Bromelain extraction using single stage nanofiltration membrane process

Pineapple (Ananas Comosus) is a tropical fruit having exceptional juiciness, vibrant tropical flavor and immense health benefits. Pineapples are not only taken fresh but they have been commercialized in the canning industry. Morris cultivar is mostly supplied to the canning industry where only the flesh is utilized and the rest of the pineapple (50 wt%) such as the core, stem, peels and crown are discarded as wastes. In the extraction of bromelain which is a vital proteolytic enzyme the whole pineapple including its peels, core, stem and crown can be utilized. This enzyme is very valuable and considered as a food supplement with a wide range of therapeutic benefits. Thus, in this study, bromelain is extracted from the flesh, crown, stem, core and peel of pineapples using simple one stage hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane process. The different parts of the pineapple were crushed to extract the juice. The juice was then centrifuged and the supernatant was then passed through a nanofiltration membrane. Results revealed the retentates from the different pineapple parts contain high amounts of bromelain in descending order flesh > peel > core > crown > stem. The amount of bromelain activity increased after every process especially after freeze drying.