日本語
Food additive databaseenzymeChecked 2026-10-02

Muramidase ムラミダーゼ

Existing food additiveEU: covered by the food enzymes rules
Purpose
enzyme
On the label
“酵素” (enzyme), “ムラミダーゼ” (muramidase)
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives
ムラミダーゼ (No. 291)
Source and production
An enzyme that hydrolyzes mucopolysaccharides, obtained from cultures of actinomycetes (limited to the genera Actinomyces and Streptomyces) or bacteria (limited to the genus Bacillus) (definition in the specifications).

In Japan

  • An enzyme that breaks down mucopolysaccharides. The specifications state that it is obtained from cultures of specific actinomycetes and bacteria. “リゾチーム” (lysozyme), obtained from egg white, is a separate item in the list.
  • No standards for use (the foods it can be used in or the maximum amounts) have been set.
  • It falls within the group name for enzymes, so it can be labeled together as “酵素” (enzyme). When it counts as a processing aid, for example because it is used during manufacturing and does not remain in the final food, labeling is exempt.

Japan's standards for use

There are no standards for use that limit which foods or how much (the general standards for all additives still apply).

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

  • In the EU, food enzymes are covered by the food enzymes regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008), not by the list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II).
  • The name muramidase does not appear on the EU list of food additives (Regulation 1333/2008, Annex II) (the enzymes on the additive list are E1105 lysozyme and E1103 invertase).

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as enzyme

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