PINEAPPLE (Ananas Cosmosus)

Pineapple, which has been very popular in recent years due to the Bromelain it contains, has been used since ancient times. Ananas cosmosus, which belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, is widely cultivated in tropical countries. This plant was first discovered in Brazil by Jean de Léry in 1555 and from there it spread to tropical countries, continuing to be cultivated in England and France. The pineapple plant generally has a height of about 90 cm. It is always green. The leaves are rosette-shaped, long, narrow, pointed at the tips, with yellow and saw-shaped leaf margins.

The most important active ingredient in pineapple is Bromelain, which has become quite widespread today. Bromelain is a system protease that can be isolated from the root/stem and fruit of Pineapple. However, all commercial forms are generally obtained from the root/stem. Bromelain has been the subject of extensive academic studies and has been universally recognized as an enzyme preparation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bromelain was first discovered by Marcano in 1981 and then the mechanism of action of Bromelain was investigated in detail by Chittenden. These developments allowed the enzyme Bromelain to be produced on a large scale and widely used. Bromelain is obtained by centrifugation, ultrafiltration and lyophilization of the liquid portion obtained from pineapple.

Mechanism of Action of Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme that supports the digestive system and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Many years of research have shown that bromelain has fibrinolytic, anti-edema and anti-inflammatory effects. Bromelain has been highly demanded by the public, especially due to its edema-removing feature, and has been included in many slimming products. It has been emphasized that eating one fresh pineapple a day will support slimming.  Pineapple has been valued for years for its fiber, vitamins, elements such as manganese and copper, as well as its pleasant taste. Due to its low calorie value and nutrient richness, it is often included in the diets of people who want to lose weight. The phytotherapeutic bromelain is considered as a resource that can be used against obesity. It has been studied at the cellular level that SBM irreversibly inhibits 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation by reducing adipogenic gene expression and induces apoptosis and lipolysis in mature adipocytes.

In a study, mice were fed a daily high-fat diet with or without bromelain (20 mg/kg) for 12 weeks and bromelain was found to reduce the high-fat diet-induced increase in body weight by ~30% and organ weight by ~20% in liver weight. Approximately 60-70% of patients with obesity have dyslipidemia. Lipid abnormalities in obesity include high serum triglycerides, high cholesterol, high apolipoprotein B, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Studies have shown the antihyperlipidemic effects of pineapple juice or peel extracts due to bromelain and phenolic compounds. Therefore, bromelain has been reported to lower cholesterol in obesity by breaking down cholesterol plaques. Although bromelain has different applications in medical fields, difficulties arise in its use because the enzymes have limited stability and are sensitive to denaturation and changes that can reduce their activity. Nanotechnological methods have increased the enzymatic activity and properties of bromelain.

In the literature, there are warnings to consult a healthcare professional before using bromelain, individuals with bleeding disorders should use bromelain only after medical intervention and under strict medical control, bromelain should not be used during pregnancy and childbirth, and patients with liver and kidney disorders should avoid the use of bromelain. It has also been noted that people allergic to carrots, celery, fennel, rye, papaya, birch or cypress pollen, herbs or latex may be more sensitive to these side effects when using bromelain.