HIDDEN SECRETS OF PAPAYA

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Papaya (Carica papaya) has been introduced into India by Portuguese in the middle of sixteenth century. Papaya is otherwise called as Wonder fruit of tropics and subtropics, backyard fruit, breakfast fruit, papaw and tree melon. It has high Nutritive value and it is It is rich in Vitamin A , moderate in vitamin C and rich source of calcium . Most of us know the edible part of papaya is fruit and it is consumed as whole. Other than that we can get extra income by growing papaya. Papain is the enzyme extracted in papaya before its maturity stage. It has many uses , let us discuss more about papain.

PAPAIN

Papain is an enzyme found in the white fluid (latex) that occurs in raw papaya fruit. It is a protease, meaning it breaks down proteins. Papain contains substances that might help fight infection and heal wounds.

Papain extraction

 Papain present in the latex tapped from 70-90 days old mature but unripe fruits. Latex is tapped by giving four longitudinal incisions at a depth of 2 to 3 mm. A stainless-steel blade attached to the tip of a bamboo splinter can be used as lancer. The latex coming out has to be collected in aluminium trays or high density trays. Other metallic containers should not be used as they react with latex. The fruit can be incised four times giving 3 or 4 cuts each time at four days interval. Potassium meta bisulphite (0.05%) is added to the liquid latex and mixed well for extending the storage life and the enzyme activity. The latex can be dried in sun or in driers at 50 to 55◦C temperature. The drying of latex is continued until it comes off in flakes having a porous structure. The dried papain is powered, sieved in a 10 mesh sieve and stored in polythene bags or in any other suitable container. Biochemical analysis of the fruit revealed that latex extraction has no effect on the quality of fruits. Papain can be tapped by about the 9th month. The dry crude papain yield ranges from 500-750 kg/ha in CO2 while CO5 gives as high as 1500-1600 kg crude dry papain powder per hectare.

Uses of papain:

1] IN MEDICAL INDUSTRY

           This enzyme can be utilised as a natural anti-inflammatory after trauma and surgery, as well as for fluid retention, in addition to aiding in maintaining normal digestion. It works well on skin ulcers, bedsores, and burns.

2] IN BREVARAGE INDUSTRIES

          Beers, ales, and other fermented malt beverages can benefit from the addition of papain. Papain can be used to chill-proof bottled drinks, which can enrich your drinks even more.

 3] PAPAIN IN SKIN CARE      

  Papain enzyme is not just used in the food business; it also has amazing skin-care properties. The proteolysis papain enzyme found in papaya aids in the gentle digestion and breakdown of big proteins that have collected on the skin. This is why it is referred to as a "skin-debriding agent," which causes the protein in the skin to break down, aiding in the removal of damaged skin cells and flaky patches, battling acne, pigmentation, and scarring, and revealing healthy skin from the inside out. It can also be used to clean soft contact lenses enzymatically. Additionally, the papain enzyme is very good at maintaining its proteolytic activity in a wide range of skin pH conditions, including those under which the pH of the facial skin seems to be lower than usual due to acne or other skin problems.

4] IN WOUND REGENERATION

          Parasites, cancers, and tumours frequently have an outer fibrin layer that protects them from the body's regular immune defence mechanism. Papain aids in their dissolution by cutting through the fibrin layer and enabling the body to reach the more delicate, weaker tissues. In essence, the immune system must unleash an acid response that kills and destroys these intestinal invaders. Doctors are considering the use of papain enzymes for treating cancer because of their potential to eradicate malignant cells.

5] IN ARREST OF BLOOD CLOT

          The virus that caused chickenpox persists even after symptoms have subsided. This may subsequently result in the shingles infection, which is known for its painful blistered rashes. Papain can be applied directly to the skin to treat ulcers, wounds, and shingles. Papain is a godsend to medicine since it can heal those deadly interior blood clots. Papain can also be used to treat basic illnesses such a runny nose, hay fever, and persistent diarrhoea in addition to these chronic conditions.

World trade in papain

·      The principal producers of crude papain are Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), Tanzania, Uganda and Sri Lanka. 

·      Main importers are USA, Japan, United Kingdom, Belgium and France. Almost all the best quality papain goes to the United States.                                                                                                                            

·      Crude papain is used in Britain in the brewing industry for chill-proofing beer and lager.

However, an increasing trend in additive-free beers - initiated by other European countries - is taking effect in Britain, whose market for papain is therefore declining. Papain is, however, used in the tenderising of meat and in production of meat tenderising powders.

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