EFFICACY ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF YEAST FRACTIONS IN REDUCING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF MYCOTOXINS IN ANIMALS

This presentation aims to shed light on yeast-based solution for mycotoxin mitigation. Considerable research has been conducted to evaluate the potential animal growth performance and health benefits of adding yeast, yeast-derivatives, and yeast-containing ingredients into animal feeds (Shurson, 2018). In particular, supplementing animals with feed containing yeast cell wall (YCW) derivatives has shown positive results on elimination of mycotoxins and inhibition of their toxic effects. The use of YCW derivatives as mycotoxin binders can be considered a promising approach to protect animals against the harmful effects of mycotoxins contaminated feed. Several in vitro studies confirmed the potential of YCW in binding mycotoxins. As in vitro studies do not always predict in vivo results, in vivo experiments are required. Here, in order to investigate the efficacy of a YCW in reducing the systemic exposure of zearalenone (ZEN), a toxicokinetic study was performed in piglets focusing on plasma concentration-time profiles of ZEN-glucuronide. The YCW product tested in in vivo experiments based on the European Food Safety Authority, was able to reduce significantly the intestinal absorption of ZEN in piglets. In addition, yeast and YCW are immunomodulatory compounds that interact directly and indirectly with pathogens and components of the immune system. Hence yeastbased products, thanks to their immunomodulatory properties as well as their ability to maintain a favorable and healthy intestinal environment, contribute to reduce the toxic effects of mycotoxins.