by Maike Rakebrandt, Senior Product Management Companion Animals (Equine & Pet), Leiber GmbH, Germany
Real brewers ‘yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a natural by-product of the brewing process. It is successfully used in animal nutrition, especially petfood, human nutrition and biotechnological applications for decades.
The German, family-owned company Leiber GmbH is specialised since more than 70 years in the production of brewers ‘yeast products and supplies sustainable solutions all over the world. Long before sustainability became a buzzword, Leiber’s maxim was ‘There are only valuable secondary streams.’
Pure dried brewers ‘yeast consists of a high content of essential amino acids, B-vitamins and trace minerals. Positive effects on digestion, gastro-intestinal health, metabolism, immunity and performance have been described in scientific papers and confirmed in practice.
Brewers yeast & spent grains
Leiber YeaFi® BT was one of the first products launched by Franz Leiber 70 years ago. It is a perfect synergy of brewers’ yeast and spent grains. Both are sustainable side streams of the Food production – the beer brewing industry. Both components have well-known dietary and prebiotic effects. They play an important role in the complex interaction between diet, endogenous enzymes, mucosa and commensal microbiota. Soluble and insoluble fibres contribute to physiological and mechanical saturation by promoting beneficial bacteria, increasing enzyme activity and influencing gut peristalsis.
Trial results in pets showed that the fibre components reinforce the beneficial nutritional properties of brewers’ yeast in an ideal way. Leiber YeaFi® has many positive effects in dogs and cats, especially on the faeces, skin and coat. Additionally, production tests of semimoist and plant based baked snacks and treats for dogs showed technical advantages during the production process. The product performed as great texturizers, improved the texture and shape, reduced the stickiness of the snacks and showed a positive impact on the snacks’ appearance, natural colouring and shine. Higher inclusion level of this product decreased the pH of the snacks during the whole test period. This has a positive impact on the preservation of the end product.
Wide range of applications
Whether we use whole yeast cells, yeast cell wall components (MOS), highly purified beta-glucans or yeast extracts from cell interiors: Brewers’ Yeast products are always a valuable nutritional supplement, with many advantages for the pet’s longevity, health and well-being.
Brewers’ yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a proven raw material with many positive effects. Despite often being seen as only a high-quality natural protein and vitamin B source, Brewers’ Yeast products can do so much more like support the digestion, the metabolism, the immune system or the coat quality.
Natural prebiotic
Biolex® MB40 is characterised by its high levels of beta-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and a special surface structure with associated high adsorption power. The positive effects, in particular on the microbiome (prebiotic effect), the immune system and binding activities of pathogens and mycotoxins have been scientifically proven many times. Biolex® MB40 is digested moderately and selectively, in particular by the canine microflora in the colon on a dose-depended way. It has a positive influence on the metabolic markers like propionate and butyrate and the composition and activity of the microbiome in the colon. Additionally, it support the intestinal barrier as the first defensive line against potential pathogens and inhibits interleukins. Which is very advantageous in chronical inflammatory processes like IBD.
Strong immune defence
Creating products with highly pure beta-1,3-1,6-glucan molecules from the cell wall of brewer’s yeast (such as Leiber® Beta-S) provide high purity, and are suitable for effective and sustainable relief for animals’ metabolism and immune system. The positive effect, in particular on specific and non-specific defence mechanisms of the immune system, has been shown many times. It improves the immune defence mechanisms, supports immunological competence especially in young animals, boosts the immune system in stressful situations and supports recovery periods and regeneration phases.
Diet foods can taste good
A particularly gentle hydrolysis process enables products (such as CeFi®pro) to combine the positive effects of beta-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) in the cell wall with the natural components of the cell interior like peptides, free amino acids and nucleotides in one product. So, it is more or less pre-digested, this making the valuable nutrients much more readily available to the animal. It also promotes the intestine, reduces inflammatory reactions and enhances at the same time palatability.
Natural, pure & delicious
Having high levels of proteins, peptides, amino acids, glutamic acids and nucleotides helps meet many nutritional requirements and improve palatability at the same time. Yeast extracts should contain many flavour-improving nutrients to significantly increase the acceptance of a food, in particular for dogs and cats. Products such as Leiber NuTaste® show a very broad spectrum of applications to product developers and ration optimisers. Each yeast extract has a unique taste profile. This creates a huge variety of taste nuances that can be used both pure and in combination with different yeast extracts. Some yeast extracts have additional functions such as natural colouring, Off-Taste Masking or more creaminess.
Published in the January 2025 issue of International Petfood.
