Science-based nutrition Dietary supplement serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme isolated from the non-pathogenic bacteria serratia species found in the digestive tract of the Japanese silkworm. The enzyme is used by the worms to digest their cocoons. Serrapeptase has been used as a nutritional supplement in Europe and Asia for nearly three decades. The serrapeptase is formulated with Serrateric, a superior alternative to enteric coating that protects the enzyme until it reaches the intestine for optimal absorption.