Where do enzymes come from?

There is a common misconception of where enzymes are derived that we utilize in many of our products. There is a stark difference between where an enzyme was discovered and how its later made. One such enzyme is serrapeptase which was discovered in the silkworm.

The silkworm was being studied to determine how the worm was able to break down the silk cocoon as it enters the world as a moth. It was discovered that the silkworm contained a bacteria (serratia E-15) that excreted an enzyme that breaks down the silk. This enzyme became known as serratiopeptidase, or serrapeptase for short.

In order to produce serrapeptase, the bacteria are cultured and then grown using a complex fermentation process. The silkworm is not utilized during any stage of the manufacturing process. So although the enzyme is referred to as "the silkworm enzyme", it is only in reference to how the enzyme was discovered, not how it is made for use as a nutritional supplement.

Arthur Andrew does not utilize any components or materials that are derived from an animal source. This is the reason why we do not utilize the enzyme lumbrokinase, known as the "earthworm enzyme". Unlike serrapeptase, lumbrokinase actually utilizes worms in its production process. Ignoring the obvious "ewww" aspect of the product, the enzyme does have health benefits for those that can overlook the way in which it is produced. However, Arthur Andrew feels that nattokinase is a superior fibrinolytic enzyme, and based on being derived from a microbial source is an "easier to stomach" enzyme than the lumbrokinase. All Arthur Andrew products are derived from only non-animal sources, including the use of cellulose capsules as to avoid animal gelatin.