Extraction and crosslinking of bromelain aggregates for improved stability and reusability from pineapple processing waste

Novel approach on the evaluation of enzyme-aided alkaline extraction of polysaccharide from Hordeum vulgare husk and molecular insight on the multifunctional scaffold

Hordeum vulgare husk, a cereal grain, is rich in dietary fiber and prebiotics beneficial for the gut microbiota and host organism. This study investigates the effects of barley husk-derived water-soluble xylan (BH-WSX) on gut homeostasis and the microbiome. We enzymatically extracted BH-WSX and evaluated its prebiotic and antioxidant properties. A 40.0 % (w/v) xylan yield was achieved, with the extracted xylan having a molecular mass of 212.0885 and a xylose to glucuronic acid molar ratio of 6:1. Specialized optical rotation research indicated that the isolated xylan is composed of monomeric sugars such as D-xylose, glucose, and arabinose. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that the xylan comprises β (1 → 4) linked xylose units, randomly substituted with glucose residues, α-arabinofuranose, and acetyl groups. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis showed that the barley husk extract's backbone is substituted with 4-O-methyl glucuronic acid at the O2 position. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that WSX exhibits a single sharp peak at 266 °C on the Differential Thermal Gravimetry (DTG) curve. Furthermore, a combination of in vitro, in vivo models, and molecular docking analysis elaborated on the anti-adhesion properties of BH-WSX. This study presents a novel approach to utilizing barley husk as an efficient source of functional polysaccharides for food-related industrial applications.

Bromelain Immobilized onto Clay-Carboxymethylcellulose Composites for Improving Nutritive Value of Soybean Meal

Improvement of nutritional value and reduction of antinutritional factors (ANFs) of soybean meal (SBM) for animal feed applications could be achieved by using bromelain immobilized onto bentonite (Bt)-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) composites. The composite with mass ratio between CMC to calcium ion (Ca2+) at 1:20 provided the highest enzyme activity, immobilization yield higher than 95%, with superior thermal and storage stabilities. Performance of the immobilized bromelain for soybean protein hydrolysis was further studied. The results showed that at 60 °C, the immobilized bromelain exhibited the highest efficiency in enzymatic hydrolysis to release free alpha amino nitrogen (FAN) as a product with high selectivity and to effectively reduce SBM allergenic proteins within 30 min. In conclusion, immobilization of bromelain onto Bt-CMC composites leads to stability enhancement of the enzyme, enabling effective improvement in SBM quality in a short treatment time and showing great potential for application in animal feed industries.

A review on the immobilization of bromelain

This review shows the endeavors performed to prepare immobilized formulations of bromelain extract, usually from pineapple, and their use in diverse applications. This extract has a potent proteolytic component that is based on thiol proteases, which differ depending on the location on the fruit. Stem and fruit are the areas where higher activity is found. The edible origin of this enzyme is one of the features that determines the applications of the immobilized bromelain to a more significant degree. The enzyme has been immobilized on a wide diversity of supports via different strategies (covalent bonds, ion exchange), and also forming ex novo solids (nanoflowers, CLEAs, trapping in alginate beads, etc.). The use of preexisting nanoparticles as immobilization supports is relevant, as this facilitates one of the main applications of the immobilized enzyme, in therapeutic applications (as wound dressing and healing components, antibacterial or anticancer, mucus mobility control, etc.). A curiosity is the immobilization of this enzyme on spores of probiotic microorganisms via adsorption, in order to have a perfect in vivo compatibility. Other outstanding applications of the immobilized enzyme are in the stabilization of wine versus haze during storage, mainly when immobilized on chitosan. Curiously, the immobilized bromelain has been scarcely applied in the production of bioactive peptides.

Purification of pineapple bromelain by IMAC chromatography using chlorophyll-activated macroporous matrices

This study investigated the purification of bromelain obtained from pineapple fruit using a new adsorbent for immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), with chlorophyll obtained from plant leaves as a chelating agent. The purification of bromelain was evaluated in batches from the crude extract of pineapple pulp (EXT), and the extract precipitated with 50 % ammonium sulfate (EXT.PR), the imidazole buffer (200 mM, pH 7.2) being analyzed and sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0 + 1.0 NaCl as elution solutions. All methods tested could separate forms of bromelain with molecular weights between ±21 to 25 kDa. Although the technique using EXT.PR stood out in terms of purity, presenting a purification factor of around 3.09 ± 0.31 for elution with imidazole and 4.23 ± 0.12 for acetate buffer solution. In contrast, the EXT methods obtained values between 2.44 ± 0.23 and 3.21 ± 0.74 for elution with imidazole and acetate buffer, respectively, for purification from EXT.PR has lower yield values (around 5 %) than EXT (around 15 %). The number of steps tends to reduce yield and increase process costs, so the purification process in a monolithic bed coupled to the chromatographic system using the crude extract was evaluated. The final product obtained had a purification factor of 6, with a specific enzymatic activity of 59.61 ± 0.00 U·mg-1 and a yield of around 39 %, with only one band observed in the SDS-PAGE electrophoresis analysis, indicating that the matrix produced can separate specific proteins from the total fraction in the raw material. The IMAC matrix immobilized with chlorophyll proved promising and viable for application in protease purification processes.

Enhancing Bromelain Recovery from Pineapple By-Products: A Sustainable Approach for Value Addition and Waste Reduction

Pineapple by-products are good sources of bromelain, a complex enzyme with commercial applications. This study evaluated the feasibility of producing bromelain powders from pineapple waste using an organic solvent-free approach. Pineapple by-products (from var. MD2), including cores, peels, crowns, stems, and basal stems, were homogenized with deionized water, and the pH of the mixture was adjusted to 4.5 and 9 (isoelectric points of fruit bromelain and stem bromelain), clarified, ultra-filtered, and freeze-dried to produce bromelain powders. The enzymatic activity of the bromelain powders was measured using the gelatin and casein digestion methods. The bromelain powders from the crowns did not show significant enzymatic activity (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, bromelain powders produced from the cores and peels had an enzymatic activity of 694 gelatin digesting units (GDU)/g and 124 casein digesting units (CDU)/mg, and 1179 GDU/g and 217 CDU/mg, respectively. Bromelain powders from the basal stems showed the highest enzymatic activity (2909 GDU/g and 717 CDU/mg). Increasing the pH of the liquid mixture before the purification and freeze drying significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the enzymatic activity of the bromelain powders. Using a practical and organic solvent-free approach, this study demonstrates the feasibility of producing bromelain powders with high enzymatic activity from pineapple waste.

Magnetic core-shell cellulose system for the oriented immobilization of a recombinant β-galactosidase with a protein tag

The objective of this study was to immobilize a recombinant β-galactosidase (Gal) tagged with a cellulose-binding domain (CBD) onto a magnetic core-shell (CS) cellulose system. After 30 min of reaction, 4 U/capsule were immobilized (CS@Gal), resulting in levels of yield and efficiency exceeding 80 %. The optimal temperature for β-galactosidase-CBD activity increased from 40 to 50 °C following oriented immobilization. The inhibitory effect of galactose decreased in the enzyme reactions catalyzed by CS@Gal, and Mg2+ increased the immobilized enzyme activity by 40 % in the magnetic CS cellulose system. The relative enzyme activity of the CS@Gal was 20 % higher than that of the soluble enzyme activity after 20 min at 50 °C. The CS support and CS@Gal capsules exhibited an average size of 8 ± 1 mm, with the structure of the shell (alginate-pectin-cellulose) enveloping and isolating the magnetic core. The immobilized β-galactosidase-CBD within the magnetic CS cellulose system retained ∼80 % of its capacity to hydrolyze lactose from skim milk after 10 reuse cycles. This study unveils a novel and promising support for the oriented immobilization of recombinant β-galactosidase using a magnetic CS system and a CBD tag. This support facilitates β-galactosidase reuse and efficient separation, consequently enhancing the catalytic properties of the enzyme.

Bromelain: a review of its mechanisms, pharmacological effects and potential applications

The utilization of plant-derived supplements for disease prevention and treatment has long been recognized because of their remarkable potential. Ananas comosus, commonly known as pineapple, produces a group of enzymes called bromelain, which contains sulfhydryl moieties. Recent studies have shown that bromelain exhibits a wide range of activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-rheumatic properties. These properties make bromelain a promising drug candidate for the treatment of various diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity of bromelain has been shown to be useful in treating inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, whereas the anti-cancer activity of bromelain is via induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, and enhancement of the body's immune response. The anti-diabetic property of bromelain is owing to the improvement in glucose metabolism and reduction in insulin resistance. The therapeutic potential of bromelain has been investigated in numerous preclinical and clinical studies and a number of patents have been granted to date. Various formulations and delivery systems are being developed in order to improve the efficacy and safety of this molecule, including the microencapsulated form to treat oral inflammatory conditions and liposomal formulations to treat cancer. The development of novel drug delivery systems and formulations has further ameliorated the therapeutic potential of bromelain by improving its bioavailability and stability, while reducing the side effects. This review intends to discuss various properties and therapeutic applications of bromelain, along with its possible mechanism of action in treating various diseases. Recent patents and clinical trials concerning bromelain have also been covered.

Application of Plant Proteases in Meat Tenderization: Recent Trends and Future Prospects

Papain, bromelain, and ficin are commonly used plant proteases used for meat tenderization. Other plant proteases explored for meat tenderization are actinidin, zingibain, and cucumin. The application of plant crude extracts or powders containing higher levels of compounds exerting tenderizing effects is also gaining popularity due to lower cost, improved sensory attributes of meat, and the presence of bioactive compounds exerting additional benefits in addition to tenderization, such as antioxidants and antimicrobial effects. The uncontrolled plant protease action could cause excessive tenderization (mushy texture) and poor quality due to an indiscriminate breakdown of proteins. The higher cost of separation and the purification of enzymes, unstable structure, and poor stability of these enzymes due to autolysis are some major challenges faced by the food industry. The meat industry is targeting the recycling of enzymes and improving their stability and shelf-life by immobilization, encapsulation, protein engineering, medium engineering, and stabilization during tenderization. The present review critically analyzed recent trends and the prospects of the application of plant proteases in meat tenderization.

Anticancer properties of bromelain: State-of-the-art and recent trends

Bromelain is a key enzyme found in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.); a proteolytic substance with multiple beneficial effects for human health such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic, traditionally used in many countries for its potential therapeutic value. The aim of this updated and comprehensive review focuses on the potential anticancer benefits of bromelain, analyzing the cytotoxic, apoptotic, necrotic, autophagic, immunomodulating, and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer cells and animal models. Detailed information about Bromelain and its anticancer effects at the cellular, molecular and signaling levels were collected from online databases such as PubMed/MedLine, TRIP database, GeenMedical, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The results of the analyzed studies showed that Bromelain possesses corroborated pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-edema, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-coagulant, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-trauma pain, anti-diarrhea, wound repair. Nonetheless, bromelain clinical studies are scarce and still more research is needed to validate the scientific value of this enzyme in human cancer diseases.

Sustainable utilization of pineapple wastes for production of bioenergy, biochemicals and value-added products: A review

Agricultural residues play a pivotal role in meeting the growing energy and bulk chemicals demand and food security of society. There is global concern about the utilization of fossil-based fuels and chemicals which create serious environmental problems. Biobased sustainable fuels can afford energy and fuels for future generations. Agro-industrial waste materials can act as the alternative way for generating bioenergy and biochemicals strengthening low carbon economy. Processing of pineapple generates about 60% of the weight of the original pineapple fruit in the form of peel, core, crown end, and pomace that can be converted into bioenergy sources like bioethanol, biobutanol, biohydrogen, and biomethane along with animal feed and vermicompost as described in this paper. This paper also explains about bioconversion process towards the production of various value-added products such as phenolic anti-oxidants, bromelain enzyme, phenolic flavour compounds, organic acids, and animal feed towards bioeconomy.

A comprehensive overview on the anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and ferroptosis functions of bromelain: an emerging cysteine protease

INTRODUCTION

Bromelain belongs to the cysteine protease endopeptidase class of enzymes isolated from the stem and fruit tissue component of Ananas comosus. The commercial and translational therapeutic potential of bromelain is ever increasing due to its augmented stability, easier purification, and salubrious pan-cancer effects.

AREAS COVERED

This paper presents the current state of knowledge about the isolation methods of bromelain, its safety, efficacy and tolerability. In addition, bromelains<apos;> role in eliciting pharmacological effects and its healing ability to mitigate cancer side effects based on accumulated in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence is relatively considerable.

EXPERT OPINION

Identification of molecular targets and crucial signalling pathways that bromelain regulates suggest it genuinely prospects for combating cancer and mitigation of chemotherapy or radiotherapy mediated side effects. Further research on the development of bromelain-entrapped drug delivery systems for augmented enzyme stability, processing ability and translational potential against cancer can be beneficial.

Beneficial Properties of Bromelain

Bromelain is a major sulfhydryl proteolytic enzyme found in pineapple plants, having multiple activities in many areas of medicine. Due to its low toxicity, high efficiency, high availability, and relative simplicity of acquisition, it is the object of inexhaustible interest of scientists. This review summarizes scientific reports concerning the possible application of bromelain in treating cardiovascular diseases, blood coagulation and fibrinolysis disorders, infectious diseases, inflammation-associated diseases, and many types of cancer. However, for the proper application of such multi-action activities of bromelain, further exploration of the mechanism of its action is needed. It is supposed that the anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and anti-coagulatory activity of bromelain may become a complementary therapy for COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients. During the irrepressible spread of novel variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such beneficial properties of this biomolecule might help prevent escalation and the progression of the COVID-19 disease.

Fabrication of immobilized bromelain using cobalt phosphate material prepared in deep eutectic solvent as carrier

The aim of the present work is to fabricate immobilized bromelain based on the specific interaction between the cobalt ions of carrier and the inherent cysteines contained in bromelain molecules. The cobalt phosphate material was prepared as solid support by using choline chloride (ChCl)/betaine-glycerol deep eutectic solvent (DES) as solvent and template for the first time. The Co-P material with lamellate-based structure obtained in the ChCl-glycerol DES at the Co/P ratio of 3:2 showed the best performance for the immobilization of bromelain. The specific interaction between Co²⁺ and bromelain promoted the aggregation of lamellar Co-P, forming flower-like Co-P@bromelain particles. Under the optimum immobilization conditions, the specific enzyme activity of the immobilized enzyme reached the maximum of 71244 U/g. Compared with Co₃(PO₄)₂ prepared in water system, the obtained Co-P@bromelain using the Co-P material synthesized in the ChCl-glycerol DES as carrier exhibited excellent structure stability. In addition, the immobilized Co-P@bromelain also showed higher catalytic efficiency than free bromelain.

From Enzyme Stability to Enzymatic Bioelectrode Stabilization Processes

Bioelectrocatalysis using redox enzymes appears as a sustainable way for biosensing, electricity production, or biosynthesis of fine products. Despite advances in the knowledge of parameters that drive the efficiency of enzymatic electrocatalysis, the weak stability of bioelectrodes prevents large scale development of bioelectrocatalysis. In this review, starting from the understanding of the parameters that drive protein instability, we will discuss the main strategies available to improve all enzyme stability, including use of chemicals, protein engineering and immobilization. Considering in a second step the additional requirements for use of redox enzymes, we will evaluate how far these general strategies can be applied to bioelectrocatalysis.

Purification and characterization of bromelain from pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) peel waste

Bromelain is widely used in food industry and pharmaceutical products due to its strong antioxidant properties. Therefore, the extraction of bromelain from pineapple peel may improve the profitability and sustainability of pineapple industry. The aim of this work is to show the purification, stability, and kinetics of bromelain from pineapple peel. By studying the stability of purified bromelain (PB), we found that the activity of PB was inhibited by Fe³⁺ , Al³⁺ , methanol, ethanol, and n-butyl alcohol, while it was increased in the presence of Ca²⁺ , ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid, glucose, D-xylose, maltose, potassium sodium tartrate, sodium citrate, citric acid, and sodium nitrite. These stability tests will expand the application and space acquisition of bromelain. The kinetics study indicated that the thermal inactivation of PB was conforming to the first-order reaction and the half-life (t_1/2 ) of PB under different temperature conditions (45, 55, 65, and 75 °C) was 81.54, 31.12, 10.28, and 5.23 min, respectively. Therefore, the inactivation time of PB can be predicted at different temperatures for food heating processing. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The potential of utilizing pineapple peel for bromelain extraction might improve the profitability and sustainability of the pineapple industry.