Jell-O Discussion:Jell-O Discussion:

CollagenCollagen

WHAT IS WHAT IS COLLAGEN?COLLAGEN?

Collagen is found in all living animals.Collagen is found in all living animals.

It comes from hooves, bones, and It comes from hooves, bones, and connective tissue found in cows, horses connective tissue found in cows, horses and pigs.and pigs.

This protein is what gives body parts This protein is what gives body parts strength, flexibility, and protection.strength, flexibility, and protection.

What makes gelatin What makes gelatin become solid as it become solid as it

cools?cools?

BROMELAINBROMELAINPineapple belongs to a group of plants Pineapple belongs to a group of plants called Bromeliads (Kiwi, Papaya, and called Bromeliads (Kiwi, Papaya, and Figs)Figs)

Pineapple contains a plant enzyme called Pineapple contains a plant enzyme called bromelain that breaks down proteins, bromelain that breaks down proteins, such as collagen.such as collagen.

Bromelain is used in many meat Bromelain is used in many meat tenderizers for this purpose (and that's tenderizers for this purpose (and that's why cooking ham with pineapple makes it why cooking ham with pineapple makes it tender).tender).

WHY?WHY?Why do pineapples produce an enzyme Why do pineapples produce an enzyme that tenderizes meat?that tenderizes meat?

It's a defense mechanism. The sap of the It's a defense mechanism. The sap of the pineapple plant contains much higher pineapple plant contains much higher concentrations of Bromelain and can concentrations of Bromelain and can cause severe pain if eaten. cause severe pain if eaten.

The canning process denatures the The canning process denatures the enzyme, rendering it unable to break enzyme, rendering it unable to break down the collagen in the Jell-Odown the collagen in the Jell-O