Halal Consumer

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The Enzyme Enigma
T
By Zaira Ahmad, MS, RD
he word “enzyme” probably brings you back to your
high school biology class. If you have an elephant’s
memory, you likely can utter the phrase “enzymes are catalysts,”
but what does that really mean? And how does
that apply to you now as a halal consumer? What is the
role of enzymes in the human body and the foods we eat?
What are Enzymes?
Enzymes are special proteins. They play a role in almost
every function that occurs in our bodies. The human body
utilizes enzymes in over 4,000 necessary biochemical
reactions. About half of these reactions are related to
food digestion. Not all enzymes can perform the same
job. For example, macronutrients are broken down by the
enzymes protease (for proteins), lipase (for fats), and
amylase (for carbohydrates). Protease could not break
down fats or carbohydrates and so forth.
Enzymes can be isolated and used to manipulate reactions
in a laboratory. They are considered catalysts for biochemical
reactions. Catalysts are agents that increase the rate of
a reaction without being changed during the reaction.
Within the human body, the pancreas and intestines produce
enzymes for digestion, however enzymes can also be
ingested from different food sources. Some examples of
foods known to aid in digestion for their enzymatic properties
are pineapple (bromelain to break down protein),
avocado (lipase to break down fats), and bananas (amylase
to break down carbohydrates). You can also use the
enzymes naturally found in foods as healthy alternatives to
chemical additives. Try using pureed unripe papaya to tenderize
raw meats in lieu of store bought meat tenderizers.
The enzyme called papain in this fruit will break down proteins
that can be difficult to chew even after cooking.
Enzymes and Food Production
Historically, enzymes were used for fermentation, the
production of alcoholic beverages and teas, and cheese
manufacturing. In the modern food industry, there is a
wide range of applications. Dr. Saeed A. Hayek, a food
scientist with the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of
America (IFANCA®), explains that in “food products,
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