Lexic.us

Definition of Papain

1. Noun. A proteolytic enzyme obtained from the unripe papaya; used as a meat tenderizer.

Definition of Papain

1. n. A proteolytic ferment, like trypsin, present in the juice of the green fruit of the papaw (Carica Papaya) of tropical America.

Definition of Papain

1. Noun. A proteolytic enzyme in papaya fruit. May aid in digestion and have other health benefits. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Papain

1. an enzyme [n -S] - See also: enzyme

Medical Definition of Papain

1. Thiol protease from Carica papaya (pawpaw). Thermostable and will act in the presence of denaturing agents. Although it will cleave a variety of peptide bonds there is greatest activity one residue towards the C terminus from a phenylalanine. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Papain

Literary usage of Papain

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Biochemical Catalysts in Life and Industry: Proteolytic Enzymes by Jean Effront (1917)
"papain. Preparation. — It has been known for a long time that the sap of Carica papaya L., or melon tree, contains a constituent which renders meats tender ..."

2. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1889)
"Chloral or papain may be employed for the same purpose. The great advantage of salicylic acid is, that it is an excellent parasiticide of the bacillus of ..."

3. Diseases of the Stomach by Ismar Boas (1907)
"In addition, papain and ... even believes in warning against the use of papain in ... but does not materially surpass the action of papain. ..."

4. Studies in Physiological Chemistry: Being Reprints of the More Important by Russell Henry Chittenden (1901)
"WHEN papain, the proteolytic enzyme of the papaw plant, ... Thus, it was stated that by the vigorous action of papain upon blood- fibrin, ..."

5. Saint Louis Medical and Surgical Journal (1890)
"papain in Diphtheria.—Not the least valuable of the properties of that singular vegetable pepsin, papain (derived from the Carica papaya or papaw), ..."

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