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papaya

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The milky sap of a unripe papaya contains a complex proteolytic enzyme called Papain. Although it is a protein, this enzyme is not damaged by heat. The crude extract consist of two crystallized enzymes called 'papain' and 'chymopapain'. The enzyme is similar to pepsin and hence it helps to digest protein in the body. It is therefore used to relieve indigestion. Externally the papaya latex is an irritant to the skin and internally it causes severe gastritis. Some people are allergic to various parts of the fruit. Papain can induce asthma and rhinitis and the related enzyme carpaine can cause paralysis, numbing of the nerve centers and cardiac depression.

Chymopapain was approved in 1982 for intradiscal injection in patients with documented herniated lumbar intervertebra discs and who had not responded to "conservative therapy".  Papain has an anticoagulant effect. Injection of the extract in a dog increases prothrombin and coagulation threefold. It is also claimed that the enzyme eliminates necrotic tissues in chronic wounds, burns and ulcers. Crude papain is also of commercial importance in the brewery industry, in the food industry and in the textile industry.

Vitamins and traces of an alkaloid called Carpaine have also been found in the latex. Apart from natural oils the seeds of the fruit also contains carbohydrates, carpasemine, benzyl senevol and a glucoside. Papain is also used to treat commercial beer, to degumm natural silk, as a meat tenderizer and in the production of chewing gums. Cosmetically it is used in shampoos and in face-lifting operations.  Capaine slows the heart rate in humans and thus reduces blood pressure. However, higher doses can produce vasoconstriction and the alkaloid is reported to have antihelminthic and amoebicidal actions.

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The roots and leaves of Papaya are a diuretic .  The leaves and seeds are antihelminthic.  Bilious conditions are treated with the fruit. Parts of the plant are also used to combat dyspepsia and other digestive disorders (papaya contains a proteolytic enzyme which soothes the stomach and aides in digestion) and a liquid potion has been used to reduce enlarged tonsils. In addition, the juice is used for warts, cancers, tumors, corns and skin defects while the root is said to help tumors of the uterus. In Africa, a root infusion is used to treat syphilis and the leaf is smoked to relieve asthma attacks. The Javanese believe that eating papaya prevents rheumatism.  In Cuba the latex is used to treat psoriasis, ringworm and the removal of cancerous growth. 

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Papaya was first described by the Spanish chronicler Oviedo in 1526 from the Caribbean coast of Panama and Colombia. Soon after it was grown throughout the tropics, its distribution being aided by the abundance of its seeds. The Papaya seed is viable for up to three years under cool, dry conditions and it is a herbaceous , dicotyledonous plant that may produce fruits for more than twenty years. The plant usually has a single trunk with several well developed branches.

The melon-like fruit varies in size and shape, and hangs from short, thick peduncles at the leaf axil. Its flowers are mostly dioecious and resembles each other until they start to develop sexual organs. The species is polygamous and can be classified into three sex types: male staminate, hermaphroditic (bisexual) and female pistillate. In addition, some plants can produce more than one kind of flower.

The pollination mechanism of the plant is not very well known but researchers 'Baker' and `Bawa' suggested that "pollination is performed by mimicry of the pistillate flowers to the staminate nectar-producing flowers." Another theory is that oxyalate packages in the anthers of the papaya plays a role in pollination as an enrichment of the nectar.

Whatever the case, we do know that the fruit is of great economic importance to tropical America where it is widely grown for its luscious fruit. The fruit which is orange-yellow when ripen, is a popular breakfast staple that is also used in jellies, preserves, fruit juices and as a beverage in certain Latin countries.

In addition, the leaves and root of the plant are also used in a variety of dishes. The bark can also be used for rope making and the leaves as a soap substitute, is an excellent stain remover.

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