papain

American  

[puh-pey-in, -pahy-in] / pəˈpeɪ ɪn, -ˈpaɪ ɪn /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a proteolytic enzyme found in the fruit of the papaya tree, Carica papaya.

2. Pharmacology. a commercial preparation of this used as a meat tenderizer and in medicine as a digestant.

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papain British  

/ pəˈpeɪɪn, -ˈpaɪɪn /

noun

1. a proteolytic enzyme occurring in the unripe fruit of the papaya tree, Carica papaya: used as a meat tenderizer and in medicine as an aid to protein digestion

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Etymology

Origin of papain

First recorded in 1885–90; papa(ya) + -in ²

Example Sentences

For example, pineapple have a protease called bromelain, kiwifruit has actinidin and papaya have papain.

From US News • Apr. 27, 2016

Using a protein-splitting enzyme called papain, Porter broke the antibody molecule into three fragments.

From Time Magazine Archive

If children cried for Castoria in those days, they kicked papain the shins for Buster Brown and his sweetheart, Mary Jane, and his dog, Tige.

From Time Magazine Archive

If papain had the same effect on human slipped discs, he reasoned, they would shrink back into place.

From Time Magazine Archive

Several writers claim good results with glycerole of papain, pricking it in in the same manner as in tattooing.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman