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P
apaya is a versatile plant having number of uses and
enzymatic properties. It could also be called medical
plant rendering high income to farmers. One can
manufacture products like tutti-frutti, candy slices (murabba)
and dehydrated papaya powder from raw papaya.
Origin of Papaya
The latex of the papaya plant and its green fruits contains two proteolytic enzymes, papain and
chymopapain. The latter is most abundant but papain is twice as potent. In 1933, Ceylon (Sri
Lanka) was the leading commercial source of papain but it has been surpassed by East Africa
where large-scale production began in 1937.
Papain
Papain is the only plant proteinase now being used as a protein digestant. It is used in
combating dyspepsia and other digestive disorders. It is used in the manufacturer of
pharmaceutical preperations like glyc. Papain, elix papain, liquid papain and liver tonics. Papain
finds extensive use in the manufacturer of proteolysed preperations of meat, liver and casein. In
brewing industries it is also used in tenderizing meat and softening of leathers, degumming of
natural silk and wool fabrics, chewing gums, tooth paste and cosmetics. Indigenous demand its
80-90% production is exported to USA and European countries, Western countries import
purified papaya latex for further processing to meet their specialised needs.
Uses of Papain
Papain by far is the most widely studied of the cysteine enzymes because of its commercial
value. It is used in applications like tendering of meat for fast cooking, softening of silk fibre and
leather, chill proofing of beer and pharmaceutical preparations for curing stomachic ailments.
Papaya pulp is also used in food processing industry. Some other uses of papain include:
Production of Papain
Farmers generally cultivate CO, CO2 developed by TN Agriculture University and Taiwanese
varieties. One plant gives a yield of about 150 kg of fruit in 8
8-10
10 months period. Plant to plant
distance of 2 meters is kept. Some farmers adopt inter
inter-cropping
cropping practice and grow chillies for
higher return.
turn. One can generate a profit of 10
10-12
12 lakhs from a plantation of 20 acres. A small
plant for production of papain could be set up near the field which costs around Rs. 5.00 lakhs
on machinery apart from infrastructure like shed, utilities like water and electricity.
The unripe papaya is first given a longitudinal cut in the evening and it is wrapped by polythene
bag for collection of latex during next day morning with the
rising of sun. After collection the latex is mixed p
potassium
meta by-sulphite (Kms)
ms) and kept in cold storage to avoid
fermentation. Subsequently the latex is spread in trays and
drying takes about 4 hours. After drying the latex is scratched
from the trays. It is again mixed with K
Kms and ground in SS
hammer mills or roller and mills to get fine powder. Then its
proteolactec activity is tested in laboratory. Subsequently
lactose is added to the latex powder to get BP or IP grade
papain. The ready papain is finally packed in airtight polythene
bags or metal containers. Fig. Vacuum
acuum shelf driers
The main requirements of equipment are vacuum shelf dried de
de-humidifier,
humidifier, hammer milk,
blender, lab equipment and auxiliary equipment like cans, weighing scale, walk--in cooler sealing
machine.
All this equipment is available indigenously from food processing machinery manufacturers.
Techno-Economics
The plant should be set up near the field but water and electricity should be available. In
addition, farmer can sell the ripe fruit in the market. It is a highly profitable venture. Another has
been instruments is transfer of this technology to few entrepreneurs.
M. S. Virdi
Ex-Director, CSIR, Bhopal.
H-15, Sterling Castles, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal
E-mail: virdim@yahoo.com
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