Researchers from the Vazhakkulam Agro and Fruit Processing Company (VAFPC) are exploring the possibility of producing a Bromelain-enriched nutraceutical as well as pineapple leaf-based biodegradable, disposable cutlery and plates. This is done with the technical support from the Agro Processing Technology Division of CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram.
Bromelain has therapeutic applications and is a natural mixture of proteolytic enzyme. It can be extracted from the fruit or the stem of the plant. The extract is found to reduce the side effects of antibiotics.
It is explained that the consumption of Bromelain also increases immunity. It has anti-cancerous properties and is anti-inflammatory. The cream produced from Bromelain is used to treat burns and remove damaged tissues from wounds and has great business potential in the rapidly growing nutraceutical market.
