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Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes extracted from the fruit, juice, and stems of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus).
Bromelain is an enzyme extract derived from the stems of pineapples, although it exists in all parts of the fresh plant and fruit.
The extract has a history of folk medicine use.
CAS: 37189-34-7
MF: n.a.
MW: 0
EINECS: 253-387-5
Synonyms:Einecs 253-387-5;BroMelain froM pineapple steM Min. 0.4 DMC-U/Mg powder;Pineapple stem bromelain;Bromelain POS;BROMELAIN FROM PINEAPPLE STEM 2 U/MG;Bromelain from pineapple stem;Bromelain pineapple stem;Bromelain, stem
As a culinary ingredient, Bromelaine may be used as a meat tenderizer.
The term "Bromelaine" may refer to either of two protease enzymes extracted from the plants of the family Bromeliaceae, or it may refer to a combination of those enzymes along with other compounds produced in an extract.
Although tested in a variety of folk medicine and research models for its possible efficacy against diseases, the only approved clinical application for Bromelaine was issued in 2012 by the European Medicines Agency for a topical medication, called Nexobrid, used to remove dead tissue in severe skin burns.
There is no other established application for Bromelaine as a nutraceutical or drug.
Bromelaine is a major sulfhydryl proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple plants (Ananas comosus (L.) Merryl).
Bromelaine is usually found in the fruit and stem, but it is also easy to find in small amounts in the leaf, skin, core, etc.
Bromelaine from pineapple stem is known as stem bromelain (SBM).
Bromelaine has a unique content compared with bromelain from fruit (FBM) because SBM contains many mixtures of various types of thiol-endopeptidases.
Based on the research of Heinecke and Gortner, Bromelaine concentrations are better than FBM. Bromelaine has been reported to have medical efficacy.
Bromelaine has been used traditionally to relieve tense muscles, inflammation, and connective tissue.
In recent years, Bromelaine has been used as an anti-inflammatory, antiedematous, and antithrombotic agent (preventing blood clotting).
In addition, Bromelaine showed activity in preventing lung metastases and potentially as an anticancer agent.
Bromelaine is a group of proteolytic enzymes found in the fruit and stem of pineapple plants.
Bromelaine is used in a topical drug product approved by the FDA to treat severe burns.
However, Bromelaine's oral consumption to treat sinusitis, postoperative pain after the extraction of wisdom teeth, and osteoarthritis is still being researched.
Bromelaine is a proteolytic enzyme derived from the pineapple plant, specifically from the stem of Ananas comosus.
Bromelaine is classified as a mixture of cysteine proteases and is known for its ability to hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins, making it useful in various applications, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements.
The enzyme exhibits a broad pH stability range, typically functioning optimally in slightly acidic to neutral conditions.
Bromelaine is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties and is often used to aid digestion and reduce swelling.
Additionally, Bromelaine has potential therapeutic applications in wound healing and as an adjunct in certain medical treatments.
The enzyme is generally considered safe for consumption, although individuals with pineapple allergies or those on certain medications should exercise caution.
Bromelaine is a unique identifier that facilitates the tracking and regulation of this substance in scientific and commercial contexts.
History
Pineapples have a long tradition as a medicinal plant among the natives of South and Central America.
The first isolation of Bromelaine was recorded by the Venezuelan chemist Vicente Marcano in 1891 by fermenting the fruit of the pineapple.
In 1892, Russell Henry Chittenden, assisted by Elliott P. Joslin and Frank Sherman Meara, investigated the matter more completely, and called it 'bromelin'.
Later, the term 'bromelain' was introduced and originally applied to any protease from any member of the plant family Bromeliaceae.
Bromelaine Chemical Properties
storage temp.: -20°C
solubility H2O: soluble1.0mg/mL, clear, colorless
form: powder
color: yellow-brown
Water Solubility: H2O: soluble 1.0mg/mL, clear, colorless
Specific Activity: ≥3units/mg protein
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: KERATOLYTIC
SKIN CONDITIONING
Extract components
Bromelaine extract is a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes and several other substances in smaller quantities.
The proteolytic enzymes are sulfhydryl proteases; a free sulfhydryl group of a cysteine amino acid side chain is required for function.
The two main enzymes are:
Stem bromelain – EC 3.4.22.32
Fruit bromelain – EC 3.4.22.33
Bromelaine is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes found naturally in pineapples that helps reduce inflammation, ease digestion, and promote healing.
Key Health Benefits
Reduces Inflammation and Swelling: Bromelaine lowers pain and swelling after surgery, dental work, or sports injuries.
Relieves Osteoarthritis Pain: Bromelaine helps reduce joint stiffness and discomfort.
Clears Sinus Congestion: Bromelaine acts as a mucolytic (mucus thinner) to ease symptoms of chronic sinusitis.
Aids Digestion: Bromelaine breaks down dietary proteins effectively in the stomach.
Supports Wound Healing: Topical creams containing Bromelaine can help remove damaged tissue from skin burns.
Bromelaine is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the stem of the pineapple that breaks down food proteins.
Bromelaine assists digestion.
Bromelaine prevents fouling and the accumulation of toxins in the body.
Bromelaine must absolutely be encapsulated in resistant gastrocapsules in order not to be destroyed as soon as Bromelaine is absorbed by the acidity of the stomach.
Uses
Bromelaine may be used to inhibit the biosysnthesis of proinflammatory prostaglandins.
Bromelaine may be used to reduce clotting efficiency.
Bromelaine, from pineapple stem, has been used to make enzymatic hydrolysates of honeybee-collected pollen.
Meat tenderizing and other uses
Along with papain, Bromelaine is one of the most popular proteases to use for meat tenderizing.
Bromelaine is sold in a powdered form, which is combined with a marinade, or directly sprinkled on the uncooked meat.
Cooked or canned pineapple does not have a tenderizing effect, as the enzymes are heat-labile and denatured in the cooking process.
Some prepared meat products, such as meatballs and commercially available marinades, include pineapple or pineapple-derived ingredients.
Although the quantity of Bromelaine in a typical serving of pineapple fruit is probably fairly minimal, specific extraction can yield sufficient quantities for domestic and industrial processing, including uses in baking, anti-browning of cut fruit, textiles and cosmetics manufacturing.
Potential medical uses
A concentrate of proteolytic enzymes enriched in Bromelaine is approved in Europe for the debridement (removal of dead tissue) of severe burn wounds under the trade name NexoBrid.
Bromelaine has not been scientifically proven to be effective in treating any other diseases.
Bromelaine-containing dietary supplements are marketed with no confirmed efficacy, safety, recommended dosage, long term safety, or adverse interaction with other medications.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Bromelaine is a cysteine endopeptidase with broad specificity for cleavage of proteins.
Bromelaine may be from a stem or piece of fruit.
Product P3169 (pGlu-Phe-Leu-p-nitroanilide) may be used as a chromogenic substrate for the assay of bromelain.
Temperature stability
After an hour at 50 °C (122 °F), 83% of the enzyme remains, while at 40 °C (104 °F), practically 100% remains.
The proteolytic activity of concentrated Bromelaine solutions remains relatively stable for at least 1 week at room temperature, and multiple freeze-thaw cycles or exposure to the digestive enzyme trypsin have little effect on it.
Production
Produced mainly in parts of the world where pineapples are grown, such as Thailand or Malaysia, Bromelaine is extracted from the peel, stem, leaves or waste of the pineapple plant after processing the fruit for juice or other purposes.
The starting material is blended and pressed through a filter to obtain a supernatant liquid containing the soluble Bromelaine enzyme.
Further processing includes purification and concentration of the enzyme.
