Question

One of your grandparents has been taking an expensive enzyme supplement that promises to improve health and promote longevity. The ingredient list indicates that it contains enzymes (which are proteins) taken from blueberries, carrots, lemon grass, and kale (so it's vegan).

Knowing what you've have learned about the activity of stomach acid, how would you tell your grandmother that her plant enzyme supplement likely doesn't work?

Answer 1

As the suppliment constitute of various plant enzymes and enzymes are chemically protein in nature, thus the chances of destruction (denaturation) of it inside stomach is possible due to activity of stomach acids(HCl).{ you can make your grandparent easily understandable by providing example of the process of coagulation of egg white which is also protein in nature(for the sake of understanding only)

**Note: this process can be avoided if the supplement is in the form of enteric coated tablets or any other dosage forms which protects the suppliment from the acidic ph of stomach.

Many studies also proves that certain plant and fungal enzymes can be active ileven in the acidic ph of stomach without denaturation (destruction).