Turning Pineapple Waste into Green Gold: How PT Great Giant Pineapple (Lampung, Indonesia) Harnesses the Global Bromelain Enzyme Market through Circular Bioeconomy Innovation

Turning Pineapple Waste into Green Gold: How PT Great Giant Pineapple (Lampung, Indonesia) Harnesses the Global Bromelain Enzyme Market through Circular Bioeconomy Innovation

 

ABSTRACT

 

The pineapple processing industry generates substantial amounts of biomass waste that may pose significant environmental challenges if not properly managed. PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), located in Terbanggi Besar, Central Lampung, Indonesia, is one of the world's largest integrated pineapple processing companies, producing considerable quantities of pineapple cores, peels, and crowns as industrial by-products. An innovative strategy implemented by the company is the utilization of pineapple cores as raw material for bromelain enzyme extraction through its subsidiary, PT Bromelain Enzyme. This review aims to examine the industrial-scale development of bromelain extraction technology, the characteristics of pineapple core biomass, production processes, the implementation of circular economy principles, and opportunities for downstream product diversification. The study employed a literature review approach based on scientific publications, corporate sustainability reports, and previous studies related to pineapple waste valorization. The findings demonstrate that integrating bromelain extraction technology into an integrated waste management system substantially enhances the economic value of pineapple biomass. In addition to producing bromelain as a high-value commercial enzyme, extraction residues can be further utilized for the production of animal feed, resistant dextrin as a functional prebiotic, biogas, organic fertilizers, and biodegradable bioplastics. The business model implemented by PT GGP represents a successful example of circular economy implementation within a sustainable tropical agro-industrial system. Future advancements in purification technologies and enhancement of bromelain's specific enzymatic activity are expected to provide strategic opportunities for expanding Indonesia's competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets.

 

Keywords: Bromelain; Pineapple Core; Circular Economy; PT Great Giant Pineapple; Agroindustry; Biomass Waste; Waste Valorization; Sustainable Biotechnology.

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

Indonesia is among the world's leading pineapple-producing countries and has made significant contributions to the global export market for processed pineapple products. One of the country's largest pineapple production centers is located in Lampung Province, where PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP) operates an integrated pineapple plantation and industrial-scale processing complex. As one of the world's largest integrated pineapple processing companies, PT GGP plays a strategic role in Indonesia's agro-industrial sector by producing canned pineapple, pineapple juice concentrate, and various value-added pineapple products for international markets (Sutanto & Lubis, 2018).

 

The rapid expansion of pineapple processing industries has been accompanied by a substantial increase in biomass waste generation. During the canning process, only the edible portion of the fruit is utilized as the primary product, whereas approximately 40–60% of the total fruit biomass is discarded as processing residues, including peels, cores, crowns, and pomace (Ketnawa et al., 2012). If these by-products are not properly managed, they may cause serious environmental problems, including water pollution, elevated Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), unpleasant odors, greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic matter, and inefficient utilization of valuable biomass resources.

 

In recent years, the concept of the circular economy has emerged as a transformative approach to sustainable industrial development. Unlike the conventional linear economic model based on the "take–make–dispose" principle, the circular economy promotes resource efficiency by converting industrial waste into valuable secondary raw materials through reuse, recycling, and value-added processing (Geissdoerfer et al., 2017). Within the agro-industrial sector, this paradigm encourages companies to maximize biomass utilization while minimizing environmental impacts, thereby improving both economic performance and sustainability.

 

One of the most promising examples of circular economy implementation in the pineapple industry is the valorization of pineapple processing residues for the production of bromelain, a commercially valuable proteolytic enzyme. Bromelain is a complex mixture of sulfhydryl-containing proteases naturally present in various parts of the pineapple plant, particularly the stem and fruit core (Pavan et al., 2012). Owing to its remarkable proteolytic activity and broad biological functions, bromelain has attracted considerable attention across multiple industrial sectors, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, textiles, and animal nutrition.

 

Beyond its industrial applications, bromelain exhibits a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, fibrinolytic, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities (Chobotova et al., 2010; Maurer, 2001). Consequently, the global demand for high-purity bromelain has steadily increased, driven by the expanding markets for functional foods, nutraceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and enzyme-based bioprocesses.

 

Recognizing the substantial economic potential of pineapple biomass, PT Great Giant Pineapple collaborated with Enzybel International S.A. to establish PT Bromelain Enzyme, a joint venture dedicated to the industrial extraction and commercialization of bromelain derived from pineapple core waste. This initiative represents a successful transformation of agricultural residues into high-value biochemical products, demonstrating how industrial waste can become an important source of revenue while simultaneously reducing environmental burdens. The integration of bromelain production into the existing pineapple processing chain also exemplifies the principles of industrial symbiosis, in which the waste stream from one production process serves as the raw material for another, thereby increasing overall resource efficiency.

 

Furthermore, bromelain extraction generates secondary residues that remain rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose, and other bioactive compounds. These residual materials provide additional opportunities for downstream valorization, including the production of animal feed additives, resistant dextrin as a functional prebiotic, biodegradable bioplastics, organic fertilizers, and renewable bioenergy through anaerobic digestion. Such integrated biomass utilization further strengthens the sustainability of pineapple agro-industrial systems and supports the transition toward a zero-waste production model.

 

This article aims to comprehensively review the development of bromelain extraction from pineapple core waste at PT Great Giant Pineapple, Lampung, Indonesia. Specifically, it discusses the characteristics of pineapple biomass as a bromelain source, industrial extraction and purification technologies, downstream product diversification, and the implementation of circular economy principles within an integrated tropical agro-industrial system. Furthermore, the article highlights future technological challenges and opportunities for enhancing bromelain production to strengthen Indonesia's competitiveness in the global enzyme, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

2.1 Study Design

 

This study employed a qualitative case study combined with a comprehensive literature review to examine the industrial development of bromelain extraction from pineapple core waste at PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), Lampung, Indonesia. The case study approach was selected to provide an in-depth understanding of the integration between industrial pineapple processing, bromelain production, and circular economy implementation within one of the world's largest integrated pineapple agro-industrial systems. The literature review complemented the case study by synthesizing scientific evidence on bromelain extraction technologies, biomass valorization, and downstream utilization of pineapple processing residues.

 

2.2 Data Sources

 

The analysis was based exclusively on secondary data collected from various credible sources, including:

• Peer-reviewed international journal articles concerning bromelain characteristics, extraction technologies, purification methods, and industrial applications;
• Sustainability reports, corporate publications, and publicly available information from PT Great Giant Foods (GGF) and PT Bromelain Enzyme;
• Scientific publications addressing pineapple biomass utilization, agro-industrial waste management, and circular economy practices;
• Academic theses, dissertations, and university research reports related to bromelain production and the valorization of extraction residues into high-value products;
• Books, review articles, and industrial reports discussing enzyme biotechnology, biomass processing, and sustainable agro-industrial development.

Only publications directly relevant to bromelain production, pineapple biomass utilization, and circular bioeconomy concepts were included in the analysis.

 

2.3 Literature Selection Criteria

 

The literature was selected based on the following criteria:

 

Inclusion criteria:

• Publications focusing on bromelain extraction, purification, characterization, and industrial applications;
• Studies investigating pineapple biomass utilization and waste valorization;
• Research on circular economy implementation in agro-industrial systems;
• Corporate reports describing sustainability initiatives and biomass management practices;
• Publications written in English or Indonesian.

 

Exclusion criteria:

• Publications lacking scientific credibility or sufficient methodological information;
• Studies unrelated to pineapple biomass or bromelain production;
• Duplicate publications reporting identical findings.

 

2.4 Data Analysis

 

A descriptive qualitative analysis was conducted to synthesize information obtained from the selected literature. The analytical framework consisted of five sequential stages:

1. Identification of pineapple biomass resources, with particular emphasis on pineapple cores as the principal source of bromelain enzyme;
2. Evaluation of bromelain characteristics, including its biochemical properties, biological activities, and industrial significance;
3. Assessment of industrial-scale bromelain extraction technologies, covering raw material preparation, extraction, clarification, purification, and drying processes;
4. Analysis of circular economy implementation, focusing on the integration of bromelain production within PT GGP's waste management system and the application of industrial symbiosis principles;
5. Identification of downstream product diversification opportunities, including the utilization of bromelain extraction residues for animal feed, resistant dextrin, biodegradable bioplastics, organic fertilizers, and renewable bioenergy.

 

2.5 Conceptual Framework

 

The study adopted a circular bioeconomy perspective, in which agricultural biomass waste is regarded as a valuable renewable resource rather than a disposal problem. The conceptual framework emphasizes the transformation of pineapple processing residues into high-value bioproducts through integrated resource utilization, thereby supporting sustainable production systems, minimizing environmental impacts, and enhancing economic value creation.

 

The framework further integrates the principles of industrial symbiosis, where by-products generated from one industrial process become feedstock for another production process, contributing to resource efficiency, waste minimization, and long-term sustainability within the pineapple agro-industry.

 

2.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study

 

This study focuses specifically on the industrial development of bromelain extraction from pineapple core waste at PT Great Giant Pineapple and its contribution to sustainable agro-industrial development. The discussion covers biomass characteristics, industrial processing technologies, circular economy implementation, and downstream product diversification.

 

The study is based entirely on secondary data derived from published literature and corporate reports. Consequently, it does not include primary experimental investigations, laboratory analyses, or quantitative economic evaluations. Nevertheless, the synthesized information provides a comprehensive overview of current technological developments and future opportunities for bromelain production within the framework of sustainable tropical agro-industry.

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 

3.1 Potential of Pineapple Core Waste as a Source of Bromelain

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is widely recognized not only as an economically important tropical fruit crop but also as a rich natural source of proteolytic enzymes collectively known as bromelain. Bromelain was first isolated in the late nineteenth century and has since become one of the most commercially important plant-derived proteases owing to its broad industrial applications and diverse biological activities (Maurer, 2001).

 

Unlike many other commercial proteases that are produced through microbial fermentation, bromelain can be directly extracted from various anatomical parts of the pineapple plant. These include:

• the stem (stem bromelain),
• the fruit core (fruit or core bromelain),
• the peel,
• the crown, and
• the fruit pulp.

 

Among these tissues, the stem and fruit core contain relatively high concentrations of active bromelain and have therefore become the primary raw materials for industrial bromelain production (Ketnawa et al., 2012). In conventional pineapple processing industries, however, these tissues are generally discarded as processing waste despite their considerable biochemical value.

 

From a biochemical perspective, bromelain belongs to the cysteine protease family and possesses an active sulfhydryl (-SH) group responsible for its proteolytic activity. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins, producing smaller peptides and free amino acids (Pavan et al., 2012). This catalytic property has led to extensive utilization of bromelain in food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, cosmetics, and agricultural industries.

 

In addition to its proteolytic function, bromelain exhibits a wide range of biological activities that have attracted increasing scientific attention over the past two decades. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that bromelain possesses:

• anti-inflammatory activity,
• anti-edematous effects,
• immunomodulatory properties,
• antithrombotic activity,
• fibrinolytic effects,
• antimicrobial activity,
• antioxidant capacity, and
• potential anticancer properties (Chobotova et al., 2010).

These multifunctional biological characteristics have substantially increased global demand for bromelain in pharmaceutical formulations, functional foods, nutraceuticals, and biomedical research.

 

The increasing industrial demand for bromelain has shifted attention toward alternative raw materials capable of providing a sustainable and economically viable enzyme supply. Pineapple processing residues, particularly fruit cores, represent an ideal feedstock because they are generated continuously in large quantities throughout industrial operations. Consequently, pineapple waste should no longer be regarded merely as an environmental burden but rather as an important renewable biological resource with significant commercial potential.

 

Within the context of PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), one of the world's largest integrated pineapple processing companies, pineapple core waste is generated in substantial volumes throughout the year due to continuous industrial processing. The constant availability of this biomass provides a reliable and uninterrupted supply of raw material for bromelain production, thereby overcoming one of the major challenges commonly faced by enzyme manufacturers—namely, seasonal fluctuations in raw material availability.

 

Moreover, utilizing pineapple core waste contributes directly to environmental sustainability by reducing the volume of organic waste requiring disposal. Instead of becoming a source of environmental pollution through uncontrolled decomposition, the biomass is transformed into a high-value industrial product. This conversion exemplifies the principle of biomass valorization, whereby agricultural residues are upgraded into commercially valuable products while simultaneously minimizing waste generation.

 

The valorization of pineapple core biomass therefore offers multiple advantages. Economically, it creates additional revenue streams from materials previously considered waste. Environmentally, it reduces organic waste accumulation, lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with biomass decomposition, and improves overall resource-use efficiency. Socially, it supports sustainable industrial development by creating new employment opportunities and promoting innovation in the bioeconomy sector.

 

Consequently, pineapple core waste represents not only an abundant source of bromelain but also a strategic renewable resource that supports sustainable industrial development, resource efficiency, and circular bioeconomy implementation within the pineapple processing industry.

 

3.2 Development of the Bromelain Industry at PT Great Giant Pineapple

 

PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), located in Central Lampung, Indonesia, operates one of the largest integrated pineapple agro-industrial systems in Southeast Asia. The company combines large-scale pineapple cultivation, industrial processing, and downstream product manufacturing within a single production network, thereby ensuring a continuous supply of raw materials and efficient resource utilization.

 

The industrial processing of fresh pineapple generates substantial quantities of by-products, including peels, crowns, pomace, and fruit cores. Among these, pineapple cores constitute one of the most valuable processing residues because they contain relatively high concentrations of bromelain while remaining largely underutilized in conventional fruit-processing industries.

 

Recognizing this untapped potential, PT GGP established a strategic partnership with Enzybel International S.A., a leading global bromelain producer, to create PT Bromelain Enzyme, a joint venture dedicated to the industrial extraction and commercialization of bromelain derived from pineapple core waste. This collaboration represents a significant technological advancement in Indonesia's agro-industrial sector by transforming agricultural by-products into internationally competitive biochemical products.

 

The establishment of PT Bromelain Enzyme demonstrates how industrial innovation can simultaneously generate economic value and address environmental challenges. Instead of disposing of pineapple cores as organic waste, PT GGP incorporates them into an integrated production chain where biomass residues serve as valuable industrial feedstocks.

 

This production model reflects the concept of industrial symbiosis, in which the waste stream generated by one industrial activity becomes the raw material for another manufacturing process (Geissdoerfer et al., 2017). Such integration substantially improves resource efficiency while reducing production costs and environmental impacts.

 

Another major competitive advantage of PT GGP lies in the continuity of its raw material supply. Unlike many bromelain manufacturers that rely on seasonal agricultural production, PT GGP benefits from year-round pineapple processing operations. Consequently, bromelain production can be maintained consistently throughout the year, ensuring stable enzyme quality, uninterrupted production schedules, and reliable fulfillment of global market demand.

 

Furthermore, the integrated agro-industrial system enables efficient logistics because pineapple cores are transported directly from the processing facility to the bromelain extraction plant without prolonged storage. This minimizes enzymatic degradation, preserves bromelain activity, and improves extraction efficiency.

 

Beyond enzyme production, the integration of bromelain extraction into PT GGP's processing chain creates additional opportunities for comprehensive biomass utilization. Extraction residues retain considerable amounts of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, cellulose, hemicellulose, and other organic compounds that can be further processed into animal feed ingredients, resistant dextrin, biodegradable bioplastics, organic fertilizers, and renewable bioenergy.

 

Accordingly, the industrial development of bromelain at PT GGP represents more than a successful enzyme production enterprise; it serves as an exemplary model of sustainable agro-industrial transformation based on circular bioeconomy principles. By maximizing the value of pineapple biomass while minimizing waste generation, PT GGP demonstrates how industrial innovation can simultaneously enhance economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and resource efficiency in tropical agricultural industries.

 

3.3 Industrial-Scale Bromelain Extraction Technology

 

The industrial production of bromelain involves a sequence of carefully controlled unit operations designed to maximize enzyme recovery while preserving its biological activity. Since bromelain is a heat-sensitive cysteine protease, each processing step—from raw material handling to final drying—must be optimized to minimize enzyme denaturation and maintain product quality. Industrial-scale bromelain manufacturing generally consists of five major stages: raw material preparation, extraction, clarification and centrifugation, purification, and drying. Advances in downstream processing technologies have significantly improved extraction efficiency, enzyme purity, and production sustainability, enabling bromelain to meet the stringent quality requirements of food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.

 

3.3.1 Raw Material Preparation

 

The production process begins with the collection of fresh pineapple cores generated as by-products from pineapple canning and processing operations. At PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), the continuous processing of fresh pineapples provides a stable year-round supply of pineapple cores, ensuring consistent availability of raw materials for bromelain extraction.

 

Immediately after separation from the fruit, pineapple cores are transported to the extraction facility under hygienic conditions to minimize microbial contamination and enzymatic degradation. Fresh biomass is preferred because prolonged storage can significantly reduce bromelain activity due to endogenous proteolysis and oxidative deterioration.

 

The collected pineapple cores are thoroughly washed with clean water to remove adhering soil particles, fruit debris, and other physical contaminants. This cleaning step is essential for maintaining product quality and preventing contamination during subsequent extraction processes.

 

Following washing, the pineapple cores undergo a series of mechanical size-reduction processes, including:

• chopping,
• crushing, and
• homogenization.

 

These operations disrupt the plant cell walls and intracellular structures, facilitating the release of bromelain localized within the vacuoles and cytoplasm into the extraction medium. Efficient tissue disruption substantially increases enzyme recovery by maximizing contact between intracellular proteins and the extraction solvent.

 

Industrial homogenizers equipped with stainless-steel blades are commonly employed to produce a uniform slurry with consistent particle size. Uniform homogenization improves extraction efficiency by increasing the surface area available for mass transfer while reducing variability in enzyme yield.

 

Throughout raw material preparation, temperature control remains critical. Processing is typically performed under chilled conditions or at low ambient temperatures to prevent thermal inactivation of bromelain. In some industrial facilities, crushed pineapple biomass is maintained below 10°C before extraction to preserve enzymatic activity and reduce microbial proliferation.

 

3.3.2 Extraction Process

 

Following homogenization, bromelain is extracted from pineapple biomass using aqueous extraction systems. Water and phosphate buffer solutions (pH 6.0–7.0) are the most commonly employed extraction media because they effectively solubilize bromelain while maintaining enzyme stability.

 

The extraction process is generally conducted under refrigerated conditions to minimize enzyme denaturation. Bromelain exhibits optimum catalytic activity at temperatures ranging from approximately 40 to 60°C, whereas exposure to temperatures above 70°C can rapidly denature the protein and result in irreversible loss of enzymatic activity (Arshad et al., 2014). Consequently, industrial extraction is normally performed at temperatures below room temperature.

 

The homogenized pineapple slurry is mixed continuously with the extraction medium using mechanical agitators to facilitate mass transfer between plant tissues and the surrounding liquid. Mixing parameters—including agitation speed, extraction time, pH, and solvent-to-solid ratio—are optimized to maximize bromelain recovery while minimizing protein degradation.

 

The efficiency of bromelain extraction depends on several factors, including:

• raw material freshness,
• particle size,
• extraction temperature,
• extraction pH,
• extraction duration,
• solvent composition, and
• enzyme stability.

 

Recent studies have also investigated environmentally friendly extraction technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and aqueous two-phase systems, which have demonstrated improved extraction efficiency while reducing solvent consumption and processing time.

 

3.3.3 Clarification and Centrifugation

 

Following extraction, the crude bromelain solution contains not only soluble enzymes but also suspended plant fibers, starch granules, cell wall fragments, pigments, and other insoluble materials. These impurities must be removed before downstream purification.

 

The first clarification step typically involves coarse filtration through stainless-steel screens or filter cloths to remove large particulate matter. The filtered extract is subsequently subjected to high-speed centrifugation to separate insoluble solids from the enzyme-rich liquid fraction.

 

Industrial centrifugation generally operates at several thousand revolutions per minute, producing two distinct phases:

• a clear supernatant rich in soluble bromelain, and
• a solid residue consisting primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and fibrous biomass.

 

The bromelain-rich supernatant proceeds to purification, whereas the solid residue retains considerable value as a secondary biomass resource. Rather than being discarded, these residues can be further processed into animal feed ingredients, compost, biofertilizers, bioplastics, or renewable bioenergy, thereby supporting circular bioeconomy practices.

 

Effective clarification is essential because residual suspended solids may interfere with membrane filtration, chromatography, and subsequent purification processes. Therefore, optimizing centrifugation conditions significantly improves downstream processing efficiency and overall enzyme quality.

 

3.3.4 Purification

 

Purification represents one of the most critical stages in bromelain production because the commercial value of the enzyme depends largely on its purity, specific activity, and stability.

Several purification strategies have been developed for industrial bromelain production, including:

• ammonium sulfate precipitation,
• membrane ultrafiltration,
• aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPS),
• ion-exchange chromatography,
• gel filtration chromatography, and
• affinity chromatography.

 

Among these techniques, ammonium sulfate precipitation remains one of the most widely used primary purification methods because of its simplicity, relatively low cost, and ability to concentrate bromelain while preserving enzymatic activity.

 

For higher-value pharmaceutical applications, chromatographic methods are frequently employed to achieve greater enzyme purity. Ion-exchange chromatography separates bromelain based on differences in molecular charge, whereas gel filtration chromatography separates proteins according to molecular size.

 

In recent years, membrane-based purification technologies have gained increasing attention due to their environmental advantages. Ultrafiltration membranes enable efficient concentration and purification of bromelain without requiring large quantities of chemical reagents. Moreover, membrane processes generally consume less energy and generate fewer chemical wastes than conventional precipitation techniques, making them more consistent with green manufacturing principles (Hebbar et al., 2008).

 

Aqueous two-phase extraction has also emerged as a promising purification technology because it combines extraction and purification into a single operation. This approach offers several advantages, including higher enzyme recovery, shorter processing time, lower solvent consumption, and improved preservation of biological activity.

 

The selection of purification technology ultimately depends on the intended application of bromelain. Food-grade bromelain generally requires moderate purification, whereas pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications demand highly purified preparations with high specific enzymatic activity and stringent quality control.

 

3.3.5 Drying

 

Following purification, the bromelain solution is converted into a stable dry product to facilitate storage, transportation, and commercial distribution. Because bromelain is highly sensitive to heat and moisture, the drying process must preserve its structural integrity and enzymatic activity.

Two drying technologies are predominantly employed in industrial bromelain production:

• freeze-drying (lyophilization), and
• spray drying.

 

Freeze-drying is generally regarded as the preferred method for producing pharmaceutical-grade bromelain because it removes water through sublimation under low temperature and vacuum conditions. This gentle dehydration process minimizes protein denaturation and preserves enzymatic activity, resulting in a highly stable product with extended shelf life.

 

Despite its superior product quality, freeze-drying requires substantial capital investment, prolonged processing time, and relatively high operating costs. Consequently, its application is generally limited to high-value pharmaceutical and biotechnology products.

 

In contrast, spray drying offers a faster and more economical alternative suitable for large-scale industrial production. During spray drying, purified bromelain solution is atomized into fine droplets that are rapidly dried by hot air, producing a free-flowing powder. Although this technique is more cost-effective, elevated drying temperatures may partially reduce enzyme activity if operating conditions are not carefully optimized.

 

Recent technological developments have focused on improving enzyme stability during drying through the incorporation of protective carriers such as maltodextrin, trehalose, dextran, and various encapsulating agents. These stabilizers reduce thermal stress, minimize protein aggregation, and enhance the storage stability of dried bromelain preparations.

 

Ultimately, the choice between freeze-drying and spray drying depends on the intended commercial application, required enzyme activity, production scale, and economic considerations. High-purity pharmaceutical bromelain generally favors lyophilization, whereas food-grade and industrial bromelain are more commonly produced using optimized spray-drying technologies to balance product quality with manufacturing efficiency.

 

4. CONCLUSION

 

The industrial development of bromelain extraction from pineapple core waste at PT Great Giant Pineapple (PT GGP), Lampung, Indonesia, represents an outstanding example of how circular economy principles can be successfully implemented within the tropical agro-industrial sector. By transforming pineapple processing residues into high-value bromelain enzyme, PT GGP has demonstrated that agricultural waste can be converted into an economically valuable bioproduct while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts associated with organic waste disposal.

 

The study highlights that pineapple cores constitute an abundant and sustainable source of bromelain due to their relatively high enzyme content and continuous availability throughout industrial pineapple processing. The integration of bromelain production into PT GGP's existing processing system ensures a stable supply of raw materials, improves resource utilization efficiency, and creates additional economic value from materials that were previously regarded as industrial waste.

 

Industrial-scale bromelain production involves a sequence of optimized processing steps, including raw material preparation, aqueous extraction, clarification and centrifugation, purification, and drying. Each stage plays a critical role in preserving enzyme activity and determining the quality of the final product. Recent advances in membrane separation, aqueous two-phase extraction, chromatographic purification, and enzyme stabilization technologies have further enhanced production efficiency while supporting environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices.

 

Beyond bromelain production, the remaining extraction residues retain considerable economic potential. Their utilization for manufacturing animal feed ingredients, resistant dextrin, biodegradable bioplastics, organic fertilizers, and renewable bioenergy exemplifies an integrated biomass valorization strategy that maximizes resource efficiency and supports zero-waste industrial systems. Such an approach strengthens the implementation of industrial symbiosis and reinforces the transition toward a sustainable circular bioeconomy.

 

The business model adopted by PT GGP and PT Bromelain Enzyme illustrates how technological innovation, integrated biomass management, and sustainable resource utilization can simultaneously improve industrial competitiveness and environmental performance. This integrated production system may serve as a valuable reference for other tropical agro-industries seeking to enhance sustainability through waste valorization and high-value bioproduct development.

 

Looking forward, further improvements in environmentally friendly extraction technologies, high-efficiency purification systems, nanoencapsulation, enzyme stabilization, and artificial intelligence-assisted process optimization are expected to further increase bromelain quality, production efficiency, and market competitiveness. These technological advancements will play an increasingly important role in expanding Indonesia's participation in the global enzyme, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and functional food industries while contributing to the achievement of sustainable industrial development goals.

 

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Chobotova, K., Vernallis, A. B., & Majid, F. A. A. (2010). Bromelain's activity and potential as an anti-cancer agent: Current evidence and perspectives. Cancer Letters, 290(2), 148–156.

 

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