The papaya enzyme possesses both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability to eliminate dead skin cells. Therefore, it is an excellent ingredient for a range of skin care products that exfoliate, such as face scrubs, body cleansers, face masks, and peels.
Papaya is a fruit that contains papain, a type of enzyme. This enzyme is found in some skin care items due to its capability of enhancing the collagen in the skin as well as its ability to act as an exfoliator. Papain is part of a protein family that has a wide range of duties, such as endopeptidases and aminopeptidases, and is also able to work as an exopeptidase and endopeptidase. Moreover, this enzyme is extremely stable when the pH is neutral and even when temperatures are high.
The papain that is found in papaya is known for relieving skin irritations and its anti-inflammatory characteristics make it a great component for skin that is prone to acne and blemishes. Its natural exfoliating abilities are beneficial in brightening the skin by getting rid of dead skin cells and flaky patches on the surface layer of the skin.
Papain, also known as papaya proteinase I, is a cysteine protease (EC 3.4.22.2) enzyme present in papaya (Carica papaya) and mountain papaya (Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis). It is the namesake member of the papain-like protease family.
| Papain family cysteine protease | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Papain from Carica papaya | |||||||||
| Identifiers | |||||||||
| Symbol | Peptidase_C1 | ||||||||
| Pfam | PF00112 | ||||||||
| InterPro | IPR000668 | ||||||||
| PROSITE | PDOC00126 | ||||||||
| SCOP2 | 1aec / SCOPe / SUPFAM | ||||||||
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It has wide ranging commercial applications in the leather, cosmetic, textiles, detergents, food and pharmaceutical industries. In the food industry, papain is used as an active ingredient in many commercial meat tenderizers.
