Investigation and development of an accurate ethanol content measurement method for kombucha

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Booch Inc. manufactures organic craft kombucha and distributes their product to over 200 retailers acrossOntario. Operating for just over 2 years, Booch Inc. is the largest kombucha brewery in Ontario, second largestin Canada, and recognized as a leader and trendsetter within this growing industry. Kombucha is a naturallycarbonated beverage made by fermenting black or green tea and sugar with a culture of various bacteria andyeasts. Currently, there is no accurate method available on the market to measure alcohol content during thekombucha brewing process. Some brewers have even experienced legal repercussions due to inaccuratereporting of alcohol content in their product. Booch has identified a potential new product, a kombucha ethanolcontent measurement kit, which would consist of a detailed protocol outlining a proven method for measuringethanol content while kombucha is brewing. To explore this potential new product Booch will be collaboratingwith Fanshawe College's Applied Science and Technology School. Working with Principal Investigator, KarenBuchholz, a student research assistant will develop and compare three methods of measuring the ethanolcontent in brewing kombucha. Following development of the measurement methods, the student willinvestigate which method is most effective, and prepare a protocol detailing the selected method. The results ofthis applied research project will assist Booch in expanding their client market to other kombucha brewers. Itwill help Booch and other kombucha brewers in making decisions such as whether or not fermentationconditions can be altered to produce an acceptable product, or if a batch should be abandoned to save time andresources. Additionally, it will ensure safe kombucha products for all ages, and that the beverage is classifiedas non-alcoholic (less than 0.05%).3Form 103 (2011 W), page 3 of 7Second