Catalase
Catalase suppliers and sourcing guide
Catalase is an enzyme that breaks hydrogen peroxide down into water and oxygen. Food-grade catalase comes from fermentation of Aspergillus niger or Micrococcus bacteria, or from extracts of bovine liver. It is used to remove residual hydrogen peroxide after it has been used in cheese milk, egg products or packaging, often together with glucose oxidase, and as a powder in some supplement blends.
- Category
- Enzymes
- Also known as
- Hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase · EC 1.11.1.6 · CAS 9001-05-2
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of catalase
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Fungal catalase
Aspergillus niger catalase, liquid or powder, the most common food-processing grade.
Bovine liver catalase
Animal-derived catalase, a partially purified liquid or powder; check species and BSE/TSE documentation.
Bacterial catalase
Catalase from Micrococcus fermentation, used in cheese making.
Glucose oxidase-catalase systems
Combined preparations used to remove oxygen or glucose from foods and packaging.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Catalase activity
- Activity by the FCC catalase method (hydrogen peroxide decomposition) in Baker units or other stated units per gram or milliliter.
- Source statement
- Production organism or animal species and tissue, with genetic modification and BSE/TSE statements as applicable.
- Heavy metals
- Lead (and often arsenic, cadmium and mercury) by ICP-MS, reported against FCC enzyme-preparation limits or the supplier's specification.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella, reported against the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) general limits for enzyme preparations or the supplier's tighter specification.
- Side activities
- Glucose oxidase or protease activity reported where it matters for the application.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep catalase liquids refrigerated and sealed as the supplier directs, and powders sealed in a cool, dry place. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification as a minimum activity to a date, and older stock is retested for activity before use.
Lots and expiry dates
Record the measured activity and source (fungal, bacterial or bovine) for each lot. Keep animal-derived lots separated for vegetarian, kosher and halal tracking, and rotate stock first-expired, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 184.1034 affirms catalase from bovine liver as GRAS as a direct food ingredient, used to decompose hydrogen peroxide.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 173.135 permits bacterial catalase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus for destroying and removing hydrogen peroxide used in making cheese.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)7 CFR 205.605 lists bovine liver catalase among animal enzymes allowed as nonagricultural ingredients in products labeled organic.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Enzymes includes catalase (item C.3) from Aspergillus niger, bovine liver and Micrococcus luteus.
Source: canada.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.
Catalase suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking catalase suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell catalase? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of catalase can brands buy?
Common forms include fungal catalase, bovine liver catalase, bacterial catalase and glucose oxidase-catalase systems. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for catalase include?
Expect catalase activity, source statement, heavy metals, microbiology and side activities, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should catalase be stored?
Keep catalase liquids refrigerated and sealed as the supplier directs, and powders sealed in a cool, dry place. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification as a minimum activity to a date, and older stock is retested for activity before use.
What is the regulatory status of catalase?
21 CFR 184.1034 affirms catalase from bovine liver as GRAS as a direct food ingredient, used to decompose hydrogen peroxide. 21 CFR 173.135 permits bacterial catalase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus for destroying and removing hydrogen peroxide used in making cheese. 7 CFR 205.605 lists bovine liver catalase among animal enzymes allowed as nonagricultural ingredients in products labeled organic. Health Canada's List of Permitted Food Enzymes includes catalase (item C.3) from Aspergillus niger, bovine liver and Micrococcus luteus.
More enzymes
- PapainCarica papaya protease · Papaya latex enzyme
- BromelainPineapple protease · Stem bromelain
- Fungal proteaseAspergillus oryzae protease · Acid protease
- Alpha-amylaseα-Amylase · 1,4-α-D-glucan glucanohydrolase
- GlucoamylaseAmyloglucosidase · Glucan 1,4-α-glucosidase
- LactaseBeta-galactosidase · β-D-galactoside galactohydrolase
- LipaseTriacylglycerol lipase · EC 3.1.1.3
- CellulaseEndo-1,4-β-glucanase · EC 3.2.1.4
- XylanaseEndo-1,4-β-xylanase · EC 3.2.1.8
- PectinasePolygalacturonase · Pectin lyase
- InvertaseBeta-fructofuranosidase · Sucrase
- Alpha-galactosidaseα-Galactosidase · α-D-galactoside galactohydrolase
Sell ingredients to brands?
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