Alpha-galactosidase
Alpha-galactosidase is an enzyme that splits galactose from sugars such as raffinose and stachyose, found in beans, legumes and some vegetables. Commercial grades are made mostly by fermenting Aspergillus niger, then filtering out the organism and concentrating the enzyme. Brands buy it as a powder standardized to a stated activity for supplements, and in process grades for legume-based foods and beet sugar refining.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Alpha-galactosidase standardized in FCC galactosidase units (GalU) per gram on a carrier for capsules, tablets and chewables.
Liquid or powder used to break down raffinose-family sugars in soy, pea and other legume-based foods.
Combined with other carbohydrases such as invertase or amylase in multi-enzyme products.
Grades from non-genetically modified production strains with matching carrier documentation.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Enzyme powders lose activity with heat and moisture, so keep them sealed in the original lined container in a cool, dry place, and refrigerate liquid preparations if the supplier says to. Shelf life is set by each supplier's specification, usually as a guaranteed minimum activity to a stated date, and older stock is retested for activity before use. Supplier safety data sheets for enzyme powders call for dust control and respiratory protection when weighing and blending.
Record the measured GalU per gram for each lot and dose by activity. Note the production organism, carrier and any allergen in the carrier, and rotate stock first-expired, first-out.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 173.145 permits alpha-galactosidase with the mycelia of Mortierella vinaceae var. raffinoseutilizer only for producing sucrose from sugar beets, with no enzyme residue in the finished sugar.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's GRAS Notice Inventory lists GRN 1120, for alpha-galactosidase produced by Aspergillus niger notified by Novozymes for plant-based yogurt, dairy analogues and meat analogues; FDA had no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Digestive Enzymes natural health product monograph lists alpha-galactosidase with Aspergillus niger as source material.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Thane, India
Indian maker of enzymes and probiotics produced by fermentation, with a human nutrition range of digestive and systemic enzymes plus Saccharomyces boulardii for supplement makers.
Manufacturer · Nagoya, Japan
Japanese enzyme maker founded in 1899 that supplies digestive enzymes for dietary supplements and processing enzymes for food and beverage production.
Manufacturer · Troy, VA
Virginia-based enzyme and Bacillus probiotic company that formulates and blends ingredients for supplement, food and animal nutrition brands. Its news page says it has joined the Lallemand group.
Manufacturer · Scranton, PA
US enzyme supplier founded in 1953 that produces papain at its Scranton, Pennsylvania plant and sells food-grade proteases, carbohydrases and lipases for supplements and food processing.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include supplement grade powder, process grade, enzyme blends and non-GMO grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect alpha-galactosidase activity, production strain, mycotoxins, heavy metals, microbiology and loss on drying, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Enzyme powders lose activity with heat and moisture, so keep them sealed in the original lined container in a cool, dry place, and refrigerate liquid preparations if the supplier says to. Shelf life is set by each supplier's specification, usually as a guaranteed minimum activity to a stated date, and older stock is retested for activity before use. Supplier safety data sheets for enzyme powders call for dust control and respiratory protection when weighing and blending.
21 CFR 173.145 permits alpha-galactosidase with the mycelia of Mortierella vinaceae var. raffinoseutilizer only for producing sucrose from sugar beets, with no enzyme residue in the finished sugar. FDA's GRAS Notice Inventory lists GRN 1120, for alpha-galactosidase produced by Aspergillus niger notified by Novozymes for plant-based yogurt, dairy analogues and meat analogues; FDA had no questions. Health Canada's Digestive Enzymes natural health product monograph lists alpha-galactosidase with Aspergillus niger as source material.
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