Papain is a cysteine protease found in papaya and mountain papaya. Contains 345 amino acid residues with three disulfide bridges. Has catalytic dyad consisting of cysteine-25 and histidine-159. Optimal temperature range is 60-70°C
Cofactors are non-protein compounds or metal ions required for enzyme catalysis. Cofactors can be inorganic ions or complex organic molecules called coenzymes. Coenzymes are derived from vitamins and can be prosthetic groups or cosubstrates. Many cofactors contain nucleotide AMP as part of their structure
Chymosin is a protease found in rennet produced by newborn ruminants. It helps curdle milk in newborns for better absorption. Found in various tetrapods, including pigs, cats, seals, and chicks. Humans have a pseudogene for chymosin on chromosome 1
Synergistic effects result from interactions between substances that produce greater overall impact than sum of individual effects. Term comes from Greek "synergos" meaning "working together"
Pepsin is an endopeptidase enzyme that breaks down proteins into peptides. Discovered in 1936 by Theodore Schwann, named after Greek word for digestion. Found in stomach lining as pepsinogen, secreted by chief cells
Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme produced by Serratia marcescens bacteria. Introduced to Japanese market in 1968 for various medical uses. Maximum daily dose is 60 mg, taken 2 hours after meals