Catalysis Using Enzymes in Pineapple Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

Background Research for Science Fair

Catalysis Using enzymes in Pineapple Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

Pineapples contain enzymes known as Bromelian. Bromelian are protein digesting enzymes and they are useful because they are well known for reducing muscle and tissue inflammation. They also aid in acting as a digestive aid. Overall, this enzyme helps in making your digestive system go faster. Bromelian is measured in units called GDU which mean gelatin digesting units. In our experiment, we are first going to see what juice; referring to fresh pineapple juice, canned pineapple juice and frozen pineapple juice; contain enzymes that digest protein. Then we are going to see how temperature affects the enzyme, and lastly the effect of pH on the enzyme. This topic relates to bigger science topics because it has to do with chemical reactions.

The experiment we are doing has been and is being tested by Dr. Mercola. The way he has carried out this experiment is by showing how it could help in the treatment of cancer. They tested this on animals and found that Bromelian didn't harm the animals as opposed to the chemo drug 5-fluorauracil actually killed the animals. The point in finding this out was that now scientists can see how enzymes might help in the treatment of cancer. The way our experiment is different is that we are applying the enzymes of pineapples to the effect on different chemicals and seeing the reaction in temperature of it. Although, the experiment of Dr. Mercola and the one we are conducting is relatively similar, one major difference if the use of gelatin. Dr. Mercola is conducting this to find how this enzyme will work on humans through injections, while we are just seeing if this enzyme is present through gelatin and how the chemicals will react with the enzyme.

The project we are doing is important because through the research of the enzyme in pineapple people are conducting this on the treatment of cancer. It has helped alter the ways in which we can find a cure to cancer. This is a huge advancement because when doctors are using a chemical to help cure something when a natural way can help. Although they haven't completely found this out, if they do end up using this, it will help many cancer patients in the world looking for a cure. To me, this will help so much because we can now reply on natural ways to help cure big diseases influencing