Abstract
Bromelain(EC 3.4.22.4), the collective name for the proteolytic enzymes found in tissues of the plant family Bromeliaceae(pineapple), has been used as a tenderizing agent in food processing, and as an antiinflammatory agent in pharmaceuticals. In this paper, we describe the simple purification method of bromelain using Korean pineapple fruit. After removing contaminants at 30% saturation of ammonium sulfate, the supernatant obtained was treated again with ammonium sulfate to 80% saturation. Wit the above salt fractionation, partially purified bromelain could be obtained. To get highly purified bromelain, the previous 30% to 80% ammonium sulfate treated precipitate was dialyzed against 25mM sodium acetate buffer(pH 5.0) followed by passing through a CM- cellulose cation exchange column. Fruit bromelain was eluted as a major peak at 0.5~0.8M NaCI gradient. The present method is simpler with high wield than the traditional purification method-acetone treatment and several consecutive chromatographic processes.