Physicochemical properties of kombucha with fruit peels during fermentation

Abstract

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.