What Is “Plant Proteinase”?

2024.05.11


Plant Protease is a kind of protein component which can be separated, obtained and enriched from plants

 

Enzymes are proteins with catalytic effects in plants. Biochemical reactions in plants are generally carried out under the action of enzymes. Without enzymatic catalytic reactions, plant life would stop. Enzyme is also the catalyst of metabolism in human body, and only enzyme exists can carry out various biochemical reactions in human body. Enzymes are essential to the existence of life, and all diseases are caused by the loss or imbalance of enzymes. Enzymes are more important than vitamins. Without enzyme, no amount of vitamin and trace elements can be added to play a role. Obviously, when our health is overstretched because of enzyme deficiency, the best thing to do is to take plant enzymes as a habit, just like taking vitamins.  

 

Plant protease exists widely in nature. For example, there are many kinds of protease in various beans, grains, mushrooms and other plants, but the concentration of each enzyme is very low. At present, the most studied protease is from pineapple and papaya.  

 

Papain commonly used in industry is often not refined and purified, consisting of papain, papain chymosin, cysteine protease, cellulase, lysozyme, glutamine and glucolase and other components.  

 

Health benefits of papain

 

1) Aids digestion

The main benefit of this enzyme is that it acts as a natural digestive enzyme, breaking down food, especially protein. It is usually taken in chewable tablets. It reduces bloating and aids digestion. The digestive system relies on enzymes to break down food. Carbohydrates and sugars are easy to digest quickly, but protein is harder to break down and takes longer time to pass through the digestive system. Papain is considered as a proteolytic enzyme because it works by targeting the separation of bonds within a dietary protein molecule. Papain therefore aids in protein breakdown and absorption of amino acids from the digestive system.  

 

2) Relieves celiac disease allergy

Celiac disease is usually caused by an allergy to gluten, a protein found in barley, wheat or rye grains, and is known to affect about 1 percent of adults. These people can take the enzyme in moderation to break down gluten into non-allergenic amino acids, making it easier to digest by their stomachs. 

 

3) Good for skins

The enzyme not only helps wounds healing, it also keeps scars from growing and harmful bacteria from getting in. This enzyme has a remarkable effect on exfoliating and rejuvenating the skin, it is also a great natural treatment for skin problems such as acne, which affects about 70-90% of young people, both male and female. Changes in hormone levels, genes and stress are all factors. This enzyme is used in traditional medicine to treat psoriasis. Papain also fights the shingles virus, which causes shingles.  

 

4) Natural remedies for joint pain

Arthritis is a group of degenerative and painful joint diseases characterized by inflammation of the joints, leading to pain and stiffness. According to research, more than 30% of adults suffer some type of joint pain every four weeks. The anti-inflammatory properties of this enzyme have been shown to be quite beneficial in reducing joint pain.

 

Bromelain is an enzymatic substance obtained from the Phoenix pear family plant. There are more than 40 genera and 2000 species of pear plants, including wheat, ginger, banana, sugarcane, dayflower, coconut, areca nut and so on. Why should bromelain be used to justify its name?  The main reason is that the concentration of this protease is higher in pineapple plants, and the extraction amount is also higher, so this enzyme has become a representative component of pineapple. The protease content in pineapple is mainly concentrated in non-edible parts, such as leaves, stems and roots, so the pineapple fruit we usually eat is not used as raw material to extract enzymes. Generally, it gets with ultrafiltration method to filter and concentrate, and freeze-drying under low temperature. Its appearance is light gray powder.  

 

Scientific research has proved that bromelain can absorb subcutaneous blood stasis and reduce the tenderness from bruising. And the enzyme can enhance the activity of subcutaneous protein and promote reproduction and differentiation of new protein .  

 

Health benefits of Bromelain

 

1) Relieve pain and accelerate wound healing. Bromelain reduces swelling, bruising, and healing time, helping surgical patients heal faster and relieve postoperative pain and physical damage.  

 

2) Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus)

Bromelain may help reduce the cough and nasal mucus associated with sinusitis, though not all studies agree. But bromelain is used in Europe to treat sinus and nasal swelling after surgery of ear, nose and throat or trauma. It can also reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by hay fever.  

 

3) Arthritis

One study shows that a combination of bromelain and trypsin works as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in reducing knee pain caused by osteoarthritis and it is a common painkiller. Nsaids include ibuprofen (Advil or ibuprofen), naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren). Earlier studies have shown that bromelain can also help reduce pain in patient with rheumatoid arthritis, and is used to reduce inflammation caused by tendinitis, sprains and strains, and other minor muscle injuries.