Which Enzyme Is Used in Tenderize Meat?

Artificial Tenderizing
The papain (a proteolytic enzyme) naturally present in the leaves acted on the structure of the meat, making it tender.

Which enzyme can tenderize meat?

The use of enzymes reduces the amount of connective tissues and does not breakdown myofibrillar proteins. Papain and bromelain are the most commonly used plant enzymes for meat tenderization (Liu, Liao, Qi, & Tang, 2008. The industry development of papain and bromelain.

What are the two enzymes found in meat tenderizer?

These enzymes, papain (from papaya) and bromelain (from pineapple), are the active ingredients in bottles of meat tenderizer. We've dismissed these products in the past because they effectively tenderize only the outermost layer of a piece of meat—not much of an improvement for a thick, tough steak.

David Miller

David Miller

Executive Financial & Market Analyst

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.