Low-cost Recovery of Bromelain Solids from Industrial Pineapple Peel, Pulp, and Core Wastes Using Ethanolic Cashew Leaf Polyphenol

Abstract

Bromelain, a valuable protease present in all parts of the pineapple fruit, was previously shown to be separated from pineapple juice and protected by complexation with polyphenols. This study aimed to establish a simple, low-cost procedure for the collection of solids with bromelain using industrial pineapple waste and polyphenols extracted from cashew leaf. An alternative method was introduced that allows for solids that have higher protease activities from pineapple core and pulp to be obtained from pineapple extract compared to typical extraction and purification methods. Using this modified method, solids were obtained from pineapple waste with the following protease activities: 5343 CDU/g (core), 5147 CDU/g (peel), and 5732 CDU/g (pulp). Given the simplicity and low cost of the procedure, this method can be of benefit to smaller pineapple producers who could profit from obtaining an otherwise expensive material using their production’s waste.

Anti-inflammatory potential of bromelain complexed with cashew leaf polyphenol

“…Specifically, BCLPs from the core (1000 µg/mL, 750 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL) and pulp (750 µg/mL) exhibited inhibition levels comparable to commercial bromelain, suggesting a potential for antiinflammatory applications (Figure 1). Notably, the core exhibited the highest inhibitory performance, which can be attributed to a higher bromelain content and enhanced enzyme activity recovery through a modified extraction process, as seen in previous studies 10,14 . In contrast, BCLPs from the peel demonstrated the lowest inhibition potentials.…”

“…The extraction and preparation methods were adapted from Dolino et al (2020). Crude pineapple extracts were prepared by mixing 300g of chopped pineapple core with 300 mL of 0.100 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer in a blender for 3 min.…”

“…Bromelain is also a proteolytic enzyme, which makes it susceptible to denaturation elements such as heat and acidity. A study lessened the cost of extraction by foregoing the use of high-grade laboratory equipment and chemicals in recovering bromelain from pineapple fruit waste, such as the core, pulp, and peel in a form that is complexed with cashew leaf polyphenol 10 .…”