Ficin

Protease (cysteine protease), which is activated by cysteine similar to bromelain or papain. It is found in the fresh latex of Ficus species (see Ficus carica the fig tree below). Ficin is used in food technology (meat tenderizer) as well as in the leather and textile industry. The protease is about 10 times more active than papain.

Medically, ficin is used to determine blood group antigens.

1. Barrett JT et al (1977) Serological studies with the ficin-antificin system. Enzymes 22:266-269.
2. Burger A et al. (1993) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary 7th Edition Walter de Gruyter Berlin-New York p. 545
3. Cohen W (1958) Characterization of ficin. Nature 182:659-660.