Enzymes

What manufacturers buy here

This category covers enzymes bought as food-supplement ingredients. Formulators usually group them by enzyme class and source.

• Plant proteases: bromelain comes from the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). Papain comes from the latex of papaya (Carica papaya). Both are cysteine proteases, so they share most handling and compatibility points.
• Other enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyses the dismutation of the superoxide radical. Its biological source varies by preparation, and the specification sheet states it.

Superoxide dismutase has no ingredient page yet. SoleChem supplies it alongside the two proteases, so include it in the quote form with the activity you need.

Choosing within the category

Activity, not mass. Enzymes are specified by activity per gram, measured by a named assay method. Compare two offers only when both the unit and the method match. The specification sheet and certificate of analysis state both.

Stability. Enzymes are proteins. Heat, moisture and pH extremes during granulation, drying or storage can reduce activity. Plan for activity loss over shelf life with the overage calculator.

Compatibility. Proteases hydrolyse other proteins, including gelatin. For protease fills, many manufacturers choose HPMC capsules and check shell integrity in stability trials. The capsules guide covers fill and shell choices.

Carriers and handling. Commercial enzyme preparations often contain carriers or diluents to standardise activity. The specification lists them, and they can affect your ingredients list. Protease powders are respiratory sensitisers, so follow the dust controls in the safety data sheet.

Regulatory notes

Bromelain, papain and superoxide dismutase are not vitamins or minerals, so Annexes I and II of Directive 2002/46/EC do not list them. That Directive does not harmonise their use in food supplements, so national rules on other substances may apply and can differ by member state. Novel-food status must be checked for each source and production process under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283; see the novel food guide. Any health claim must be authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and appear in the EU Register; the health-claims guide explains how to check.