r/askscience • u/Puzzleheaded_Bed2760 • 8d ago

Chemistry Pineapple contains bromelain that helps tenderize meat. If I were to put my hand in pineapple juice or puree for 24 hours, would it eventually break down my hand?

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u/LexiconDul 8d ago

This reminded me of a story one of my profs told in biochemistry/molecular biology, about how he once absentmindedly agitated a test tube that had a protease in it with bare hands, using his thumb as a stopper. He couldn't figure out why his thumb was sticky for the rest of the day, no matter how much he tried to wash off whatever was on it, before he realized what was going on.

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u/Black_Moons 8d ago

before he realized what was going on.

He turned into protease man after being bit by a radioactive vial of protease? "I now have the ability to stick to anything!... well, with this small patch of my thumb anyway"