Papain from Carica papaya
SIGMA/76216 - solution, light brown, ≥10 U/mg protein (~25 mg/ml)
CAS Number: 9001-73-4
EC Number: 232-627-2
MDL Number: MFCD00131791
Product Type: Chemical
| biological source | papaya |
| color | light brown |
| form | solution |
| mol wt | Mr ~23000 |
| Quality Level | 100 ![]() |
| specific activity | ≥10 U/mg protein (~25 mg/ml) |
| storage temp. | 2-8°C |
| technique(s) | cell culture | mammalian: suitable |
| single cell analysis: suitable |
| Application: | Papain from Carica papaya has been used: • in the enzymatic dissociation of rat cortices to extract astrocytes for cell culture • to study its effects on Alpaca seminal plasma viscosity and sperm function • to study its effects on the yield and cryo-survival of Rhinoceros spermatozoa |
| Application: | Papain is used as a meat tenderizer. It’s also used to break up tissue in the preparation of primary cell cultures. |
| Biochem/physiol Actions: | Papain is a cysteine protease that cleaves peptide bonds and is known to cleave the Fc portion of antibodies. |
| Biochem/physiol Actions: | Papain plays an important role in many biological processes in many living organisms. It exhibits proteolytic activity against proteins, amino-acid esters and amide links, and short-chain peptides. Papain preferentially cleaves the peptide bonds of basic amino acids such as arginine, phenylalanine, and lysine. It has a wide range of applications in drug discovery, pharmaceutical, food, baking, and dairy industries. |
| General description: | Papain is a proteolytic enzyme and is naturally occurring in papaya (Carica papaya L.). It is obtained from the latex of cut unripe papaya. Papain belongs to the cysteine proteinase family. It is a globular, single-chain protein composed of four disulfide bridges and catalytically essential residues. Papain consists of an all α-domain and anti-parallel β-sheet domain. |
| Other Notes: | 1 U corresponds to the amount of enzyme which hydrolyzes 1 μmol N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE, Cat. No. 12880) per minute at pH 6.2 and 25°C |
| Symbol | ![]() GHS07,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H315 - H319 - H334 - H335 |
| Precautionary statements | P261 - P264 - P271 - P302 + P352 - P304 + P340 + P312 - P305 + P351 + P338 |
| Hazard Codes | Xn |
| Risk Statements | 36/37/38-42 |
| Safety Statements | 22-24-26-36/37 |
| RIDADR | NONH for all modes of transport |
| WGK Germany | WGK 1 |
| Flash Point(F) | Not applicable |
| Flash Point(C) | Not applicable |
| activity | specific activity: ≥10 U/mg protein (~25 mg/ml) |
| Storage Temp. | 2-8°C |
| Enzyme Commission (EC) Number | 3.4.22.2 ( BRENDA ![]() ![]() |
| UNSPSC | 12352204 |



