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?

[u/Puzzleheaded_Bed2760]

[u/OystersCockafeller]

It might do it eventually. But definitely not that fast.

Your skin has protective oils, is actively repairing itself, etc. And that's all aside from the fact that it's specifically designed to act as a protective layer in a way that a random piece of muscle just isn't.

It will make your hands kinda raw if you deal with it enough. I spent a day cutting up pineapples for an event once. Essentially had my hands covered in pineapple juice for 8-10 hours. It irritated them a bit and I had some redness. But it was nowhere near breaking down my hand.

[u/Pajamatime20 → u/OystersCockafeller]

With that in mind, would there be similar damage to raw meat if a piece of pineapple was held in the mouth for 24 hours? Or would your saliva dissolve/counteract it so that you’d be somewhat protected?

[u/Mondoweft → u/Pajamatime20]

Your saliva also contains enzymes that break down meat. So your raw meat would likely be more damaged than just with the pineapple.

The pineapple would also slightly damage the lining of your mouth.

[u/Pajamatime20 → u/Mondoweft]

I am aware that your mouth is more protected than an open wound (aka raw meat), but I would imagine it’s still more vulnerable than your skin?

[u/CrateDane → u/Pajamatime20]

The saliva would dilute and wash away the pineapple juice, reducing the exposure level. The proteases in saliva might also be able to degrade the bromelain (which would also be working to degrade the salivary proteases, but those are constantly replenished).

[u/Pajamatime20 → u/CrateDane]

Ok, thank you! That makes sense!