Trypsin is a serine protease in the digestive system of human and animals. The main function of this enzyme is to hydrolyze proteins into smaller peptides or even amino acids. Trypsin and other digestive proteases such as chymotrypsin are responsible for the digestion of food protein in the small intestine. This proteolytic function of trypsin has been widely used in the protein chemistry, proteomics, and nutrition research. This function is influenced by the sources of enzyme, and environmental factors such as pH, temperature, and the presence of trypsin inhibitors in the enzymatic reaction medium.
Trypsin is used in the food processing to improve the functional properties such as solubility, emulsification, foaming and gelling properties of food proteins, to improve the digestibility of vegetable and seed proteins. It is used to reduce the concentration of allergens in some foods and to produce protein hydrolysates and bioactive peptides that are used in infant formulas and for people with special health problems such as hypertension. In food science research, trypsin is used for the food protein sequencing, in-vitro determination of food protein digestibility. In combination with bromelain and rutin, trypsin is used for osteoarthritis. Trypsin is used to remove necrotic tissue and debris during wound and ulcer cleaning. Trypsin supplements may be used to remove dead tissue cells that remain after trauma, infection or surgical procedures, allowing new skin or tissue cells to grow.
