Bromelain
Bromelain is a group of cysteine proteases taken from pineapple (Ananas comosus), mostly from the stem left after fruit harvest, with some fruit bromelain made from juice. Juice pressed from the stems is clarified, concentrated and the enzyme precipitated and dried to a white to light tan powder. Brands buy it standardized to a stated protease activity for supplements, meat processing and protein hydrolysis.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Bromelain at a stated activity, commonly given in gelatin digesting units (GDU) or FCC papain units (PU) per gram, sometimes cut with maltodextrin.
Concentrated grades such as 2,400 GDU/g used in capsules and tablets where fill weight is tight.
Most commercial bromelain is from the stem; fruit bromelain is a separate, less common product with a different enzyme profile.
Coated or granulated grades for tableting and for products that need lower dust and better flow.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep bromelain sealed in a cool, dry place away from light and heat; activity drops in warm, humid storage. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification as a minimum activity to a date, and aged stock is retested for activity before use. Supplier safety data sheets call for dust control and respiratory protection when weighing the powder.
Activity differs between lots and between unit systems, so record the measured activity and its unit for each lot and calculate the dose from it. Note whether the lot is stem or fruit bromelain and the carrier used, and rotate stock first-expired, first-out.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 184.1024 affirms bromelain, an enzyme preparation derived from the pineapples Ananas comosus and A. bracteatus, as GRAS as a direct food ingredient used to hydrolyze proteins or polypeptides.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Enzymes includes bromelain (item B.1) from the pineapples Ananas comosus and Ananas bracteatus.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Digestive Enzymes natural health product monograph lists bromelain with pineapple fruit and stem as source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Thane, India
Indian maker of enzymes and probiotics produced by fermentation, with a human nutrition range of digestive and systemic enzymes plus Saccharomyces boulardii for supplement makers.
Manufacturer · Hyderabad, India
Botanic Healthcare is a Hyderabad, India, maker of standardized and organic herbal extracts, branded botanical ingredients and liposomal ingredient grades for supplement and food companies.
Manufacturer · Scranton, PA
US enzyme supplier founded in 1953 that produces papain at its Scranton, Pennsylvania plant and sells food-grade proteases, carbohydrases and lipases for supplements and food processing.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include standardized powder, high-activity supplement grade, stem vs. fruit bromelain and enteric-coated or granulated. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect protease activity, identity, loss on drying, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep bromelain sealed in a cool, dry place away from light and heat; activity drops in warm, humid storage. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification as a minimum activity to a date, and aged stock is retested for activity before use. Supplier safety data sheets call for dust control and respiratory protection when weighing the powder.
21 CFR 184.1024 affirms bromelain, an enzyme preparation derived from the pineapples Ananas comosus and A. bracteatus, as GRAS as a direct food ingredient used to hydrolyze proteins or polypeptides. Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Enzymes includes bromelain (item B.1) from the pineapples Ananas comosus and Ananas bracteatus. Health Canada's Digestive Enzymes natural health product monograph lists bromelain with pineapple fruit and stem as source material.
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