Rusyidah Mat Zin Boestami, Azlan Kamari, Eli Rohaeti, Budi Hastuti
A market research survey by Technavio has estimated that the global market size of kombucha is projected to grow by USD 3.56 billion from 2021 to 2026 with a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) value of 19.36% due to its recognition as a ‘functional beverage’ among consumers, leading to a significant growth in the global market. Kombucha can generate a new pellicle Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) that produces a biopolymer of cellulose. The production of cellulose from fermentation of Kombucha SCOBY has received great attention from scientists due to the global goal of developing more sustainable procedures for a greener and bio-based future. The main objective of this preliminary study was to produce kombucha SCOBY cellulose (KSC) from tea and pumpkin peel waste as fermentation substrates. The carbohydrate and protein contents of both tea and pumpkin peel waste were determined by proximate analysis. The physicochemical properties of KSC were studied using two spectroscopic techniques, namely, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). FTIR spectra revealed the existence of functional groups in KSC. Meanwhile, XRD spectra presented the crystallinity of diffraction peak and crystal lattice of KSC. Overall, results from FTIR and XRD analyses suggest that both Kombucha SCOBY cellulose obtained from tea and pumpkin peel fermentation substrates possess similar physicochemical properties of cellulose. In conclusion, the application of tea and pumpkin peel waste as fermentation substrates in the production of kombucha SCOBY cellulose is feasible. © 2024, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. All rights reserved.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak, Tanjong Malim, 35900, Malaysia; Department of Chemical and Food Technology, Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail, Hab Pendidikan Tinggi Pagoh, KM 1, Jalan Panchor, Johor, Muar, 84600, Malaysia; Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia
