Use of Agave (Agave salmiana) syrup in kombucha fermentation

OpenAlex İngilizce

In this study, the potential of using different concentrations of agave syrup (AS) as a substrate in kombucha fermentation was investigated. After adding AS at concentrations of 3% (AS3), 5% (AS5), and 7% (AS7) to kombucha, some physicochemical, antioxidant, and microbiological analyses were conducted, alongside the determination of total phenolic content. The lowest pH value was measured as 3.13±0.13 and 2.91±0.15 in AS7 kombucha after fermentation for 7th and 14th days, respectively. The highest total soluble solids content was determined as 7.81±0.28 °Bx in AS7 kombucha on our 48th. The highest DPPH activity was observed in AS7 after 14 days (71±1.02%), metal chelating activity was highest in AS7 kombucha on day 14th (71.5%), and the total phenolic content was found to be 412±0.81 mg GAE/L and 438±0.89 mg GAE/L in AS7 on days 7th and 14th, respectively. The highest levels of acetic acid, lactic acid, and yeast counts were detected in AS7 on days 7th and 14th. The results showed that agave syrup may be an alternative sugar source to sucrose for kombucha, and polyphenols from agave may contribute to antioxidant capacity. Particularly, consumption between 7th and 14th days is recommended due to the highest functional properties observed during this period.