Microorganisms of Zoogloeal Mats Formed in Tea Decoction

Abstract

Sour and zoogloeal mat forming beverages which are favored with fermentation by so called “seed” are able to be seen here and there in Japan, Formosa and other countries. From these curious bevarages of several countries, dominant microorganisms were isolated and identified as followed: The yeasts isolated from Japanese samples were identified as Saccharomyces sp., Torulopsis famata, Pichia membranaefacience and Candida guilliermondii, on the other hand Candida obtusa and Kloeckera apiculata were isolated from the sour beverage of Formosa. Concerning with bacteria in these drinkes, only Acetobacter xylinum was recognized and it formed distinct zoogloeal mat at the surface of tea decoction. Reappearance test concerning with these isolated microorganisms was resulted that same zoogloea and taste was formed if A. xylinum was present. A. xylinum was concluded as the principal organism for this kind of beverage. © 1972, Japanese Society for Food Hygiene and Safety. All rights reserved.