Amylase (Fungal Alpha-Amylase)
Also known as: alpha-amylase, fungal amylase, Aspergillus oryzae amylase, diastase, glucoamylase (related)
Amylase is the enzyme that breaks starch into maltose and shorter glucose chains. Supplement-grade amylase is fermented from Aspergillus oryzae and works across a broad pH range, so it remains active in the stomach as well as the small intestine. It is a core component of digestive enzyme blends aimed at meal comfort after starchy foods, and it appears in enzyme-fortified protein and meal-replacement powders. A 2026 randomized crossover trial of an oral multi-enzyme blend in healthy middle-aged and older adults measured changes in post-meal nutrient absorption. Manufacturers specify amylase by activity units (DU), not by weight.
Research summary
Hydrolyzes alpha-1,4 glycosidic bonds in starch and glycogen; studied as part of multi-enzyme blends for effects on postprandial nutrient availability.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 50–150 mg | — | — |
Dose is really an activity target of about 3,000–10,000 DU per serving; the 50–150 mg range assumes a common commercial potency and must be recalculated from the supplier's DU per gram. Take at the start of a meal. Enzymes act only on the meal they accompany, so timing matters more than accumulation.
Standardization: Activity-standardized: 3,000–10,000 DU per serving (DU = dextrinizing units, FCC method); supplier states DU per gram
Source material: Aspergillus oryzae fermentation
As supplied: Manufacturers quote activity (DU per gram), not mass; the mg figure here is a placeholder until the supplier's potency is known.
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Heat- and moisture-sensitive protein; capsule, dry powder, or low-heat tablet only. Not suitable for gummies or liquids.
Formulation notes
Loses activity with heat and humidity; keep water activity low. Avoid formulating alongside proteases in a moist matrix, which can degrade the enzyme before use.
Sources
- Oral Multienzyme Supplementation Alters Postprandial Plasma Nutrient Concentrations after a Mixed Meal in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial. (Deutz 2026)PubMed
- Food Chemicals Codex (USP) — enzyme activity unit definitionsReference
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database — digestive enzyme productsNIH DSLD
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