This study was carried out to investigate the effects of seed vinegar on antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activities of concentrated blueberry vinegar (CBV). Of the nine strains of yeast and six strains of acetic acid bacteria provided by the Microbial Institute for Fermentation Industry, each strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae SRCM 100610, showing the highest ethanol content) and acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter pasteurianus SRCM 101342, showing the highest total acidity) was selected for production of CBVs. Sugar content, pH, total acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), and browning intensity (280 nm and 420 nm) in CBVs using concentrated blueberry juice were 11.05∼12.70°Brix, 2.63∼2.98, 1.65∼5.72%, 3.03∼4.24 mg/mL, 0.95∼1.50, and 0.11∼0.20, respectively. Sugar content and total acidity of CBVs increased upon addition of seed vinegar, whereas pH, TPC, and browning intensity decreased. Of all CBVs with various additions of seed vinegar, the control showed the lowest EC50 values in DPPH radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay, and reducing power (23.80, 19.48, and 79.21 dilution factor, respectively), whereas the 40% seed vinegar group showed the highest clear zone diameter values for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus (4.31, 4.59, 5.81, and 3.97, respectively). Antioxidant activities of CBVs were closely correlated with their TPC, browning intensity at 280 nm, pH, and total acidity values, showing correlation determination coefficient (R2) values higher 0.82. However, antimicrobial activities of CBVs were closely correlated with their pH and total acidity values, showing higher R2 values more than 0.92. These results suggest that CBVs using concentrated blueberry juice, S. cerevisiae SRCM 100610, and A. pasteurianus SRCM 101342 may be useful as potentially functional foods for enhancing health.

Keywords: concentrated blueberry vinegar, total phenolic content, food-borne pathogens, antioxidant activities, antimicrobial activities