bromelain

[ broh-muh-luh n, -leyn ]
/ ˈbroʊ mə lən, -ˌleɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

an enzyme, found in pineapple, that breaks down protein and is used as a meat tenderizer.
Compare papain.

Origin of bromelain

1890–95; apparently bromel(in) an earlier name for the enzyme ( Bromel(ia) a genus that formerly included the pineapple (see bromeliad) + -in2) + (pap)ain

Words nearby bromelain

bromate, bromatium, bromberg, brome grass, bromegrass, bromelain, bromeliad, bromelin, bromeosin, bromfield, bromhidrosis

Medical definitions for bromelain

bromelain
[ brō′mə-lān′ ]

n.

A peptide hydrolase obtained from pineapple used in treating inflammation and edema of soft tissues associated with traumatic injury.