✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

papainase

noun

pa·​pa·​in·​ase pə-ˈpā-ə-ˌnās How to pronounce papainase (audio) pə-ˈpī-ə- How to pronounce papainase (audio)
-ˌnāz
: any of several proteases (as papain, ficin, and bromelain) that are found in plants, are activated by reducing agents (as cysteine or glutathione), and are inactivated by oxidizing agents (as hydrogen peroxide or iodine) toward which other proteases are stable

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Papainase.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/papainase. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!