Identification of Key Parameters Inducing Microbial Modulation during Backslopped Kombucha Fermentation.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of production parameters on the reproducibility of kombucha fermentation over several production cycles based on backslopping. Six conditions with varying oxygen accessibility (specific interface surface) and initial acidity (through the inoculation rate) of the cultures were carried out and compared to an original kombucha consortium and a synthetic consortium assembled from yeasts and bacteria isolated from the original culture. Output parameters monitored were microbial populations, biofilm weight, key physico-chemical parameters and metabolites. Results highlighted the existence of phases in microbial dynamics as backslopping cycles progressed. The transitions between phases occurred faster for the synthetic consortium compared to the original kombucha. This led to microbial dynamics and fermentative kinetics that were reproducible over several cycles but that could also deviate and shift abruptly to different behaviors. These changes were mainly induced by an increase in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae population, associated with an intensification of sucrose hydrolysis, sugar consumption and an increase in ethanol content, without any significant acceleration in the rate of acidification. The study suggests that the reproducibility of kombucha fermentations relies on high biodiversity to slow down the modulations of microbial dynamics induced by the sustained rhythm of backslopping cycles.

Oxygen management during kombucha production: Roles of the matrix, microbial activity, and process parameters.

Oxygen plays a key role in kombucha production, since the production of main organic acids, acetic and gluconic acids, is performed through acetic acid bacteria's oxidative metabolism. Oxygen consumption during traditional kombucha production was investigated by comparing kombucha to mono and cocultures in sugared tea of microorganisms isolated from kombucha. Two yeasts, Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Hanseniaspora valbyensis and one acetic acid bacterium Acetobacter indonesiensis were used. Results showed that tea compounds alone were mainly responsible for oxygen depletion during the first 24 h following inoculation. During the first 7 days phase of production in open vessel, the liquid surface was therefore the only access to oxygen for microorganisms, as anaerobic conditions were sustained below this area. During the 5 days second phase of production after bottling, comparison of cultures with different microbial compositions showed that oxygen was efficiently depleted in the head space of the bottles in 3-6 h if the acetic acid bacterium was present. Lower access to oxygen after bottling stimulated ethanol production in B. bruxellensis and H. valbyensis cocultures with or without A. indonesiensis. This study provides insights into the management of oxygen and the roles of the tea and the biofilm during kombucha production.

Use of a Minimal Microbial Consortium to Determine the Origin of Kombucha Flavor.

Microbiological, chemical, and sensory analyses were coupled to understand the origins of kombucha organoleptic compounds and their implication in the flavor of the kombucha beverage. By isolating microorganisms from an original kombucha and comparing it to monocultures and cocultures of two yeasts (Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Hanseniaspora valbyensis) and an acetic acid bacterium (Acetobacter indonesiensis), interaction effects were investigated during the two phases of production. 32 volatile compounds identified and quantified by Headspace-Solid Phase-MicroExtraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) were classified according to their origin from tea or microorganisms. Many esters were associated to H. valbyensis, while alcohols were associated to both yeasts, acetic acid to A. indonesiensis, and saturated fatty acids to all microorganisms. Concentration of metabolites were dependent on microbial activity, yeast composition, and phase of production. Sensory analysis showed that tea type influenced the olfactive perception, although microbial composition remained the strongest factor. Association of B. bruxellensis and A. indonesiensis induced characteristic apple juice aroma.

Microbial Interactions in Kombucha through the Lens of Metabolomics.

Kombucha is a fermented beverage obtained through the activity of a complex microbial community of yeasts and bacteria. Exo-metabolomes of kombucha microorganisms were analyzed using FT-ICR-MS to investigate their interactions. A simplified set of microorganisms including two yeasts (Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Hanseniaspora valbyensis) and one acetic acid bacterium (Acetobacter indonesiensis) was used to investigate yeast-yeast and yeast-acetic acid bacterium interactions. A yeast-yeast interaction was characterized by the release and consumption of fatty acids and peptides, possibly in relationship to commensalism. A yeast-acetic acid bacterium interaction was different depending on yeast species. With B. bruxellensis, fatty acids and peptides were mainly produced along with consumption of sucrose, fatty acids and polysaccharides. In opposition, the presence of H. valbyensis induced mainly the decrease of polyphenols, peptides, fatty acids, phenolic acids and putative isopropyl malate and phenylpyruvate and few formulae have been produced. With all three microorganisms, the formulae involved with the yeast-yeast interactions were consumed or not produced in the presence of A. indonesiensis. The impact of the yeasts' presence on A. indonesiensis was consistent regardless of the yeast species with a commensal consumption of compounds associated to the acetic acid bacterium by yeasts. In detail, hydroxystearate from yeasts and dehydroquinate from A. indonesiensis were potentially consumed in all cases of yeast(s)-acetic acid bacterium pairing, highlighting mutualistic behavior.

Evolution in Composition of Kombucha Consortia over Three Consecutive Years in Production Context.

Kombucha is a traditional drink obtained from sugared tea that is transformed by a community of yeasts and bacteria. Its production has become industrialized, and the study of the microbial community's evolution is needed to improve control over the process. This study followed the microbial composition of black and green kombucha tea over three consecutive years in a production facility using a culture-dependent method. Microorganisms were isolated and cultivated using selective agar media. The DNA of isolates was extracted, amplified using 26S and 16S PCR, and sequenced. Identities were obtained after a comparison to the NCBI database. Dekkera/Brettanomyces bruxellensis, Hanseniaspora valbyensis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were the major yeast species, and the major bacterial genera were Acetobacter and Liquorilactobacillus. Results highlight the persistence of yeast species such as B. bruxellensis detected in 2019. Some yeasts species appeared to be sensitive towards stressful events, such as a hot period in 2019. However, they were resilient and isolated again in 2021, as was the case for H. valbyensis. Dominance of B. bruxellensis was clear in green and black tea kombucha, but proportions in yeasts varied depending on tea type and phase (liquid or biofilm). Composition in acetic acid and lactic acid bacteria showed a higher variability than yeasts with many changes in species over time.

Non-Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of the Kombucha Production Process.

Kombucha is a traditional fermented beverage obtained from the transformation of sugared black tea by a community of yeasts and bacteria. Kombucha production recently became industrialized, but its quality standards remain poorly defined. Metabolomic analyses were applied using FT-ICR-MS to characterize the impacts of production phases and the type of tea on the non-volatile chemical composition of kombucha. Independently from tea type, the first phase of acidification in open vessel was characterized by the release of gluconate and gallate from acetic acid bacteria metabolism and probably from polymeric polyphenols, respectively. The second phase of carbonation in closed vessel induced a consumption or transformation of oleic acid that could be consecutive of oxygen limitation. The first phase had the most impact on molecular diversity, but tea type mainly influenced the global composition in polyphenol profile. Black tea polyphenols were more impacted by microbial activity compared to green tea polyphenols.

Shedding Light on the Formation and Structure of Kombucha Biofilm Using Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy.

Kombucha pellicles are often used as inoculum to produce this beverage and have become a signature feature. This cellulosic biofilm produced by acetic acid bacteria (AAB) involves yeasts, which are also part of the kombucha consortia. The role of microbial interactions in the de novo formation and structure of kombucha pellicles was investigated during the 3 days following inoculation, using two-photon microscopy coupled with fluorescent staining. Aggregated yeast cells appear to serve as scaffolding to which bacterial cellulose accumulates. This initial foundation leads to a layered structure characterized by a top cellulose-rich layer and a biomass-rich sublayer. This sublayer is expected to be the microbiologically active site for cellulose production and spatial optimization of yeast-AAB metabolic interactions. The pellicles then grow in thickness while expanding their layered organization. A comparison with pellicles grown from pure AAB cultures shows differences in consistency and structure that highlight the impact of yeasts on the structure and properties of kombucha pellicles.

Microbiological and technological parameters impacting the chemical composition and sensory quality of kombucha.

Kombucha is a beverage made from sugared tea transformed by yeasts and acetic acid bacteria. Being originally homemade, it has become an industrially produced soft drink whose quality standards are poorly defined and whose production process is still not fully controlled. Based on current knowledge in beverages, links between kombucha's chemical composition and sensorial compounds are drawn. Macromolecules create turbidity, whereas uncharacterized tea pigments derivatives participate in the color. Residual sugars bring sweetness and organic acids produced by acetic acid bacteria form its characteristic sour taste. Acetic acid is also part of its aroma profile, although little data are available on the smell of kombucha. Carbon dioxide, potentially polyphenols, and residual ethanol are involved in the mouthfeel. In this review, after defining the key compounds that shape the characteristic sensory properties of kombucha, the impact of different production parameters is discussed. Water composition is determinant in the extraction of tea compounds along with the tea type and infusion duration and temperature. The type and amount of sweeteners play a role in the sweetness and influences the production kinetics. Similarly, the amount of inoculum and its microbial composition have an effect on the production, but the role of the vessels' geometry and temperature are also essential parameters that can be used to adjust the acidification phase's duration. Despite the amount of research carried out, further investigations of kombucha's sensory characteristics are needed. Such research could lead to a better definition of kombucha's quality and to an improved control over its production process.

Microbial Dynamics between Yeasts and Acetic Acid Bacteria in Kombucha: Impacts on the Chemical Composition of the Beverage.

Kombucha is a traditional low-alcoholic beverage made from sugared tea and transformed by a complex microbial consortium including yeasts and acetic acid bacteria (AAB). To study the microbial interactions and their impact on the chemical composition of the beverage, an experimental design with nine couples associating one yeast strain and one AAB strain isolated from original black tea kombucha was set up. Three yeast strains belonging to the genera Brettanomyces, Hanseniaspora, and Saccharomyces and three strains of Acetobacter and Komagataeibacter species were chosen. Monocultures in sugared tea were analyzed to determine their individual microbial behaviors. Then, cultivation of the original kombucha consortium and cocultures in sugared tea were compared to determine the interactive microbial effects during successive phases in open and closed incubation conditions. The results highlight the main impact of yeast metabolism on the product's chemical composition and the secondary impact of bacterial species on the composition in organic acids. The uncovered microbial interactions can be explained by different strategies for the utilization of sucrose. Yeasts and AAB unable to perform efficient sucrose hydrolysis rely on yeasts with high invertase activity to access released monosaccharides. Moreover, the presence of AAB rerouted the metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae towards higher invertase and fermentative activities.

A recombinant live attenuated tetravalent vaccine for the prevention of dengue.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue is an important and still growing public health problem associated with substantial morbidity, as well as significant social and economic impact. The present review describes the main features and development of the first dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV, Dengvaxia®), which has been licensed by several dengue-endemic countries in Asia and Latin America for use in populations above 9 years of age. Areas covered: The review focuses on the large clinical development of CYD-TDV, which includes in particular two pivotal phase III efficacy trials conducted in Asia and Latin America and supported vaccine licensure. Based on these clinical data, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization recommended considering introduction of the vaccine in geographic settings (national or subnational) with high burden of disease. Long-term safety follow-up studies of the efficacy trials are currently ongoing, and post-licensure studies will evaluate the vaccine effectiveness and safety in 'real-life' following vaccine introduction. Expert commentary: During vaccine development, a number of complexities were tackled, innovation pursued, and risk managed. These aspects, as well as the potential impact of CYD-TDV on public health are also discussed.

Aluminium assay and evaluation of the local reaction at several time points after intramuscular administration of aluminium containing vaccines in the Cynomolgus monkey.

Aluminium hydroxide and aluminium phosphate have been widely used as vaccine adjuvants with a good safety record for several decades. The recent observation in human deltoid muscle of macrophage aggregates containing aluminium hydroxide spicules and termed Macrophagic Myofasciitis (MMF) has encouraged research on aluminium salts. This study was conducted in order to further investigate the clearance of aluminium at the vaccine injection site and the features of induced histopathological lesions. Two groups of 12 monkeys were immunised in the quadriceps muscle with Diphtheria-Tetanus vaccines, which were adjuvanted with either aluminium hydroxide or aluminium phosphate. Three, six or twelve months after vaccination, four monkeys from each group were sacrificed and histopathological examination and aluminium assays were performed on quadriceps muscle sections. Histopathological lesions, similar to the MMF described in humans, were observed and were still present 3 months after aluminium phosphate and 12 months after aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccine administration. An increase in aluminium concentration, more marked in the area of the lesions, was also observed at the 3- and 6-month time points. These findings were localised at the injection site and no similar changes were observed in the distal or proximal muscle fragments. We conclude from this study that aluminium adjuvanted vaccines administered by the intramuscular route trigger histopathological changes restricted to the area around the injection site which persist for several months but are not associated with abnormal clinical signs.

Lack of induction of autoantibody responses following immunization with cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) in healthy CMV-seronegative subjects.

Possible correlations have been proposed between autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and infection with human cytomegalovirus (CMV). The recent observation that an adenovirus expressing the immunodominant envelope glycoprotein of CMV, glycoprotein B (gB), may be capable of inducing autoantibodies in certain mouse strains has prompted interest in exploring potential relationships between gB immunization and autoimmune disease. We examined whether a recombinant CMV gB vaccine, or a gB canarypox vectored vaccine (ALVAC-CMVgB), administered to a total of 76 CMV-seronegative subjects, was capable of inducing cross-reactive antibodies to Smith antigen (Sm), ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP), and the U1-70 kDa component of the RNP complex. Using immunofluorescence, EIA and immunoblot analyses, we failed to identify induction of autoantibodies following vaccination with gB, whether administered alone as a purified protein subunit with adjuvant, or in combination with expression in a vectored approach using a recombinant canarypox. These data reinforce the favorable safety profile of CMV gB vaccines.

Aluminum hydroxide adjuvant induces macrophage differentiation towards a specialized antigen-presenting cell type.

Aluminum hydroxide (AlOOH) has been used for many years as a vaccine adjuvant, but little is known about its mechanism of action. We investigated in this study the in vitro effect of aluminum hydroxide adjuvant on isolated macrophages. We showed that AlOOH-stimulated macrophages contain large and persistent intracellular crystalline inclusions, a characteristic property of muscle infiltrated macrophages described in animal models of vaccine injection, as well as in the recently described macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) histological reaction in humans. AlOOH-loaded macrophages exhibited phenotypical and functional modifications, as they expressed the classical markers of myeloid dendritic cells (HLA-DR(high)/CD86(high)/CD83(+)/CD1a(-)/CD14(-)) and displayed potent ability to induce MHC-II-restricted antigen specific memory responses, but kept a macrophage morphology. This suggests a key role of macrophages, in the reaction to AlOOH-adjuvanted vaccines and these mature antigen-presenting macrophages may therefore be of particular importance in the establishment of memory responses and in vaccination mechanisms leading to long-lasting protection.

Reproductive toxicity testing of vaccines.

Vaccines play a major role in the prevention of human birth defects by protecting the pregnant woman from teratogenic or otherwise harmful infections. Until now, it has not been common practice to perform preclinical developmental toxicity tests for new vaccines. Despite the excellent safety record of vaccines, increased attention is now being given to the feasibility of screening new vaccines for developmental hazards in animals before their use in humans. Contrary to previous assumptions, many vaccines are now given to potentially pregnant women. Any new components of the vaccine formulation (adjuvants, excipients, stabilisers, preservatives, etc.) could also be tested for influences on development, although based on past experience the risks are limited by the very low dosages used. The conferred immunity following vaccination lasts for several years. Therefore, the developing conceptus may theoretically be exposed to the induced antibodies and/or sensitised T-cells, even if the pregnant woman was last vaccinated during childhood (particularly if she encounters the antigen during pregnancy through exposure to infection). However, it should be kept in mind that viral or bacterial infections represent a higher risk for a pregnant woman than the potential adverse effects related to vaccination or the associated immune response. Non-clinical safety studies may be employed as an aid for hazard identification. In these studies interactions of the vaccine with the maternal immune system or with the developmental systems of the offspring are considered. Post-natal examinations are necessary to detect all possible manifestations of developmental toxicity, such as effects on the immune system. Species selection for the preclinical studies is based on immunogenicity to the vaccine and the relative timing and rate of transfer of maternal antibodies to the offspring. A single study design is proposed for the pre- and post-natal developmental assessments of vaccines in rodents and rabbits.

Non-clinical vaccine safety assessment.

As vaccines are undoubtedly classified as pharmaceuticals, they have to be submitted to strict non-clinical safety evaluation. The context of their prophylactic use requires that every effort is made to ensure their safe use. Their safety evaluation is complex as they act through a multistage mechanism in which the vaccine by itself acts as a pro-drug, antibodies and activated lymphocytes being the actual effectors. Therefore, several potential toxicities must be considered: direct toxicity of the test article, toxicity linked to the pharmacodynamic activity of the vaccine, activation of pre-existing disorders, toxicity of contaminants and impurities and other adverse reactions due to interaction between the various components. Guidelines dealing with vaccines include general guidelines applicable to all pharmaceuticals, such as ICH S6, and also more specific documents which allow some flexibility in study design. Among the various studies, if single-dose studies are generally part of the quality control test battery, repeated dose studies are pivotal. The animal model and treatment schedule selection and the parameters investigated are critical for the relevance of this safety assessment. Immunological and safety pharmacology parameters should be adapted to the specific properties of vaccines and added to this type of study. Vaccines intended for pregnant women or women of child-bearing age require embryo-fetal and post-natal studies with an adapted design to obtain appropriate fetal and maternal exposure during gestation with continuation into the post-natal period. Tests exist to detect hypersensitivity or autoimmune reactions, but require further validation. In addition to this tailor-made approach, any adjuvant or active component added to the vaccine formulation necessitate their own assessment using studies routinely performed for new drugs. From this review, vaccine toxicology would appear to be a separate discipline on its own whose predictivity will be increased by new method development.