Japan NattoKinase Association

A traditional Japanese food “Natto” is a food made from soybeans fermented by Bacillus natto, and has been eaten since about 1,200 years ago. Enzymes that Bacillus natto produce by fermentation include protease and Dr. Oshima at Hokkaido Imperial University reported its purification and characteristics. Since then, it was investigated as a serine protease, and, in 1980s, the enzyme that degrades fibrin proteins (a cause of thrombi) was named as “Nattokinase”. Nattokinase is found in the sticky part of Natto.