Biocatalysts develops microbial alternative to papain
Welsh enzyme company Biocatalysts Ltd has developed a new enzyme as an alternative to papain, a papaya extract, which avoids susceptibility to seasonal price variations.
The enzyme, dubbed Promod 950L, can be used as a microbial alternative to papain, widely used for meat tenderizing, flavour production and in the manufacture of yeast extracts. Promod 950L is a non-genetically modified microbial protease preparation, which is kosher and halal – and its price, quality and supply are not dependent on the production of a seasonal fruit.
“It is particularly suitable for hydrolysis of baker’s and brewer’s yeast to increase protein solubility and yields during the manufacture of yeast extracts,” the company said in a statement.
The company also pointed out that when papain is used to make yeast extracts, sulphites are needed to stabilise its activity, which means that foods and drinks containing the ingredient must carry an allergen label if sulphites are present at over ten parts per million in the finished product.
Biocatalysts says its new enzyme does not require sulphites to stabilise its activity in the manufacture of yeast extracts, resulting in an allergen-free label.
