What Is Nattokinase?

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Nattokinase

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What Is Nattokinase?

Nattokinase is a potent fibrinolytic enzyme extracted from natto, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. It was first discovered in 1987 by Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi at Kurashiki University in Japan, who identified a powerful clot-dissolving enzyme produced by Bacillus subtilis natto during the soybean fermentation process.

The name "nattokinase" combines "natto" (the food source) and "kinase" (an enzyme that acts on a specific substrate). It is a serine protease with a molecular weight of approximately 27,700 daltons and consists of 275 amino acids.

The global nattokinase market is valued at approximately USD 80-120 million (2024) and is growing at 10-13% CAGR, driven by increasing awareness of cardiovascular health, aging populations, and consumer preference for natural alternatives to pharmaceutical blood thinners.

Nattokinase vs. Natto: Understanding the Difference

Production Method: Submerged Fermentation

Industrial Fermentation Process

Unlike plant extracts, nattokinase is produced through microbial fermentation:

Process Flow:

1. Strain selection — Bacillus subtilis natto (strain CK SUMI 3077 or equivalent) is selected and cultured

2. Seed culture preparation — Bacterial strain is grown in a nutrient-rich seed medium at 37°C for 12-24 hours

3. Fermentation — Seed culture is transferred to a larger fermentation tank containing:

• Soybean meal or soy peptone as the primary nitrogen source

• Glucose or starch as the carbon source

• Minerals and trace elements

• Temperature: 35-40°C, pH: 6.5-7.5

4. Fermentation duration — Typically 24-48 hours under controlled aeration and agitation

5. Harvesting — Fermentation broth containing nattokinase is collected

6. Ultrafiltration — Concentrates the enzyme while removing bacterial cells and debris

7. Purification — Ion exchange chromatography or membrane filtration for higher purity

8. Lyophilization (freeze-drying) — Preserves enzymatic activity; spray drying is an alternative

9. Standardization — Adjusted to target FU (Fibrinolytic Units) per gram

10. Quality testing — Fibrinolytic activity assay, microbial testing, purity analysis

Yield: Typical nattokinase activity in fermentation broth is 50,000-200,000 FU/mL before concentration

Key Production Parameters

Standardization: Understanding FU Units

What Is an FU (Fibrinolytic Unit)?

The FU (Fibrinolytic Unit) is the standardized measure of nattokinase enzymatic activity, defined by the Japanese Nattokinase Standardization Committee:

Definition: 1 FU is defined as the amount of enzyme that produces a clear zone of 1 mm diameter on a fibrin plate assay under standardized conditions (37°C, 24 hours).

This is the internationally recognized standard for nattokinase potency measurement.

Common Nattokinase Grades

Quality Specification Sheet (Nattokinase Powder, 40,000 FU/g)

Mechanism of Action

Direct Fibrinolysis

Nattokinase directly degrades fibrin, the protein that forms blood clots:

Fibrin (blood clot)
    │
    ├── Nattokinase directly cleaves fibrin
    │   (fibrinolytic protease activity)
    │
    ├── Nattokinase activates plasminogen → Plasmin
    │   (endogenous fibrinolytic system activation)
    │
    ├── Nattokinase increases t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator)
    │   (enhances body's natural clot-dissolving capacity)
    │
    └── Nattokinase reduces PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor)
        (removes the brake on natural fibrinolysis)

Result: Enhanced fibrinolytic activity → improved blood flow → reduced clot risk

Blood Pressure Modulation

Nattokinase has demonstrated blood pressure-lowering effects:

• ACE inhibition — Mild angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity

• Improved endothelial function — Enhanced nitric oxide production

• Reduced blood viscosity — Improved blood flow characteristics

Additional Cardiovascular Mechanisms

Clinical Evidence Summary

Applications in Product Formulation

Cardiovascular Health Supplements

Combination Synergies

Formulation Considerations

• Enteric coating — Nattokinase is a protein enzyme that may be partially degraded by stomach acid; enteric coating ensures delivery to the small intestine

• Temperature sensitivity — Nattokinase is heat-sensitive; avoid high-temperature processing during manufacturing

• Storage — Store in cool, dry conditions; enzymatic activity degrades over time with heat and humidity

• Shelf life — Typically 24 months when stored properly at room temperature

Sourcing Considerations for B2B Buyers

Key Questions for Suppliers

1. What is the FU activity per gram? — Verify with independent fibrin plate assay

2. Is the fermentation process GMP-certified? — Ensures consistent quality and safety

3. Can you provide batch-to-batch consistency data? — Enzyme activity can vary between batches

4. Is soy allergen content declared? — Important for allergen-free formulations

5. What drying method is used? — Freeze-drying preserves more enzymatic activity than spray drying

6. Is Vitamin K2 present or removed? — Important for customers on blood thinners

Quality Red Flags

• Inconsistent FU values between batches — Indicates poor fermentation control or testing accuracy

• Missing fibrin plate assay data — FU measurement is the only reliable potency indicator

• Unusually high pricing for low FU product — Poor value proposition

• No microbial testing — Fermentation products require thorough microbial screening

• B. subtilis viable count in final product — Should be non-viable in purified nattokinase

Why Choose Greensky Bio as Your Nattokinase Supplier

• GMP-certified production — ISO22000, BRCGS, Ecocert Organic Standard, SGS-GMP certified facilities

• Advanced testing capabilities — Independent laboratory with HPLC, GC, UV, ICP-MS for comprehensive quality control

• 20+ years experience — Established in 2004, with deep expertise in functional ingredient R&D and production

• Global market presence — Export to Europe, the United States, South Korea, and Russia

• Cardiovascular ingredient portfolio — Complementary to our Red Yeast Rice (Monacolin K) product line for comprehensive heart health formulations

GreenSky Bio — Professional Natural Plant Extract and Functional Ingredient Manufacturer Since 2004. For inquiries about nattokinase and other cardiovascular health ingredients, contact our team.

Related Products: Red Yeast Rice (Monacolin K) | Panax Ginseng Extract | Astaxanthin | Green Tea Extract (EGCG)