Study of heavy metals biosorption by tea fungus in Kombucha drink using Central Composite Design

Additional advances related to the health benefits associated with kombucha consumption

Kombucha is a fermented, acidic beverage that dates back thousands of years as a remedy for various health problems in East Asia. Due to its health benefits, kombucha has gained popularity and attracted the attention of both consumers and researchers. The health benefits of kombucha are predominantly attributed to its bioactive compounds that have antioxidant, antimicrobial, probiotic, and other positive effects owing to fermentation. Many factors such as the type of the substrate used, the symbiotic culture of the bacterial yeast composition, and fermentation conditions influence the extent of these properties. This review focuses on recent developments regarding the bioactive constituents of kombucha and its potential health benefits (antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective effects) as well as its impact on multiple sclerosis, nephrotoxicity, gastric ulceration and gut microbiota. Additionally, the composition of kombucha, alternative uses of its biofilm, and potential toxicity are also discussed. Kombucha is a healthy and safe beverage with multiple health benefits that are primarily related to the presence of bacteria, yeasts, and other bioactive constituents. Moreover, kombucha has been suggested as a potential source of probiotics and eco-friendly materials (kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose) for several industries including food and textile.

Biosorption of bioactive compounds in bacterial nanocellulose: Mechanisms and physical-chemical properties

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biomaterial produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus, with wide applicability in different areas, such as biomedical, pharmaceutical, and food. BC production is usually carried out in a medium containing phenolic compounds (PC), such as teas, however, the purification process leads to the loss of such bioactive. Thus, the innovation of this research consists of the reincorporation of PC after the purification of the BC matrices through the biosorption process. In this context, the effects of the biosorption process in BC were evaluated to maximize the incorporation of phenolic compounds from a ternary mixture of hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), white tea (Camellia sinensis), and grape pomace (Vitis labrusca). The biosorbed membrane (BC-Bio) showed a great concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPC = 64.89 mg L^-1) and high antioxidant capacity through different assays (FRAP: 130.7 mg L^-1, DPPH: 83.4 mg L^-1, ABTS: 158.6 mg L^-1, TBARS: 234.2 mg L^-1). The physical tests also indicated that the biosorbed membrane presented high water absorption capacity, thermal stability, low permeability to water vapor and improved mechanical properties compared to BC-control. These results index that the biosorption of phenolic compounds in BC efficiently increases bioactive content and improves physical membrane characteristics. Also, PC release in a buffered solution suggests that BC-Bio can be used as a polyphenol delivery system. Therefore, BC-Bio is a polymer with wide application in different industrial segments.

SCOBY Cellulose Modified with Apple Powder-Biomaterial with Functional Characteristics

The need for new non-animal and non-petroleum-based materials is strongly emphasized in the sustainable and green economy. Waste materials have proven a valuable resource in this regard. In fact, there have been quite a large number of goods obtained from wastes called "Vegan leather" that have gained the clothing market's attention in recent years. In practice, they are mostly composites of waste materials like cactus, pineapples, or, eventually, apples with polymers like polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride. The article presents the results of work aimed at obtaining a material based entirely on natural, biodegradable raw materials. Bacterial cellulose produced as a byproduct of the fermentation carried out by SCOBY was modified with glycerol and then altered by the entrapment of apple powder. The effect of introducing apple powder into the SCOBY culture media on the mechanical properties of the obtained bacterial cellulose was also evaluated The resulting material acquired new mechanical characteristics that are advantageous in terms of strength. Microscopic observation of the apple powder layer showed that the coverage was uniform. Different amounts of apple powder were used to cover the cellulose surface from 10 to 60%, and it was found that the variant with 40% of this powder was the most favorable in terms of mechanical strength. Also, the application of the created material as a card folder showed that it is durable in use and retains its functional characteristics for at least 1 month. The mechanical properties of modified bacterial cellulose were favorably affected by the entrapment of apple powder on its surface, and as a result, a novel material with functional characteristics was obtained.

Medusomyces gisevii: cultivation, composition, and application

Tea fungus (Medusomyces gisevii) is a natural symbiotic consortium of yeast-like fungi and bacteria. Scientific literature provides a lot of information about the consortium, but it is largely fragmentary. We aimed to review and systematize the information on the research topic. We studied scientific publications, conference proceedings, intellectual property, regulatory documents, and Internet resources on the M. gisevii consortium using Scopus, Web of Science, e.LIBRARY.RU, and Google Academy. The methods applied included registration, grouping, classification, comparative analysis, and generalization. We described the origin and composition of tea fungus, specifying the microorganisms that make up its symbiotic community depending on the place of origin. Then, we reviewed the stages of fermentation and cultivation conditions in various nutrient media and presented the composition of the culture liquid. Finally, we analyzed the antimicrobial effect of M. gisevii on a number of microorganisms and delineated some practical uses of the fungus. The data presented in this article can be used to analyze or develop new methods for the cultivation and application of M. gisevii. We specified some possibilities for using not only the culture liquid but also the fruit body of the fungus in various industries.

Recent advances in Kombucha tea: Microbial consortium, chemical parameters, health implications and biocellulose production

In the present review the latest research studies on Kombucha tea are summarized. Special attention has been paid on microbial population, chemical parameters, biocellulose production, and mainly, on the latest evidences of the biological activities of Kombucha tea. Kombucha tea is a fermented sweetened black or green tea which is obtained from a fermentative process driven by a symbiotic culture of yeast, acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. In the last years, its consumption has increasingly grown due to its multiple and potential benefits on human health. This fact has motivated a significant increase in the number of research studies that are focused on the biological activities of this beverage. In this context, this review gathers the main studies that have analyzed the different properties of Kombucha tea (as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, and probiotic activities). It is highlighted that nowadays few human-based evidences are available to prove the beneficial effect of Kombucha tea on humans' health. In conclusion, further work on Kombucha tea is needed since nowadays few information is available on both clinical studies and the characterization of bioactive compounds and their properties.

Techno-economic feasibility assessment of bacterial cellulose biofilm production during the Kombucha fermentation process

Bacterial cellulose produced during Kombucha fermentation has recently received lots of attention owing to its desirable mechanical and physicochemical properties and is exploited for different food, textiles and environmental applications. However, lack of information on process feasibility often hinders large-scale manufacturing of Kombucha-based cellulose. Therefore, the current study assesses techno-economic feasibility of a 60-ton annual capacity Kombucha-based cellulose production facility using SuperPro designer. Economic feasibility analysis showed an estimation of 13.72 million US$ as total investment and 3.8 million US$ as operating costs with 89% expenses associated with facility dependent and labour costs. The process feasibility is revealed with a payback time of 4.23 years, 23.64% return on investment and 16.48% internal rate of return. Sensitivity analysis presented that increased volume of fermentation units and automating the process can significantly reduce input costs. Such research is necessary to aid policymakers in facilitating the commercialization of Kombucha-based cellulose at field scale.

Kombucha: A review of substrates, regulations, composition, and biological properties

Kombucha has been gaining prominence around the world and becoming popular due to its good health benefits. This beverage is historically obtained by the tea fermentation of Camellia sinensis and by a biofilm of cellulose containing the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The other substrates added to the C. sinensis tea have also been reported to help kombucha production. The type as well as the amount of sugar substrate, which is the origin of SCOBY, in addition to time and temperature of fermentation influence the content of organic acids, vitamins, total phenolics, and alcoholic content of kombucha. The route involved in the metabolite biotransformation identified in kombucha so far and the microorganisms involved in the process need to be further studied. Some nutritional properties and benefits related to the beverage have already been reported. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and antidiabetic and anticarcinogenic effects are some of the beneficial effects attributed to kombucha. Nevertheless, scientific literature needs clinical studies to evaluate these benefits in human beings. The toxic effects associated with the consumption of kombucha are still unclear, but due to the possibility of adverse reactions occurring, its consumption is contraindicated in infants and pregnant women, children under 4-years-old, patients with kidney failure, and patients with HIV. The regulations in place for kombucha address a number of criteria, mainly for the pH and alcohol content, in order to guarantee the quality and safety of the beverage as well as to ensure transparency of information for consumers.

Aluminum dispersed bamboo activated carbon production for effective removal of Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride antibiotics: Optimization and mechanism study

The central composite rotatable design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize aluminum dispersed bamboo activated carbon preparation. The independent variables selected for optimization are activating agent (AlCl₃) concentration (mol/L), activation temperature (°C), and activation time (min.). The independent variable's response change was observed through the percentage adsorption efficiency of Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) antibiotics. The maximum CIP adsorption efficiency was found to be 93.6 ± 0.36% (13.36 mg/g) for the adsorbent prepared at AlCl₃ concentration 2.0 mol/L, activation temperature 900 °C, and activation time 120 min. The adsorption efficiency was recorded at the natural pH (7.9) of the adsorbent (3 g/L)-adsorbate (50 mL solution of 50 ppm) mixture. The Al-dispersed bamboo activated carbon was characterized for its surface morphology, surface elemental compositions, molecular crystallinity, surface area, pore morphology, and surface functional groups. The mechanism of adsorbent surface formation and CIP adsorption sites were explored. The characterization data and mechanism study will help in deciding possible future applications in other fields of study.

Assessment of resistance and biosorption ability of Lactobacillus paracasei to remove lead and cadmium from aqueous solution

Since heavy metals have been regarded as ubiquitous environmental pollutants, the exploitation of bacterial biosorption has been suggested as an applicable method for being employed for heavy metal depletion. The present study aimed to characterize the function of Lactobacillus paracasei in the presence of Pb (II) and Cd (II). The simultaneous effect of pH, initial metal concentration, and inoculum size demonstrated the Pb (II) removal of 85.77% at the lowest pH, while the inoculum size was enhanced to 45 CFU/100 ml. The maximum Cd (II) removal was obtained at a high level of pH and inoculum size, while the metal concentration was reduced to 30 ppb. The addition of Cd (II) concentration in access led to the 10% drop in Cd (II) removal efficiency attributed to the metal toxicity and pH. Additionally, the slight variation in the amount of inoculum size caused the decreasing trend in the Cd (II) removal. According to the obtained results, the benefit of L. paracasei in the biosorption of heavy metals was well-recognized, which could be suggested as an alternative candidate. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Strain of Lactobacillus paracasei as potential probiotics was tested for biosorption. A successful response surface method was proposed. L. paracasei showed a good efficiency for the lead and cadmium biosorption. Biosorption process was effective in removing low metal level from drinking water. The maximum biosorption was found to be 85.77% for Pb (II) obtained from the experiment.

Shedding Light on the Formation and Structure of Kombucha Biofilm Using Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy

Kombucha pellicles are often used as inoculum to produce this beverage and have become a signature feature. This cellulosic biofilm produced by acetic acid bacteria (AAB) involves yeasts, which are also part of the kombucha consortia. The role of microbial interactions in the de novo formation and structure of kombucha pellicles was investigated during the 3 days following inoculation, using two-photon microscopy coupled with fluorescent staining. Aggregated yeast cells appear to serve as scaffolding to which bacterial cellulose accumulates. This initial foundation leads to a layered structure characterized by a top cellulose-rich layer and a biomass-rich sublayer. This sublayer is expected to be the microbiologically active site for cellulose production and spatial optimization of yeast–AAB metabolic interactions. The pellicles then grow in thickness while expanding their layered organization. A comparison with pellicles grown from pure AAB cultures shows differences in consistency and structure that highlight the impact of yeasts on the structure and properties of kombucha pellicles.

Recent Progress in Chemical Composition, Production, and Pharmaceutical Effects of Kombucha Beverage: A Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Kombucha is a valuable traditional natural tea that contains beneficial compounds like organic acids, minerals, different vitamins, proteins, polyphenols, and several anions. Kombucha possesses anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activity as well as hepatoprotective effects. Considering the unique properties of Kombucha, several investigations have already been conducted on its nutritional properties. In this review, an effort has been devoted to pool recent literature on the biomedical application of Kombucha under the objectives, including the chemical composition of Kombucha and industrial production, and highlight different properties of Kombucha. Finally, we explain its adverse effects and prospect. This review is an active, in-depth, and inclusive report about Kombucha and its health benefits.