Serracor NK vs. Neprinol | Brand Comparison

April 11, 2011 - PRLog -- With competing systemic enzyme products on the market, choosing one that is right for you can be a difficult decision. Being informed about the product’s source has become equally as important as understanding how it works.

AST Enzymes is a true enzyme manufacturer: one that formulates and creates enzyme supplements, not simply encapsulates and bottles them.

At AST Enzymes, we understand that attention to detail is important for making powerful and effective enzyme blends. Caution must be taken when formulating with various ingredients to ensure that blends preserve enzyme activity – that’s where the knowledge of an experienced enzyme company is crucial. Considering the vast array of enzymes that exist and their infinite combinations, including with other ingredients, it takes an expert to know which enzymes work together for the best result. What’s more, we are always looking to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality products with the greatest bioavailability.

Here are some distinguishing features that set AST Enzyme products above the rest.

Enteric coated Serrapeptase and Nattokinase

Certain websites and distributors have claimed that enzymes do not require a pH resistant coating (known as an enteric coating) to be effective systemically. The fact is that all enzymes have a pH range.  At the extremes of this range, whether acid or alkaline, systemic enzymes will denature (become irreversibly inactive). While it is true that most fungal and plant source systemic enzymes exhibit a fairly broad pH range, some bacterial sourced systemic enzymes are less tolerant of low pH. Because we are the actual manufacturer of our enzymes, we test them for both pH and temperature stability.  Based on the results of these kinetic studies, we have repeatedly demonstrated that serrapeptase and nattokinase are much less tolerant of a low pH and will begin to lose activity in acidic conditions consistent with the stomach.  Therefore, for maximum effectiveness, serrapeptase and nattokinase are best when enteric coated.

Enzyme Stabilization with BPPS®

The Bioactive Protein Peptides System® (BPPS) is a system of peptides used to stabilize and enhance the activity of enzymes.

The Bioactive Protein Peptides System was developed by Specialty Enzymes and Biotechnologies specifically for enzyme stability.  Stabilizers have been used since we began manufacturing enzymes in 1957. The BPPS system was a significant advancement developed by Specialty Enzymes in the early 1990's.

It is true it was not trademarked until 2004, but it was in use long before. The reality is, a pure enzyme is not stable. It requires the addition of stabilizers in order to provide a reasonable shelf life. Because we are the actual manufacturer of enzymes with more than 50 years of manufacturing experience, our research and development team constantly works to improve stability and tolerance to the environments in which the enzymes interact. Marketing companies, on the other hand, will generally have significantly less understanding of the physio-chemical and kinetic properties of enzymes.

Assured Quality Enzyme Manufacturing

Much concern has been raised about the announcement of a recent voluntary recall of serrapeptase products, sold as Dasen® or Danzen, produced by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited on February 21, 2011. These products based out of Japan have been distributed by Takeda for almost 40 years and can be found in many systemic enzyme formulas available on the market today.

Takeda reports that, since the release of previous efficacy studies in 1995, recent double-blind studies on their serrapeptase products have failed to show a statistically significant reduction in inflammation. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan requested that additional studies be conducted demonstrating the use of serrapeptase in current clinical treatment practices and the efficacy of the product.

While Takeda believes their serrapeptase product works, they have decided that further testing would be too difficult and have recalled the product instead.

You can see the company’s formal announcement here. (http://www.takeda.com/press/article_40162.html)

The recall of these Japanese enzymes does not affect the production or sale of AST Enzyme products and does not reflect upon the activity of our serrapeptase.

AST Enzymes is a member of SEB Group, a vertically integrated group of companies manufacturing nutraceutical and industrial enzymes. Our raw materials, including serrapeptase, are manufactured in India, the birthplace of our company and center of the enzyme industry. In fact, SEB Group is the largest manufacturer of serrapeptase worldwide.

SEB Group includes 5 large-scale manufacturing facilities, all with in-house laboratories and testing facilities that work to guarantee the same level of activity in every batch of enzymes produced. Our state-of-the-art ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing facilities utilize the most advanced, surface and submerged fermentation technologies available.

How does all of this compare?

                         Enteric Coated
                   Serrapeptase and                                                  Serrapeptase
                            Nattokinase   Enzyme Stabilizer    Manufacturing Source   Price
Neprinol
2004-2008               Yes                        Yes                                      India                  $144.99
Neprinol
Current                        No                    Unknown                           Japan                  $144.99

Serracor-NK              Yes                         Yes                                      India                   $124.99


AST Enzymes has a great research staff that continues to develop new products benefiting ultimately the consumer. Utilizing more than 50 years manufacturing experience, AST Enzymes provides quality and innovation in enzyme products for health care professionals and consumers alike.

We agree that an informed choice is the best choice. Choose AST Enzymes today.



BPPS® is a registered trademark of Specialty Enzymes and Biotechnologies.
Dasen® is a registered trademark of Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, which is not affiliated with, nor sponsors or endorses this product or any other product from Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies.
Neprinol® is a registered trademark of Arthur Andrews Medical Inc., which is not affiliated with, nor sponsors or endorses this product or any other product from Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies.

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AST Enzymes is a part of the SEB Group USA, a global vertically integrated manufacturer of nutraceutical and industrial enzymes. With certified manufacturing facilities & top team of scientists & experts, the SEB Group is a leader in enzyme technologies.