• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2022

In this study, to determine the importance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in Kombucha fermentation, biological functions, such as organic acid production and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, of Kombucha, with or without LAB inoculation, were evaluated. Lactobacillus paracasei DK215, Saccharomyces cerevisiae C3, and Acetobacter pasteurianus P2 were selected as the inoculants. Organic acids were measured every 3 days from the end of fermentation using HPLC; the organic acid content of LAB-inoculated Kombucha was relatively high. Samples with or without LAB inoculation showed high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The MTT assay results indicated no significant difference in concentration difference and cell death. In the NO production test, compared with the uninoculated Kombucha sample, the LAB-inoculated Kombucha sample exhibited a value similar to that of the group without LPS treatment. The levels of cytokine (IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α) production were significantly lower than those of the LPS(+) group, indicating the anti-inflammatory activity potential of the Kombucha sample. This improvement in the biological function of the LAB-inoculated Kombucha further verifies the value of LAB in the fermented food and beverage industry.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2002

Factors affecting the production of bacterial cellulose and organic acids in Kombucha fermentation were investigated. Kombucha was obtained by the fermentation (for 12 days at 3$0^{\circ}C$) of the green/black tea extract, supplemented with 10% white sugar, using an Oriental tea fungus as starter. Hitgher initial pH increased acid production with decreased cellulose production. With a cellulose pellicle or tea fungus broth as a starter, a 1~3 mm thick cellulose layer developed as a top layer every four days, and was removed subsequently while continuing fermentation. Addition of 30 mL tea fungus broth (13%, v/v) in Kombucha fermentation resulted in maximum production of a cellulose pellicle, indicating weak acid production. Yield of cellulose production at an early stage of fermentation was also higher when Kombucha was inoculated with a cellulose pellicle. In fact, addition of 1% (v/v) alcoholic beverage in the Kombucha fermentation activated the cellulose production, coupled with four times higher acid production.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2003

Kombucha fermentation broth has been used as a popular health beverage and an alternative therapy with prophylactic and therapeutic benefit. We tried to establish optimal culture conditions for Kombucha fermentation in milk and to investigate cytotoxicity and antioxidative enzyme activity of Kombucha broth against normal human fibroblasts. The optimal conditions of Kombuch culture were established to 3$0^{\circ}C$, 20∼23 hours by DPPH radical scavenging test. There were positive effects on cell growth while no cytotoxicity against primary normal human diploid fibroblasts was found. The activites of glutathione peroxide and catalase in the cells treated by hydrogen peroxide (1 mM) alone and by hydrogen peroxide with Kombucha broth (1 mg/mι) were significantly different (p＜0.05). These results suggest that Kombucha broth could be developed as an antioxidant agent for a new cosmetic material.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.673-680
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• 2024

Kombucha, a fermented beverage, is gaining popularity due to its numerous beneficial health effects. Various substrates such as herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables, have been used for kombucha fermentation in order to enhance the flavor, aroma, and nutritional composition. This study aims to investigate the potential suitability of cascara as a novel ingredient for kombucha production. Our findings suggested that cascara is a suitable substrate for kombucha production. Fermentation elevated the total phenolic and flavonoid content in cascara, which enhanced the antioxidant, antibacterial, and prebiotic characteristics of the product. Furthermore, the accumulation of acetic acid-induced the pH lowering reached 2.7 after 14 days of fermentation, which achieved the microbiological safety of the product. Moreover, 14 days of fermentation resulted in a balanced amalgamation of acidity, sweetness, and fragrance according to sensory evaluation. Our findings not only highlight the potential of cascara kombucha as a novel substrate for kombucha production but also contribute to repurposing coffee by-products, promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural development.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2000

Kombucha beverages were made from sweetened tea by Oriental, European and Tibetan tea fungus starters. The hot water extracts o green tea, black tea, Gugija and Omija were mixed with white and/or brown sugar, and were fermented under a static culture at 3$0^{\circ}C$. Titrable acidity, pH, color and cellulose production in kombucha beverages were evaluated. All tea fungus starters showed a higher acid production in green/black tea extracts rather than Gugija and Omija extracts. In green/black tea extracts Oriental tea fungus produced a kombucha beverage with a higher titrable acidity and lower pH than those of European and Tibetan tea fungus starters. By the static fermentation of green/black tea extract for 18 days, Oriental, Tibetan and European tea fungus starters produced cellulose pellicles of 0.43g, 0.16g, and 0.19 g (dry weight) on the top in the culture, respectively. As a mother starter, the cellulose pellicle was more efficient in acid production compared with tea fungus broth. Oriental/Tibetan mixed tea fungus showed the best acid production in the green/black tea extract supplemented with brown sugar.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.442-448
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• 2023

This study aimed to prepare kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, containing Dendropanax morbiferus (DM) leaves and roots, and analyze its antioxidant and intracellular activities. We compared the pH change, total acidity, radical scavenging activity, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of kombucha fermented with black tea alone and that with added DM leaves or roots during fermentation. Using RAW 264.7, we evaluated the effects of kombucha containing different DM parts on nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammation-related cytokine content in cells. Kombucha containing ethanol extracts of DM leaves (BTK-E-DML) and roots (BTK-E-DMR) showed higher radical scavenging activity and ORAC 3 d after fermentation than that prepared from black tea alone (BTK-Ori). In an in vitro experiment using RAW 264.7, samples were treated with 8 mg/mL kombucha considering cytotoxicity; the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO content significantly reduced after BTK-E-DML and BTK-EDMR treatments compared with that after BTK-Ori treatment. Additionally, the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which were LPS-stimulated inflammatory cytokines, significantly decreased in cells treated with BTK-E-DML and BTK-E-DMR 15 d after fermentation compared with those treated with BTK-Ori. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that kombucha fermented with the leaves and roots of DM increases antioxidant activity and can significantly regulate inflammatory responses at the cellular level.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.455-461
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• 2022

In this study, kombucha was prepared using saccharified rice solution to assess this possible means of increasing rice consumption. Chucheong rice yielded the highest starch content (80.40±1.33%) when used to produce saccharified rice solution. The resultant saccharified rice solution showed the highest 10.42 °Brix at 90 min of saccharification. Chamdream rice yielded the highest acidity at 0.38%, and Kawaji No.1 yielded the lowest at 0.24%. Organic acid analysis on the 15th day of fermenting kombucha made with different rice varieties indicated an acetic acid content of 111.70±1.09 ppm in Chamdream, and 46.86±1.00 ppm in Dongjinchal. Comparison of enzymes used in saccharified rice kombucha fermentation revealed that α-amylase resulted in the highest acidity (1.06%), and β-amylase yielded the lowest acidity (0.58%). Kombucha with green tea yielded the highest acidity (1.09%), and kombucha with rooibos tea yielded the lowest (0.37%). Polyphenol analysis indicated that the amount of polyphenol increased the most (1,623.75 ppm to 3,989.00 ppm) on day 0 of fermentation with green tea. Organic acid analysis revealed that the acetic acid content of kombucha supplemented with green tea increased from 172.89 ppm on day 0 of fermentation to 2,649.11 ppm on day 15. Kombucha with 2.0% added alcohol had the highest acidity (1.32%), and kombucha with 0.5% alcohol had the lowest (0.97%). Taken together, these results confirm that it is possible to make kombucha using saccharified rice solutions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1422-1429
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• 2016

Kombucha is a slightly sour beverage fermented by symbiotic micro-organisms, including bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we examined the biological activities of citrus Kombucha (CK) produced by addition of citrus extract to original Kombucha (K). After fermentation for 10 days, radical scavenging activity examined by ABTS and DPPH assays increased by approximately 20% compared to that of K. Moreover, content of total phenolic compounds significantly increased by 60% compared to that of K. Cell proliferation assays utilizing MTT showed that CK treatment significantly inhibited growth of bladder cancer cells, T-24 and 5637, in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 4 and 7 mg/mL, respectively. Annexin V staining showed that CK treatment led to apoptosis of cells in a dose-dependent manner. T-24 cells were more sensitive to CK treatment than 5637 cells, as 8 mg/mL of CK resulted in 97% apoptosis of T-24 cells. Western blotting showed that CK treatment led to up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, including caspases-3, -8, -9, and PARP, in bladder cells not in K-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CK may be developed as a functional beverage.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.321-333
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• 2023

The study investigated the pH, acidity, soluble solids, total sugar, polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and color of kombucha with a variety of added fruit peels during the fermentation process. Pear, grape, plum, orange, apple, and golden kiwi peels were added during fermentation. The pH showed a decrease, while an increase in acidity was observed. An increase in soluble solids, which was higher in most experimental groups than the control group, was also observed. A decrease in total sugar was observed over time. However, an increase was observed in reducing sugar. On Day 0, higher total sugar and reducing sugar were detected in the peel addition group compared with the control group. The antioxidant capacity of polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanins, and DPPH radicals scavenging increased with fermentation and was higher in all addition groups, except for pear, compared with the control group. Except for grapes and plums containing high levels of anthocyanins, an increase in the L-value was observed over time, and an increase in the a-value of grapes and plums was also observed (p<0.05). The possible utilization of inedible fruit peel in kombucha was shown. Applying inedible fruit peels to kombucha is proposed to increase antioxidant content and modulate color and pH.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.896-902
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated citrus Kombucha (CK) produced by three different bacteria strains (Gluconacetobacter xylinus, Gluconacetobacter medellinensis, and Gluconobacter oxydans; named as CK-MOX) identified from traditional Kombucha. During fermentation, the pH level of CK-MOX was gradually reduced, and total acidity slightly increased. Antioxidant activity, measured by DPPH, ABTS, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assays, markedly increased after fermentation. Moreover, fermented CK-MOX (Day15) exhibited anti-proliferative and anti-migratory activities against EJ human bladder carcinoma cells. Western immunoblot assays showed that treatment with CK-MOX significantly up-regulated phospho-extracellular signaling kinase (ERK) levels. To distinguish whether or not up-regulation of phospho-ERK is the cause or effect, we investigated the viability of EJ cells in the presence of U0126, a mitogen activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1/2 inhibitor. Pre-treatment with U0126 rescued cells from CK-MOX-induced cell death, which indicates phospho-ERK may be a key regulator in the mechanism of CK-MOX-induced apoptosis of EJ bladder cancer cells. In conclusion, CK-MOX, fermented by a defined composition of bacterial starters, shows antioxidant capacity and anti-cancer activity against EJ bladder cancer cells.