Enzymes are molecules of a protein and structural nature which catalyse chemical reactions if they are thermodynamically possible: an enzyme makes a chemical reaction that is energetically possible (see Gibbs Free Energy) but that proceeds at a very low speed become kinetically favourable, i.e., making it proceed faster than in the absence of the enzyme.

In these reactions, enzymes act on molecules called substrates, which are converted into different molecules called products. Almost all processes in cells need enzymes to occur at significant rates. Enzyme-mediated reactions are called enzymatic reactions.

Since enzymes are highly selective for their substrates and their speed increases in only some reactions, the set of synthesized enzymes in a cell determines the type of metabolism each cell will have. In turn, this synthesis depends on the regulation of gene expression.

Like all catalysts, enzymes work by decreasing the activation energy (ΔG ‡) for a reaction so that the reaction rate is substantially accelerated. Enzymes do not alter the energy balance of the reactions in which they are involved consequently they do not modify the balance of the reaction but manage to speed up the process even millions of times. A reaction controlled by of an enzyme or any catalyst reaches equilibrium much faster than the corresponding uncatalysed reaction

As with other catalysts, enzymes are not consumed by the reactions they catalyse, nor do they alter their chemical balance. However, they differ from other catalysts for they are more specific. Enzymes catalyse about 4,000 different biochemical reactions. Not all proteins are biochemical catalysts for some RNA molecules are capable of catalysing reactions (such as the 16S ribosomes subunit in which peptidyl transferase activity resides). It is also worth naming the synthetic molecules called artificial enzymes capable of catalysing chemical reactions as classical enzymes.

Enzymatic activity can be affected by other molecules. Enzymatic inhibitors are molecules that decrease enzymatic activity, while activators are molecules that increase this activity. Moreover, many enzymes require cofactors to work. Many drugs are molecule inhibitors. Similarly, the activity is affected by temperature, pH, the concentration of the enzyme itself and that of the substrate, and by other physicochemical factors.

Some enzymes are commercially used, for example, in the synthesis of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals, such as Brix 3000 and other innovative and revolutionary products that Brix Medical Science is developing to launch shortly.

Since the chemo-mechanical caries removal method was introduced in 1975, numerous studies have been conducted to perfect this technique. The difficulties of using old systems required the acquisition of specific tools, which increased their market value preventing their applications in a massive scale, making chemo- mechanical caries removal into a privilege for the few.

In an attempt to globalize the use of this technique by promoting its use mainly in the field of public health, in mid-2002 several research works and trials began using -as active ingredient- an enzyme extracted from papaya peel: papain.

Papain is an endo-protein similar to human pepsin, which is a bactericidal, bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory agent. Papain comes from the leaves and fruit of mature green papaya, Carica papaya, grown in tropical countries such as Brazil, India, Ceylon, South Africa and Hawaii.

In comparison to other natural enzymes, papain has some advantages such as enzymatic activity and quality; stability in adverse conditions of temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure; it is found in high concentrations in the latex extracted from the peel of papaya, and has a high commercial value due to the diversity of possible uses.

Papain acts only in the lesioned tissue because of the absence of a plasma antiprotease, the α1-anti-trypsin, which prevents its proteolytic action in tissues considered normal. The α1-anti-trypsin inhibits protein digestion. When applied, papain will contribute to the degradation and elimination of the fibrin “mantle” formed by the carious process.

Having achieved an exclusive E.B.E. (Encapsulating Buffer Emulsion) technology worldwide, Brix Medical Science has succeeded in creating and developing a unique product in the world. Being bio-encapsulated, papain enzyme has highly positive effects and results never seen before x and / or chemical-mechanical removal techniques.