Bromelain Enzyme considered a proteolytic enzyme is a class of enzymes known to aid in the digestion of protein. Also known as Ananase or Pineapple. Bromelain Enzyme can be found in the Pineapple juice of the stem of the pineapple plant.
Bromelain enzymes extract is a mixture of protein-digesting proteolytic enzymes mixed with several other substances in rather small quantities. These proteolytic enzymes are sulfhydryl proteases that can be defined as a free sulfhydryl group of a cysteine amino acid side chain is required for it to function.
Bromelain Enzyme in Medical Use
Promoted as a dietary supplement, bromelain enzymes helps in reducing pain and swelling of noses and sinuses, gums, and other body parts, usually after surgeries or minor injuries. Bromelain enzyme is also promoted for osteoarthritis, cancer, digestive problems, and muscle soreness. Topical bromelain enzymes also helps in treating oral ailments and burns up to third-degree burns.
Bromelain Enzymes in Food Industry
This thiol protease directly interacts with myofibrillar proteins, hydrolyzes fibrin and connective tissue, breaks down protein into smaller peptides and amino acids, breaks down muscle fibres and tendons and makes meat tender and smooth. Bromelain enzyme is also used to break down collagen and to produce gelatin which thickens and emulsify’s food. It also increases the content of food which can easily be digested and absorbed with a therapeutic effect.
Other Bromelain Enzyme Applications
| Industries | Applications of Bromelaine Enzymes |
| Meat processing | Bromelain enzymes breaks down myofibrillar proteins and collagen and causes over-tenderization of meat. |
| Brewing Industries | Clarification of beer. |
| Baking Industries | Bromelain enzyme improves dough relaxation, allowing it to rise evenly and produce hypoallergenic flour that is suitable for wheat-allergic patients. |
| Personal Care | active ingredient in tooth-whitening dentifrices. |
| Textile Industries | Bromelain enzymes is incorporated in leather processing and it is also used for improving the dyeing qualities of protein fibers, decomposing or partially solubilizing protein fiber from silk and wool. |
| Cosmetic Industries | Skin products to treat acne, wrinkles, and dry skin, reduce post-injection bruising and swelling. It is used as an active ingredient to provide mild peeling effects and as a cleansing agent. |