Natural Enzymes - Another Gelatin Experiment

Natural enzymes – another gelatin experiment.
April 8, 2009 by http://theeexplorationstation.com

Purpose: To explore how natural plant enzymes work to digest food.
Materials:
• fresh pineapple (canned will not work as it’s been heat treated)
• package of gelatin – any color
• small cooking pot
• water
• blender
• stove
• clear glass containers
• teaspoon
• mixing spoon
• knife
Caution: Adult supervision and assistance needed because a stove and a knife is used in this
experiment.
Method:
Step 1. Remove the pineapple skin
Step 2: Take half of the pineapple and cube and place in a bowl. Set aside to eat as a snack.
Step 3: Take the other half of the pineapple and blend for a minute or two.
Step 4: Divide the amount in half again. Place half of the amount in a bowl.
Step 5. Place the other half in a small sauce-pot and cook for 5 minutes. It will boil, but that’s
okay. Remove from heat.
Step 6. Prepare the gelatin according to the directions on the package (usually 1 cup of boiling
water, stir 2 minutes until dissolved, then add 1 cup of cold water).
Step 7. Pour the gelatin into at least three bowls – one labeled none, one labeled hot (or heated),
one labeled cold (or unheated). Into the bowl labeled none, just add gelatin. Into the bowl labeled
hot, add the gelatin and one teaspoon of heated pineapple. Into the bowl marked cold, add the
gelatin and one teaspoon of unheated pineapple.
1
Step 8. Record “before” observations if you desire. My oldest noticed that the heated pineapple
sank bits sank, but the cold pineapple floated to the top. Also, note that before they are chilled,
all of them are liquid.
Step 9. Place the glass bowls in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Step 10. Now is a good time to eat a meal or a snack (like the pineapple you cubed in step 2, and
discuss the process of digestion. Discuss how enzymes break down protein into smaller pieces,
how enzymes are naturally present in some foods, like pineapple (bromelain) or papaya (papain).
Discuss how eating fresh pineapple or papaya with your meals helps you to digest proteins and
for that reason it is a very good addition to your diet.
Step 11. After the meal, pace around and ask a million times, “is it ready yet?” Whine for added
drama.
Step 12. After 4 hours, pull out the gelatin and observe:
2
(we stuck toothpicks into the gelatin to show the difference from left: no pineapple, heated
pineapple, and un-heated pineapple).
Step 12.5 . Discuss observations:
What happened to the gelatin with no added pineapple?

It solidifies just like it is supposed to. Together with water, it forms a semi-solid colloid gel. It
contains partially hydrolized proteins from the collagen of animals. (If you like gelatin deserts
and you don’t want to be turned off from it forever, or have a sensitive child, I do not
recommend further research on how gelatin is made).
What happened to the gelatin with the heat-treated pineapple? It also solidified.
Why?
Because heating the pineapple destroyed the enzyme, therefore it couldn’t break down protein.
What happened to the gelatin with the untreated pineapple?

It wouldn’t solidify and stayed in the liquid state.
Why? Because gelatin contains protein, and the enzyme (bromelain) in the pineapple remained
intact; it broke down or digested the protein in the gelatin. Therefore, it would not solidify and
remained in the liquid state.
Extra credit question:
After this experiment, can you answer why is fresh pineapple “better” for you than canned
pineapple?
Because canned pineapple has been heat-treated in the canning process, thereby destroying the
enzyme. It’s still good enough to eat, just fresh is better for you because it contains active
enzymes.
3
Here’s more information about the health benefits of bromelain:
From the University of Maryland Medical Center:
Overview:
Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes found in pineapples (Ananas

comosus ). Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat
indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the
pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s. It is approved by the
German Commission E to treat swelling and inflammation following surgery, particularly sinus
surgery.
Bromelain can be useful in treating a wide range of conditions, but it is particularly effective in
reducing inflammation associated with infection and injuries.
Indigestion:
Bromelain can digest proteins and may help relieve stomach upset or heartburn, particularly
when used in conjunction with other enzymes such as amylase (which digests starch) and lipase
(which digests fat). One animal study suggests that the antibacterial effects of bromelain may
help to control diarrhea caused by bacteria. However, human studies are needed.
Arthritis and other Inflammatory Conditions
Studies show mixed results, but one study suggested that a combination of bromelain, rutosid,
and trypsin was as effective as some commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
medications for reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil
or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and diclofenac (Voltaren), among others. Similarly, preliminary
studies suggest that bromelain may also help reduce pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis,
but the results are not definitive.
4
Discussion Questions
What happened to the gelatin with no added pineapple?
What happened to the gelatin with the heat-treated pineapple?
Why?
What happened to the gelatin with the untreated pineapple?
Why is fresh pineapple “better” for you than canned pineapple?

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Natural enzymes – another gelatin experiment.

April 8, 2009 by http://theeexplorationstation.com

Step 1. Remove the pineapple skin

April 8, 2009 by http://theeexplorationstation.com

Step 9. Place the glass bowls in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

April 8, 2009 by http://theeexplorationstation.com

Step 12.5 . Discuss observations:

What happened to the gelatin with no added pineapple?

What happened to the gelatin with the untreated pineapple?

Extra credit question:

April 8, 2009 by http://theeexplorationstation.com

Here’s more information about the health benefits of bromelain:

From the University of Maryland Medical Center:

Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes found in pineapples (Ananas

Arthritis and other Inflammatory Conditions

April 8, 2009 by http://theeexplorationstation.com

What happened to the gelatin with no added pineapple?

What happened to the gelatin with the heat-treated pineapple?

What happened to the gelatin with the untreated pineapple?

Why is fresh pineapple “better” for you than canned pineapple?

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