Kombucha, originated in China 2000 years ago, is a sour and sweet-tasted drink, prepared traditionally through fermentation of black tea. During the fermentation of kombucha, consisting of mainly acidic compounds, microorganisms, and a tiny amount of alcohol, a biofilm called SCOBY forms. The bacteria in kombucha has been generally identified as Acetobacteraceae. Kombucha is a noteworthy source of B complex vitamins, polyphenols, and organic acids (mainly acetic acid). Nowadays, kombucha is tended to be prepared with some other plant species, which, therefore, lead to variations in its composition. Pre-clinical studies conducted on kombucha revealed that it has desired bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-hypercholestorelomic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc. Only a few clinical studies have been also reported. In the current review, we aimed to overhaul pre-clinical bioactivities reported on kombucha as well as its brief compositional chemistry. The literature data indicate that kombucha has valuable biological effects on human health.
Keywords: ABTS, 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzotiazoline-6-sulfonic acid); ACE, Angiotensin-converting enzyme; AHA, Alpha hydroxy acid; ALP, Alkaline phosphatase; ALT, Alanine aminotransferase; AMPK, Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase; AST, Aspartate aminotransferase; ATCC, American type culture collection; BBB, Blood-brain barrier; Bioactivity; Biofilm; CAT, Catalase; COVID-19, Coronavirus disease of 2019; DNA, Deoxyribonucleic Acid; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; DSL, d-Saccharic acid-1,4-lactone; EGCG, Epigallocatechin gallate; FRAP, Ferric reducing antioxidant power; Fermented drink; GC–MS, Gas chromatography- mass spectrometry; GGT, Gamma glutamyl transferase; GPx, Glutathione peroxidase; GRx, Glutathione reductase; GST, Glutathione S-transferase; HDL, High density lipoprotein; HPLC, High-performance liquid chromatography; HPLC-MS/MS, High-performance liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry; HPLC-UV-ESI-MS, High-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet- electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry; HPLC/ESI–MS, High-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry; HbA1c, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Type A1C; IC50, Half maximal ınhibitory concentration; IL, Interleukin; Kombucha; LC-MS, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry; LDH, Lactate dehydrogenase; LDL, Low-density lipoprotein; LOX, Lipoxygenase; LPS, Lipopolysaccharide; MCD, Methionine/choline-deficient diet; MCDM, Multi-criteria decision-making MDA, Malondialdehyde; MIC, Minimum inhibitory concentration; Microorganism; NAD, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; NAFLD, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NO, Nitric oxide; ORAC, Oxygen radical absorbance capacity; RNS, Reactive nitrogen species; ROS, Reactive oxygen species; SASP, Senescence-associated secretory phenotype; SCOBY, Symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast; SMC, Synthetic microbial community; SOD, Superoxide dismutase; SPF, Sun Protection Factor; TAA, Thioacetamide; TE, Trolox equivalent; TEAC, Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity; TG, Triglyceride; TLC, Thin-layer chromatography; TNF-α, Tumour necrosis factor alpha; UVB, Ultraviolet radiation-B; VLDL, Very low-density lipoprotein; WGJ, Wheatgrass juice; WoS, Web of Science.
© 2022 The Author(s).