Abstract
RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Kombucha is a fermented beverage with several health benefits; however, to improve its antioxidant activity, new raw materials such as hop, madimak and hawthorn were included in the present study. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) was performed on the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) to evaluate the antigenotoxic potential of black tea-flavoured kombucha and three other flavours of kombuchas (hop, madimak and hawthorn) against H(2)O(2)- and K(2)Cr(2)O(7)-induced genotoxicity. Furthermore, a lifespan assay was performed to assess the effects of kombuchas on the longevity of the fruit fly. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: According to the results obtained from the SMART assay, hop-flavoured kombucha attenuated genotoxicity induced by H(2)O(2), and madimak-flavoured kombucha reduced genotoxicity induced by H(2)O(2) and K(2)Cr(2)O(7). Black tea- and hop-flavoured kombucha prolonged the lifespan of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) after the treatment with H(2)O(2) and K(2)Cr(2)O(7). NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: Hop-flavoured kombucha is a promising antioxidant that protects the genome and extends the lifespan of the fruit fly. This study sheds light on novel beverages that can combat ageing and protect against genotoxicity.