Abstract:Alterations in the major chemical constituents of pure-strain fermented honey-based kombucha during the fermentation process were extensively evaluated, with the objective of developing a novel kombucha beverage. The dominant acetic acid-producing bacteria were screened using the dilution plate method and 16S rDNA technology. Variations in pH value, carbohydrate content, and volatile components within the honey- and sucrose-based kombucha fermentation broths at specific time points (0, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14 days) were determined using a pH meter, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Sensory evaluations were also performed. A specific strain of Komagataeibacter saccharivorans, identified as 3-3, was selectively isolated and utilized in the study. Over a 14-day period, the pH values of honeyand sucrose-based kombuchas decreased from 5.16 to 2.97 (P<0.05) and from 5.41 to 4.02 (P<0.05), respectively. The glucose content decreased from 21.76 to 4.64 g/L (P<0.05) in honey-based kombucha and increased from 0.83 to 5.08 g/L (P<0.05) in sucrose-based kombucha. Similarly, the fructose content decreased from 20.96 to 1.63 g/L (P<0.05) in honey-based kombucha and increased from 0.27 to 4.45 g/L (P<0.05) in sucrose-based kombucha. The sucrose content decreased from 2.89 to 1.12 g/L (P<0.05) in honey-based kombucha and from 58.03 to 29.04 g/L (P<0.05) in sucrose-based kombucha. Sixty-two major volatile compounds were detected in honey-based kombucha, whereas 49 were identified in sucrose-based kombucha. Sensory evaluation yielded a total score of 25 for pure-strain honey-based kombucha and 20 for pure-strain sucrose-based kombucha, indicating greater sensory acceptance and product quality for the honey-based variant. The pure-strain honey-based kombucha beverage has good sensory acceptance and high product quality, thus providing a foundation for developing new types of kombucha beverages.