Enzyme ingredients, and why activity is everything
Enzymes are functional proteins that catalyse specific biochemical reactions. In the supplement industry, they are used most widely in digestive-support products — breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats — and in a range of specialty applications from sports recovery to systemic enzyme support.
Enzyme procurement works differently from most ingredients, and the difference is fundamental: enzymes are bought and dosed by activity, not by weight. A kilogram of enzyme powder is not a meaningful specification on its own — what matters is how much catalytic activity that kilogram delivers.
Each enzyme type has its own activity unit. Proteolytic enzymes may be measured in GDU, FCC PU, or HUT. Amylase in DU, lipase in FIP or LU. The activity figure on the Certificate of Analysis is what determines your formulation dose and your label claim — two enzyme powders of the same weight can carry very different activity, and therefore very different value.
Ingredientz supplies activity-standardised enzymes — single enzymes and custom multi-enzyme blends — with the activity assay stated on every batch. Whatever the enzyme, you are buying a specified, repeatable activity level, not an unspecified powder.
The enzymes we supply
Our enzyme range spans proteases, carbohydrases, lipases, and pancreatic and specialty enzymes — supplied as single enzymes to a target activity grade, or as custom multi-enzyme blends. Selected enzymes are available standardised to defined activity units. If an enzyme you need is not listed, ask — our sourcing network covers a wider range.
- Bromelain (incl. eq. to 225 FIP units)
- Papain (incl. eq. to 164 FIP units)
- Acid protease
- Alkaline protease
- Bacterial protease
- Pepsin
- Trypsin (incl. eq. to 720 FIP units), crystallized trypsin
- Chymotrypsin (incl. eq. to 300 FIP units)
- Trypsin + chymotrypsin
- Alpha amylase, amylase
- Glucoamylase
- Alpha-galactosidase (800 GaLU, A. niger)
- Lactase
- Invertase
- Cellulase, neutral cellulase
- Hemicellulase
- Beta glucanase
- Xylanase
- Mannanase
- Pectinase
- Phytase (incl. powder)
- Lipase
- Phospholipase
- Glucose oxidase
- Pancreatin (incl. eq. to 164 & 300 unit grades)
- Pancreatin pellets
- Pancreatin 4:1 extract
- Pancreatin — amylase, lipase & protease activity
- Custom digestive enzyme blends to buyer profile
Beyond enzymes, Ingredientz also supplies probiotic strains, prebiotic fibres, and a broad range of nutraceutical ingredients. Ask our sourcing team for the full catalog.
Single enzymes or custom blends
Enzyme buyers fall into two groups. Understanding which you are shapes how you should specify and order.
Single enzymes
Individual enzymes supplied to a target activity grade. The right choice when you formulate in-house and want full control over your blend.
- You have an in-house formulation team
- You blend to your own proprietary profile
- You need a specific enzyme as a standalone product
- You want to control activity ratios precisely
Custom enzyme blends
Multi-enzyme complexes formulated to a target activity profile, supplied as a single ready-to-fill ingredient. The right choice when you want one SKU, not several.
- You want a finished digestive complex as one ingredient
- You prefer to specify an outcome, not formulate it
- You want to simplify procurement to a single SKU
- You need a consistent, repeatable blend across runs
Both single enzymes and blends are supplied with a full activity assay on the Certificate of Analysis. A custom blend is specified by its target activity profile, agreed before the first order.
Where enzymes earn their place in a formulation
Enzymes are among the most functional ingredient categories in the supplement industry — their role is mechanical and specific, which makes them a clear, claim-friendly addition to a formulation.
- Digestive enzyme capsules and tablets
- Meal-time digestive complexes
- Lactose-intolerance support products
- Gut-health formulations
- Protein-digestion support for high-protein diets
- Recovery and systemic enzyme formulations
- Performance and training-support blends
- Systemic enzyme products
- Joint and mobility formulations
- Specialty protease applications
- Enzyme-fortified functional foods
- Digestive wellness powders
- Protein-product digestive aids
Activity, stability — the real procurement risk with enzymes
Enzymes carry a procurement risk most other ingredients do not: they lose activity over time and under poor handling. An enzyme is a functional protein, and heat, humidity, and time all degrade it. A batch that tests at full activity on dispatch can arrive lower if it was shipped or stored badly.
For a supplement brand, this matters at two points — at incoming inspection, and across shelf life. If activity drifts, your finished product underdelivers against its label claim. Enzyme procurement is therefore as much about handling and overage strategy as it is about price.
- Every batch is assayed for activity before release, stated on the CoA
- Enzymes are packaged in sealed, moisture-protective packaging
- Cold-chain handling is available and recommended for high-activity grades
- We advise on formulation overage so your product holds its claim across shelf life
- Stability and shelf-life data can be provided to support your specification
- Third-party activity retesting can be arranged at the buyer's lab of choice
This is the difference between buying enzyme powder and buying a specified, stable activity level you can build a reliable product around.
Certifications, dossiers, and what we provide
Enzymes used in dietary supplements are well-established ingredients in most major markets, though regulatory treatment and permitted source organisms vary by region. Some markets specify which enzyme sources are approved for food and supplement use.
- cGMP-compliant processing
- ISO 22000 food safety management
- Halal and Kosher certification
- HACCP documentation
- Activity assay reports per batch
- Activity verification (third-party assayed)
- Source-organism documentation
- Heavy metal and microbiological reports
- Allergen statements (relevant for plant-derived enzymes)
- Stability and shelf-life data
- Country-specific compliance documentation for export
We recommend buyers confirm enzyme regulatory status and approved source organisms in their specific market before finalising specification. We support with documentation but cannot advise on market-specific claim language.
Every batch ships with full CoA
Each shipment from Ingredientz is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis covering:
- Enzyme activity (assay, in the relevant activity unit)
- Heavy metals — lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium
- Microbiological profile — total plate count, yeast & mould, coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella
- Moisture and appearance
- Particle size and bulk density
- Source-organism identity
CoA samples can be reviewed before order placement. Independent third-party activity retesting can be arranged at the buyer's lab of choice on request.
Packaging, lead times, and shipping
Standard packaging: Sealed, moisture-protective multi-layer bags inside fibre drums, sized to order. Enzyme packaging prioritises moisture protection because humidity degrades activity.
Lead time: 3–5 weeks from PO confirmation for standard enzymes. Custom blends formulated to a new activity profile may extend to 6–8 weeks for first orders.
- European Union: 22–28 days door-to-door (ocean freight)
- North America: 18–25 days door-to-door (ocean freight)
- Cold-chain and air freight available for high-activity grades and time-critical orders
Incoterms: EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP available. We handle export documentation, certificates of origin, and destination-specific compliance paperwork.
Sample quantities (250g – 1kg) are available for new buyers and ship within 5 business days.
FAQ for procurement teams
Do you supply single enzymes or enzyme blends?
Both. We supply single enzymes such as bromelain, papain, protease, amylase, lipase, and lactase, as well as multi-enzyme digestive blends formulated to a target activity profile.
How are enzymes standardised and measured?
Enzymes are standardised by activity, not by weight. Each enzyme uses its own activity unit — for example GDU or FCC PU for proteolytic enzymes. The activity level on the Certificate of Analysis is the basis for your formulation dosing and label claim.
What enzymes do you supply?
Our range includes proteases (bromelain, papain, acid and alkaline protease, bacterial protease, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin), carbohydrases (alpha amylase, glucoamylase, alpha-galactosidase, lactase, invertase, cellulase, hemicellulase, beta glucanase, xylanase, mannanase, pectinase, phytase), lipase, phospholipase, glucose oxidase, and pancreatin in several grades — plus custom multi-enzyme digestive blends. If an enzyme you need is not listed, ask.
Can you formulate a custom digestive enzyme blend?
Yes. We supply custom multi-enzyme blends formulated to a buyer-specified activity profile, covering protease, amylase, lipase, lactase, and other enzyme combinations. The target profile is agreed before the first order.
What's your minimum order quantity?
MOQ is typically 25 kg per enzyme specification. Sample quantities (250g – 1kg) are available for evaluation. Custom blends may carry a higher MOQ.
How should enzymes be stored?
Enzymes are sensitive to heat and humidity. They should be stored cool and dry in sealed packaging. Activity declines faster under poor storage conditions, so cold-chain handling is recommended for higher-activity grades.
Why does enzyme activity matter more than weight?
An enzyme's value is its catalytic activity, not its mass. Two enzyme powders of equal weight can carry very different activity, and therefore deliver very different performance and value. Always specify and compare enzymes by activity unit.
Do you advise on formulation overage?
Yes. Because enzymes lose some activity over shelf life, formulators typically build in an overage so the finished product holds its label claim to end of life. We can advise on overage strategy based on the enzyme and your shelf-life target.
Where are your enzymes sourced?
Our enzymes are sourced and processed in India under cGMP conditions, covering both plant-derived enzymes (such as bromelain and papain) and fermentation-derived enzymes.
What documentation comes with each shipment?
Certificate of Analysis with activity assay, Certificate of Origin, allergen statement, MSDS, microbiological and heavy-metal reports, Halal and Kosher certification where requested, packing list, and commercial invoice.
How do I get a sample?
Submit a request through the enquiry form or email sales@ingredientz.co. Samples (250g – 1kg) ship within 5 business days. Sample fees may apply for new accounts and are refundable against a first order.