39] Bromelain enzymes

Abstract

Publisher Summary Bromelain enzymes are found in tissues of the plant family Bromeliaceae of which pineapple, Ananas comosus (L), is the best known. The proteolytic enzyme found in the juice of pineapple stem is called stem bromelain and the enzyme in the fruit was first described under the name of bromelin 1 and is now called fruit bromelain. Systematic number EC 3.4.22.4 is given to stem bromelain, and EC 3.4.22.5 to fruit bromelain. The purpose of the present chapter is to review the recent information and accumulated data about these two enzymes. The chapter lists the general purification methods, as well as the specific purification method of Murachi, which consists of six stages. It also elaborates on the alternative purification n procedure for the stem enzyme. It lists the physical and chemical properties of the enzymes. The Specificity, Kinetic Properties, and Enzymic Mechanism have also been discussed. The chapter also discusses the Fractionation Procedure of purification for the fruit enzyme and its properties.