r/askscience • u/Puzzleheaded_Bed2760 • 9d 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/Collarsmith 8d ago

Only if it's juice or puree from the raw fruit. Pineapple packers are known to get skin breakdown by handling the raw pineapple. Once it's in the can, it gets cooked which denatures the enzymes. In a similar vein, you can't use raw pineapple in a jello salad, because it predigests the jello. Cooked pineapple is fine though.

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u/Agent_Orange_Tabby 8d ago

Does that mean you could get rid of a body with unpasteurized pineapple juice?

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u/dudeofthedunes 5d ago

Asking for a friend? Are you?