Análisis de la actividad enzimática de la bromelina obtenida a partir de residuos agroindustriales de la piña (Ananas comosus)

Abstract

In the country, pineapple processing agro-industries, in addition to generating a variety of products, generate a large amount of waste, such as crowns, peels, and cores, which are not treated appropriately and can have a negative impact on the environment. However, they are unaware of the bioactive compounds that they contain, such as bromelain, which can be used. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the enzymatic activity of bromelain powder obtained from pineapple pulp (control sample), peel, and core. To obtain the enzyme, the liquid-liquid extraction method was used with 96 percent ethanol for precipitation. The extracts were then centrifuged, filtered, flash-frozen, and freeze-dried. Yields were calculated. The pulp had the highest yield (1.81 per cent). Protein content was quantified using the Kjeldahl method. The peel (7.34 per cent) had the highest percentage, in contrast to the heart (5.18 per cent). On the other hand, with the absorbance data obtained from the spectrophotometer, the enzyme activity was calculated after the reaction between the enzyme (bromelain) and the substrate (casein). The heart sample showed better total enzyme activity: 169, 74 micromol over minute per millilitre and specific activity of 0.000328 mol over minute per miligram in relation to the other samples. Finally, it was found that bromelain obtained from pineapple core residues could generate added value in future research by incorporating it into a food product, giving it functional characteristics owing to its proteolytic action.