Effects of Fermentation Time and Type of Tea on the Content of Micronutrients in Kombucha Fermented Tea

The fermented tea beverage Kombucha is obtained through a series of biochemical and enzymatic reactions carried out by symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). It contains organic acids, vitamins, amino acids, and biologically active compounds, notably polyphenols, derived mainly from tea. Kombucha exhibits a range of health-promoting properties, including antioxidant or detoxifying effects. This fermented beverage is traditionally brewed with black tea, but other types of tea are used increasingly, which may have significant implications in terms of chemical composition and health-promoting effects. In this preliminary study, we investigated the content of micronutrients (manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn)) by the ICP-OES method in Kombucha prepared with black, red, green and white tea at different time points of fermentation (1, 7, 14 days). It should be noted that the composition of separate ingredients such as tea, leaven or sugar has not been studied. Kombucha had the highest content of zinc-0.36 mg/L to 2.08 mg/L, which accounts for between 3% and 26% of the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for adults, and the smallest amounts of chromium (0.03 mg/L to 0.09 mg/L), which however represents as much as between 75% and 232% of the RDA. It has been demonstrated that the type of tea as well as the day of fermentation have a significant effect on the concentrations of selected minerals. Kombucha can therefore supplement micronutrients in the human diet.

Automated summary

Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, contains various organic acids, vitamins, and amino acids. The type of tea and fermentation time significantly influence the micronutrient content in Kombucha, which can serve as a dietary supplement.