Application of an aqueous two‐phase micellar system to extract bromelain from pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel waste and analysis of bromelain stability in cosmetic formulations

Abstract

Bromelain is a set of proteolytic enzymes found in pineapple (Ananas comosus) tissues such as stem, fruit and leaves. Because of its proteolytic activity, bromelain has potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The present study focused on the recovery of bromelain from pineapple peel by liquid-liquid extraction in aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS), using Triton X-114 (TX-114) and McIlvaine buffer, in the absence and presence of electrolytes CaCl2 and KI; the cloud points of the generated extraction systems were studied by plotting binodal curves. Based on the cloud points, three temperatures were selected for extraction: 30, 33, and 36°C for systems in the absence of salts; 40, 43, and 46°C in the presence of KI; 24, 27, and 30°C in the presence of CaCl2 . Total protein and enzymatic activities were analyzed to monitor bromelain. Employing the ATPMS chosen for extraction (0.5 M KI with 3% TX-114, at pH 6.0, at 40°C), the bromelain extract stability was assessed after incorporation into three cosmetic bases: an anhydrous gel, a cream, and a cream-gel formulation. The cream-gel formulation presented as the most appropriate base to convey bromelain, and its optimal storage conditions were found to be 4.0 ± 0.5°C. The selected ATPMS enabled the extraction of a biomolecule with high added value from waste lined-up in a cosmetic formulation, allowing for exploration of further cosmetic potential.

Evaluation of the enzymatic activity and stability of commercial bromelain incorporated in topical formulations

“…Spir et al . reported stability studies on bromelain‐containing formulations using visual inspection method, following loss of enzymatic activity. As an increase in time and temperature darkens the colour of the formulations as well as decreases its enzymatic activity, both can be related to enzymatic degradation, most likely due to the oxidation of the protein groups in bromelain.…”

Natural actives for wound healing: A review

“…Pineapple has been used as part of traditional folk medicine since ancient times (Rathnavelu, Alitheen, Sohila, Kanagesan, & Ramesh, ), and bromelain has been chemically known since 1875 and used as a phytomedical compound ever since (Lourenço et al, ; Taussig & Batkin, ). The term bromelain is used to describe a mixture of proteolytic enzymes and nonenzymatic substances found in Bromeliaceae species, mainly in pineapple ( Ananas comosus L.) and its stem, fruit, and leaves (Maurer, ; Rathnavelu et al, ; Spir et al, ). However, the complete molecular mechanism of action of bromelain has not been completely identified, bromelain gained universal acceptability as a phytotherapeutic agent, being widely administered for its well‐recognized properties, such as its antiinflammatory, antithrombotic and fibrinolytic affects, anticancer activity, and immunomodulatory effects, in addition to being a wound healing and circulatory improvement agent (Ataide, Cefali, et al, ; Rathnavelu et al, ; de Lencastre Novaes et al, ; Lourenço et al, ; Maurer, ; Spir et al, ; Taussig & Batkin, ).…”

“…Oil‐in‐water emulsions were developed to vehicle‐extracted and commercial‐available bromelain; however, its enzymatic activity decrease during time and depending on storage conditions (Lourenço et al, ; Spir et al, ). Hydrogel dressings with bromelain were also developed, using synthetic and natural polymers.…”

An overview of applications in pineapple agroindustrial residues

“…Bromelain is a group of proteolytic enzymes found in pineapple tissues. Due to its high activity, it can potentially be used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries (Spir et al, 2015). Chaurasiya et al (2015) used reverse micelle extraction (RME) for the separation and purification of bromelain from the pineapple nucleus.…”