Regresar

Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a replacement alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in animal feed

Abstract:

SUMMARY This literature review paper presents the mechanism of action, use, doses used, and benefits showed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an additive in animal feeding; several studies show that the yeast is utilized in different doses and concentrations as a culture (probiotic) or its cell walls (pre-biotic), attributing a positive impact of S. cerevisiae upon the productive and on the reproductive of the animals, as well as an increase in nutrient digestibility, improvements on intestinal morphometry variables, regulation of ruminal pH, modulation of the microbial population, benefits on the immune system, decrease in ammonia concentration, amongst others. Notwithstanding, it should be considered that the action of yeast differs according to pH, extraction temperature, nutritional composition, dosage, concentration and the diversity of diets offered to the animals. The results obtained in recent research, it can be inferred that the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an additive in animal feeding can substitute antibiotic growth promoters, achieving similar results without leaving residues in both animal products and by-products that are harmful to the consumer.