Does Bromelain Denature Proteins? The Science Behind This Pineapple Enzyme
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4 min read
As a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain's ability to break down proteins has been known for centuries, with early uses documented in folk medicine. This potent enzyme, derived from the pineapple plant, does not denature proteins in the traditional sense, but rather performs a specific and highly effective process known as proteolysis. Unlike heat, which unfolds and randomizes protein structure, bromelain catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds, cutting proteins into smaller polypeptides and amino acids.