Investigating Bromelain Activity Using a Two-Layer Agar Model for Debridement-Like Material Removal

Grade:

11

Teacher:

Jacko Kim Mabeza

This study investigates the effectiveness of bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme from pineapple, as a debridement-like agent using a safe two-layer agar model. Active (free) bromelain, heat-inactivated bromelain, and water were applied to a dyed agar layer to compare material removal. Percent mass change and blue-channel image analysis were used to measure enzyme activity. Results showed that free bromelain caused significantly greater material removal than controls, validating the two-layer agar system as an ethical and statistically supported model for studying bromelain activity relevant to wound debridement.

Project presentation

Research paper