Potential of bromelain from Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. as an irrigation material for dental root canals

Nadia Ayesha Salsabila (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Laksmi Aristha Bhanuwati (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Fidela Desfitria Zahra (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Wigya Aulia Nastiti (Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Alma Aura Iryandari (Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Intan Puspita (Department of Prosthodontic, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Juni Handajani (Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

Majalah Kedokteran Gigi Indonesia
Vol 12, No 1 (2026): April

Dental caries remains a significant oral health problem worldwide, with untreated cases potentially causing pulp damage that requires endodontic treatment. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), the most commonly used root canal irrigant, can be toxic to pulp cells. This study evaluated bromelain enzyme from pineapple core (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) as an alternative irrigant with high antibacterial activity and low toxicity. Bromelain concentrations of 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% were tested for their effects on pulp cell viability, confluence, and antibiofilm activity againstEnterococcus faecalis. Results showed that 50% bromelain maintained high pulp cell viability and confluence while inhibiting 70% of E. faecalis biofilm formation (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that bromelain extract from pineapple core has potential as a root canal irrigant, but further in vivo studies and formulation optimization are needed before clinical application.