From: "Jeff Shimonski"

Perhaps the "purpose" is insecticidal. Ananas comosus wasn't always seedless
and the enzyme might have functioned as a toxin or repellant to insect larvae
that
could have damaged the fruit before the seeds could be dispersed.

This also is a reasonable theory. It can easily be tested by examining wild
species of Ananas for fruit predation by insects through various stages of
developement.

Sean



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