La papain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the papaya fruit. Let's see in detail how e is obtained what benefits does papain have.
Papain: what it is and what benefits does it have
La papain it is obtained from the latex of the immature fruits of the papaya or papaya, by cutting the pericarp of the fruit.
Latex is collected, it congeals in the air and coagulates by agitation. After harvesting, the latex is dried, obtaining the "raw papaya"consisting of rounded yellowish or brown fragments and a characteristic odor.
Papain is partially soluble in water and is purified by dissolution in water and subsequent precipitation with alcohol.
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La papain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes, such as bromelina present in pineapple and ficin present in different species of Ficus: it mainly hydrolyzes the polypeptides that contain basic amino acids such as leucine and glycine.
Thanks to his proteolytic action, papain is used to formulate products to be taken in case of digestive disorders, in gastric and duodenal insufficiencies. Papain is also used in cases of pancreatic insufficiency, bloating and diarrhea.
In addition to health, papain is used in the production of cosmetics, especially in anti-wrinkle creams and depilatory creams.
Papaya
La papaya (Carica papaya) is a tree of the Caricacee family, native to Central America and today cultivated throughout the tropical zone.
The papaya plant can reach ten meters in height, has a posture reminiscent of palm trees, with a fleshy trunk, large palmate and petiolate leaves.
All the organs of the plant are characterized by the presence of latex.
It produces male flowers and female flowers and the fruit is a large oval berry that can weigh up to five kilos. At maturity, the papaya fruit it is yellow-green on the outside, while inside it has an orange pulp and numerous black seeds surrounded by mucilage.
The pulp of the papaya is eaten fresh or used to make thirst-quenching drinks. In addition to papain, the papaya fruit contains vitamins, minerals, fiber and sugars.
There are also products based on fermented papaya on the market.
The consumption of papaya is not recommended in case of treatments with anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents and antidiabetic agents.
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Photo: viktarmalyshchyts / 123RF Stock Photo
