Papain Enzyme

Papain enzyme (short for cysteine protease hydrolase enzyme), is derived directly from the papaya fruit (Carica papaya). It is a popular supplement and one of the main functions includes aiding the digestion of protein in our bodies. This enzyme is twice as effective in aiding digestion as compared to the other enzyme that is derived from the papaya fruit called chymopapain. An enzyme is a complex molecule that is present in living organisms. It acts as a catalyst (speeding up the chemical process without altering the results by mixing in it.) and helps to perform chemical reactions within the cell.

The Extraction

1. The papaya fruit is first slit at the neck.
2. The latex that drips is either collected in a container or left to dry on the fruit.
3. The latex that is collected is further allowed to dry into a crude format.
4. This material needs to undergo a purification process to get rid of all the contaminating products present in it.
5. After this, the solubilization and extraction of the enzyme is carried out.

The Benefits

• The main function of the papain enzyme is to aid in digestion and promote effective digestive health. This is done by breaking down all the protein in the body for easy digestion.
• This enzyme has been used as a meat tenderizer for many years. Since it is a proteolytic enzyme that tenderizes meat, it also acts as a clarifying agent in many food industry processes.
• It is used in treatment of stings that are administered by jellyfish, bees, wasps or insects by breaking down the toxin and the venom.
• It boosts the immune system and is seen to be beneficial in food allergies and tumors.
• This enzyme is very effective in dealing with lower back sprains and strains.
• It also helps in treating intestinal worms.
• It helps in keeping the skin glowing and healthy.
• It also prevents cornea scar deformation.
• The enzyme is added into toothpastes to aid in the teeth whitening process.
• Papain has a lot of healing properties and is therefore used in creams and the like.
• It is used in healing of edemas.
• It lessens the inflammatory processes that are harmful for the body's function.
• Some countries make use of this enzyme to trigger abortions.
• It helps in the treatment of cold sores.
• It is used for defibrinating wounds in hospitals.
• It helps to relieve asthma symptoms.
• These enzymes are also used as a treatment for ulcers.
• It helps to dissolve membranes in diphtheria.
• The enzyme is also known to reduce swelling and fevers after a surgery.
• It also aids in cleaning bowels and helps to regulate them.
• It helps to clean away the dead tissues from the body.
• It helps in dissolving fat purges of the skin and soften it, it therefore finds its inclusion in very many beauty products.
• It helps to reduce the swelling that is experienced after a sore or strep throat.
• It helps to clear out sinus pain that is caused by a swollen or blocked sinus.
• It helps in aiding the recovery of sports injuries by reducing the swelling and the thin mucous.
• The enzyme helps in the treatment of celiac disease by breaking down the wheat gluten.
• It helps to relieve arthritis pain.
• This enzyme works as a cleansing agent for soft contact lenses.
• It helps in relieving acute prostate inflammation.
• It is used for tanning of leather.
• It is also used in applications in the paper industry, in the adhesive industries and in sewage disposal.
• It also helps in conditions like dyspepsia (bloated stomach) and phytobezoar (blockage of intestines).

The benefits of the papain enzyme have been known for over a century now and people from all over the world are waking up to make use of it for their advantage. Won't you?