What are the effects of yeast cell wall on animals? Detailed examples

      The yeast cell wall is a complex structure secreted by yeast cells, mainly composed of β - glucan, oligosaccharides, proteins, and chitin, which have various effects on animals. The following is a detailed introduction and examples:

develop immunity from disease

      Activation of immune cells: β - glucan in yeast cell walls can bind to receptors on the surface of immune cells (such as macrophages, lymphocytes, etc.) in animals, activating these immune cells and enhancing their phagocytic and bactericidal abilities. For example, in shrimp culture, after yeast cell wall is added to the feed, the phagocytosis rate of shrimp macrophages to pathogenic bacteria is significantly improved, the ability of shrimp to resist white spot syndrome virus and other pathogens is enhanced, and the incidence rate is reduced.

      Promoting the production of immune factors: It can stimulate the animal body to produce immune active substances such as immunoglobulin and cytokines, and improve the specific and non-specific immune response levels of animals. Adding yeast cell walls to piglet feed significantly increases the levels of immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, and IgM in piglet blood, enhances their resistance to pathogens such as Escherichia coli, and reduces the occurrence of diseases such as diarrhea.

Improve intestinal health

      Regulating gut microbiota: Mannooligosaccharides in yeast cell walls can serve as nutrients for beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, promoting their growth and reproduction in the gut while preventing harmful bacteria from binding to intestinal epithelial cells, thereby improving gut microbiota balance. In the breeding of laying hens, the addition of yeast cell walls significantly increases the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestinal tract of laying hens, while reducing the number of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, improving the intestinal health level of laying hens and enhancing their production performance.

      Enhancing intestinal barrier function: Yeast cell wall can promote the proliferation and repair of intestinal epithelial cells, enhance the integrity and barrier function of intestinal mucosa, and reduce the invasion of harmful substances and pathogens on the intestine. Taking weaned piglets as an example, adding yeast cell walls increases the thickness of the intestinal mucosa, increases the ratio of villus height to crypt depth, enhances the absorption capacity of nutrients in the intestine, and reduces the occurrence of intestinal inflammation.

Adsorption of fungal toxins

      Physical adsorption: The yeast cell wall has a unique porous structure with a large specific surface area, which can adsorb mycotoxins (such as aflatoxin, zearalenone, etc.) on its surface through physical adsorption, forming stable complexes and reducing the absorption of mycotoxins in the intestinal tract of animals. Adding yeast cell walls to pig feed can significantly reduce the absorption of aflatoxin by pigs, alleviate the damage of aflatoxin to organs such as the liver, and improve the growth performance and health status of pigs.

      Chemical binding: Certain components in the yeast cell wall, such as oligosaccharides, can react chemically with mycotoxins to form complex compounds that are difficult for animals to digest and absorb, thereby reducing the toxicity of mycotoxins. In poultry farming, the use of additives containing yeast cell walls can effectively reduce the impact of zearalenone on the reproductive system of laying hens, and improve their egg production rate and quality.

Promote growth performance

      Improving nutrient utilization efficiency: β - glucanase and other enzymes in yeast cell walls can degrade anti nutritional factors in feed, improving the digestion and absorption rate of nutrients in feed. In aquaculture, adding yeast cell walls to fish feed increases the digestion and absorption rate of protein and fat in the feed, accelerates growth rate, and reduces feed efficiency.

      Improving body metabolism: Yeast cell walls can regulate metabolic processes in animals, promote protein synthesis and fat metabolism, and enhance animal growth performance. In beef cattle breeding, adding yeast cell walls can increase the daily weight gain of beef cattle, improve meat quality, and increase breeding efficiency.