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: a protease in the juice of unripe papaya that is used especially as a tenderizer for meat and in medicine (as in the topical debridement of necrotic tissue)
Examples of papain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
My favorites are digestive enzymes containing the enzyme papain from papayas and bromelain from pineapple.
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Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2023
Best Cleanser Savings Revision Skincare's Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a gentle formula made with papain, an enzyme derived from papayas that gently exfoliates, leaving the skin softer, smoother, and more vibrant.
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Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 30 Aug. 2023
Crafted with care, these treats are infused with enriching full spectrum CBD extract, as well as a blend of beneficial ingredients like turmeric, papain, bromelain, and catnip leaf powder.
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Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2023
It's made with papain and papaya enzymes that are loaded with antioxidants, which exfoliate your pores and help to tone and soften your skin without stripping away its natural oils.
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Shannon Ullman, Health, 5 May 2023
This bright green fruit contains an enzyme called papain which helps dissolve dead stomach fat cells so they can be flushed out of your body.
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Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2022
And the smaller events, in many cases, produced genes associated with being carnivorous — like the ones that make papain, an enzyme in meat tenderizer.
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Joanna Klein, New York Times, 19 May 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'papain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary, from papaya
First Known Use
1880, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near papain
Cite this Entry
“Papain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papain. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on papain
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about papain
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