
  • Keywords: antibacterial activity, bioactivity, cytotoxic activity, kombucha, phenolic substance, sensory evaluation
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Research background. Kombucha is consumed worldwide for its beneficial health effects. Kombucha teas fermented with various herbal infusions have become very important nowadays. Although black tea is used for kombucha fermentation, kombucha teas fermented with different herbal infusions have gained great importance. In this study, three different traditional medicinal plants, namely hop (Humulus lupulus L.), madimak (Polygonum cognatum) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) were used for the fermentation of kombucha beverages, and the bioactivity of these beverages was investigated extensively. Experimental approach. The microbiological profile, bacterial cellulose formation, antibacterial, antiproliferative and antioxidant activities, sensory properties, total phenolic content and flavonoid content of kombucha beverages were investigated. Liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify and quantify specific polyphenolic compounds in the samples. Results and conclusions. According to the results, the hawthorn-flavoured kombucha, which has lower free radical scavenging activity than the other samples, came into prominence in terms of sensory properties. All examined kombucha beverages showed a strong cytotoxic effect on Mahlavu and HCT116 cell lines, but only the madimak-flavoured kombucha sample, which had a higher total phenolic/flavonoid content, had antibacterial activity against all microorganisms used in the study. Novelty and scientific contribution. Considering the results of this study, madimak could be an effective herb for the development of new kombucha beverages, although its sensory properties still need to be improved. This study contributes to science in terms of producing new fermented beverages with improved beneficial health effects.