Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs

Ingredient file // Other

Dried Aspergillus Orzyae Fermentation Extract

An enzyme addition with unproven digestive benefit

This dried extract comes from Aspergillus oryzae grown to produce enzymes that break down starch and other food components. Enzymes have a demonstrated use during kibble production, but the closest dog studies have not shown a digestion benefit from adding similar products to finished food.

Role in the food Does a job
What it is
Dried, soluble material extracted from an Aspergillus oryzae fermentation grown to produce enzymes.
Made from
Aspergillus oryzae fermentation
Main job
Source of enzyme activity
Typical amount
Not published for this extract in dog food
Watch for
Heat can reduce enzyme activity
Not the same as
Live probiotic culture

Straight answer

Is Dried Aspergillus Orzyae Fermentation Extract safe for dogs?

Read it as a small enzyme addition

Judge the food by its main ingredients and nutritional analysis. This line signals an enzyme addition, but it does not show how much activity survives in the finished food. The listing's spelling appears to mean Aspergillus oryzae. Do not pay extra for a promise of easier digestion in a healthy dog without finished-food evidence.

Why it is in the food
Source of enzyme activity

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 24 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

4%

132 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 7 brands. All dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 32.5. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

3%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 97% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.71
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 95 priced foods, 14% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

44%

of the foods that list it are from NutriSource. 7 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Enzyme makers grow Aspergillus oryzae specifically for its enzyme output. They separate soluble material from the fermentation and dry the extract for use in feed. It is a purpose-made ingredient, not a leftover from food production.4,5,7

  1. 01 // Source Fungal culture A selected Aspergillus oryzae strain grows on a nutrient medium chosen for enzyme production.
  2. 02 // Process Solubles extracted Processors separate and concentrate water-soluble material from the fermentation.
  3. 03 // Process Extract dried Drying turns the extract into a feed ingredient; one supplier dries its product on wheat bran.
  4. 04 // Output Dry enzyme extract The resulting powder carries enzyme activity, including amylase and cellulase in one supplier's product.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

26.1

% protein

A measured Aspergillus oryzae extract-derived additive contained this much protein on a dry basis. It is a product example, not a standard for every extract.

Organic matter 926.1 g/kg6
Crude protein 261.3 g/kg6
Crude fiber 132 g/kg6
Crude fat 35 g/kg6

These are measurements of one commercial additive made from the extract, not a range for all suppliers. Other supplier sheets give different as-sold guarantees without moisture values, so their figures cannot be compared on this dry basis.6,7,8

Why it is in the bag

An enzyme add-in with no proven benefit to the dog

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Makers add it for enzyme activity and a digestion claim; one Aspergillus oryzae extract studied in cows carried amylase activity. Labels list ingredients by weight, so a spot far down means a likely small amount. In a production study, amylase added during extrusion raised output and cut power use; this extract was not tested. A 14-dog trial of an enzyme supplement found no digestibility gain. Enzymes have a shown production use; a benefit to the dog is unproven.1,3,9,10

  1. 01

    Supplies enzyme activity

    Manufacturers add the extract for enzymes that break down food components. The ingredient name does not tell an owner which enzymes remain active in the finished kibble.4,7

  2. 02

    Can ease extrusion

    In a dog food production trial, Aspergillus oryzae amylase increased extruder output and reduced electricity use. The trial tested an enzyme during production, not this extract in finished kibble.3

  3. 03

    Supports a digestion claim

    An enzyme listing gives manufacturers a basis to describe digestive support, although controlled dog studies of added enzyme products have not shown a consistent digestibility gain.1,2,7

  4. 04

    Offers processing efficiency

    Higher extruder output and lower electricity use could reduce manufacturing expense. The production study did not measure the total cost of making the food.3

How much One dog trial tested a supplement containing Aspergillus oryzae amylase at 2.5 g per cup of food; inclusion of this extract in dog food is unpublished.1

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Amylase cuts kibble production costs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In one production study, Aspergillus oryzae amylase increased extruder output by 43% and reduced electricity use by 29%. Those results support processing efficiency, but total manufacturing cost was not measured and the study did not test every extract.3

  2. Brands say

    Added enzymes make healthy dogs digest food better

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 14-dog trial found no nutrient or energy digestibility gain from a supplement containing Aspergillus oryzae amylase. Another controlled study found no digestibility gain from enzyme blends applied after extrusion. Neither tested this extract alone.1,2

  3. Owners say

    This extract works as a live probiotic

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The Canadian feed entry describes an extracted preparation and requires its label to state that it is not a source of viable microbial cells. An extract on a bag does not identify a live probiotic.5

  4. Owners say

    It replaces pancreatic enzymes for sick dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The 14-dog supplement trial involved healthy dogs and found no digestibility benefit. Pancreatic enzyme replacement for dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a separate treatment; this ingredient listing supplies no tested treatment dose.1

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It is added for enzyme activity, not bulk. A supplier specifies amylase, protease and cellulase activity for its product. Whether that activity improves digestion in a healthy dog eating finished kibble remains unproven.1,7

  2. Q02

    Will it improve digestion?

    No proof

    The closest controlled dog studies tested added enzyme products and found no meaningful increase in nutrient digestibility. They do not test every extract, but the ingredient name alone is no evidence of a benefit.1,2

  3. Q03

    Is this a probiotic?

    No

    This is material extracted from a fermentation. The Canadian feed entry requires a statement that the ingredient is not a source of viable microbial cells, so it should not be read as a live culture.5

  4. Q04

    Does kibble heat matter?

    Unmeasured

    One supplier warns its enzymes will not normally survive pelleting above 150°F. Pelleting is not kibble extrusion, and the sheet says nothing about extrusion, so it cannot tell you how much activity survives in finished kibble.7

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. NutriSource 58 / 91
  2. Nature's Logic 24 / 32
  3. Instinct 19 / 98
  4. Wysong 12 / 20
  5. Horizon 12 / 27
  6. Go! Solutions 5 / 46
  7. I and Love and You 2 / 23

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken Fat 55%
  2. Mixed Tocopherols 52%
  3. Chicken Meal 43%
  4. Chicken 41%
  5. Turkey Meal 37%
  6. Peas 34%
  7. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 32%
  8. Brown Rice 30%
  9. Flax Seed 27%
  10. Oatmeal 27%
  11. Barley 27%
  12. Flaxseed 21%

On the shelf

Foods that list Dried Aspergillus Orzyae Fermentation Extract

132 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Wysong Fundamentals Dry Dog FoodWysongWysong Fundamentals Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 19 on the labelHorizon Amicus Grain-Free All Life Stages Lamb Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Amicus Grain-Free All Life Stages Lamb Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 20 on the labelHorizon Amicus Grain-Free All Life Stages Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Amicus Grain-Free All Life Stages Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 20 on the labelHorizon Legacy Grain-Free All Life Stages Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Legacy Grain-Free All Life Stages Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 20 on the labelNutriSource Small Bites Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Small Bites Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 22 on the labelWysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Dry Dog FoodWysongWysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelHorizon Legacy Grain-Free Puppy Tri-Protein Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Legacy Grain-Free Puppy Tri-Protein Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 24 on the labelInstinct Be Natural Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Be Natural Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 25 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Gut Health Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Gut Health Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the labelHorizon Complete All Life Stages Whole Grain Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Complete All Life Stages Whole Grain Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb + Wild Boar Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb + Wild Boar Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the label
Show 48 more
Horizon Amicus Grain-Free All Life Stages Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Amicus Grain-Free All Life Stages Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 21 on the labelHorizon Taiga Whole Grain Pork Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Taiga Whole Grain Pork Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 23 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 24 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 24 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 24 on the labelHorizon Taiga Whole Grain Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Taiga Whole Grain Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 25 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Lamb Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Lamb Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Super Performance Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Super Performance Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Seafood Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Beef & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Beef & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small and Medium Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small and Medium Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelHorizon Amicus Grain-Free Adult Tri-Protein Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Amicus Grain-Free Adult Tri-Protein Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 26 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the labelNutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 27 on the labelNutriSource Turkey & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Turkey & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 28 on the labelNutriSource Beef & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Beef & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 28 on the labelNutriSource Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Adult Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 28 on the labelI and Love and You Nude Super Food Poultry Palooza Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodI and Love and YouI and Love and You Nude Super Food Poultry Palooza Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 28 on the labelHorizon Complete Whole Grain Large Breed Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Complete Whole Grain Large Breed Puppy Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 28 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Lamb Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Large Breed Lamb Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelNutriSource Performance Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Performance Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelNutriSource Weight Management Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Weight Management Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelNutriSource Senior Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Senior Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelInstinct Be Natural Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Be Natural Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelInstinct Be Natural Real Beef & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Be Natural Real Beef & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelHorizon Complete Whole Grain Senior Weight Management Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Complete Whole Grain Senior Weight Management Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelHorizon Complete Whole Grain Large Breed Adult Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Complete Whole Grain Large Breed Adult Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 29 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 30 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites High Plains Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites High Plains Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 30 on the labelNutriSource Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 30 on the labelNutriSource Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 30 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Woodlands Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Small Bites Woodlands Select Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Weight Management Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Weight Management Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Pork Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Pork Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelI and Love and You Nude Super Food Red Meat Medley Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodI and Love and YouI and Love and You Nude Super Food Red Meat Medley Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 32 on the labelNutriSource Grain-Free Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Grain-Free Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 32 on the label

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Extract

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Effect of enzyme supplements on macronutrient digestibility by healthy adult dogs Journal of Nutritional Science, 2017 // Journal
  2. 2 Enzyme effects on extruded diets for dogs with soybean meal as a substitute for poultry by-product meal Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2013 // Journal
  3. 3 Amylase utilization for the extrusion of dog diets Animal Feed Science and Technology, abstract hosted by UNESP, 2012 // Journal
  4. 4 Official Names and Definitions of Feed Ingredients AAFCO, 2025 // Regulator
  5. 5 Canadian Feed Ingredients Table Canadian Food Inspection Agency, n.d. // Government
  6. 6 The effects of an Aspergillus oryzae extract containing alpha-amylase activity on ruminal fermentation and milk production in lactating Holstein cows Animal Science, author full text hosted by ResearchGate, 2005 // Journal
  7. 7 DRIED A O EXTRACT SPC Enzymes, n.d. // Industry
  8. 8 AO ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE FERMENTATION EXTRACT Animal Science Products, n.d. // Industry
  9. 9 21 CFR 501.4: Food; designation of ingredients Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (text of US Code of Federal Regulations), 2026 // Regulator
  10. 10 The effects of an Aspergillus oryzae extract containing alpha-amylase activity on ruminal fermentation and milk production in lactating Holstein cows Animal Science, record hosted by University of Kentucky Scholars, 2005 // University
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED