Pineapple

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 20.03.2025

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Synonym(s)

Bromelain; Bromelainum of the pineapple comosus; comosus pineapple; pineapple (engl.)

Definition
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The pineapple (Ananas comosus or Ananas sativus) is a plant species from the bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae). The pineapple is native to tropical South America. Today, numerous varieties are distributed throughout the tropics. They are usually grown in large plantations. The plant reaches a height of 50cm to 2m. The leaves of the pineapple grow up to 1m long and form a leaf rosette with a central funnel. They are firm, curved and often have thorns.
Pineapple fruits are rich in vitamins (especially vitamin C) and minerals as well as enzymes (including bromelain and invertase).

Bromelain, a mixture of endopeptidases, is obtained from the fruit stems of the harvested plants (also contained in the fruit). Similar to papain (from papaya), bromelain is used to prepare meat (meat becomes tougher through enzymatic pre-treatment with bromelain).
Bromelain is used medicinally in system therapy to promote digestion. It is also used for post-operative edema and as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is also used locally to promote wound healing (the data on this is ultimately unsatisfactory).

Trade names
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Wobenzym® N ointment, Bromelain Pos® , dosage 1-2 tbl / day, higher in individual cases

Literature
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  1. Bekhit AA et al (2014) Exogenous proteases for meat tenderization. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 54:1012-1031.
  2. Ho D et al (2016) Is There a Role for Arnica and Bromelain inPrevention of Post-Procedure Ecchymosis or Edema? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Dermatol Surgery 42:445-463.
  3. Modi GM et al (2009) Irritant contact dermatitis from plants. Dermatitis 20:63-78.
  4. Pavan R et al (2012) Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012:976203.
  5. Rathnavelu V et al (2016) Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications. Biomed Rep 5:283-288.
  6. Reddy KK et al (2013) Common complementary and alternative therapies with potential use in dermatologic surgery: risks and benefits. J Am Acad Dermatol 68:e127-135.

Outgoing links (4)

Bromelain; Invertase; Papain; Wound chronic;