Kombucha Fermentation of Olympus Mountain Tea (<i>Sideritis scardica</i>) Sweetened with Thyme Honey: Physicochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Functional Properties

oleh: Ioannis Geraris Kartelias, Haralabos Christos Karantonis, Efstathios Giaouris, Ioannis Panagiotakopoulos, Constantina Nasopoulou

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-09-01

Deskripsi

This study implemented kombucha fermentation of Olympus Mountain tea (<i>Sideritis scardica</i>) sweetened with honey (OMTWH) in order to investigate the potential for producing a novel beverage with functional properties. The increase in the total count of bacteria and yeast suggests that the OMTWH acts as a viable substrate for supporting the proliferation of the microorganisms of the Kombucha symbiotic culture. The fermentation resulted in a reduction in pH and increased total titratable acidity. After fermentation, a statistically significant increase in the vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B7, and B12 content was observed (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Total phenolics and antioxidant activity of the fermented beverage was significantly enhanced, as assessed by the method of Folin–Ciocalteu and ABTS assay, respectively. Results revealed that OMTWH had a potent inhibitory activity of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase; OMTWH fermented with a kombucha consortium exhibited even higher inhibition. Hence, the process of kombucha fermentation can convert OMTWH into a novel beverage with enhanced functional properties.