UPDATE BULLETIN

Published in the Interest of Customer Education

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

VOL. 6 NO. 4

YEAST CULTURE PROBIOSIS IN RUMINANTS

Ruminal microbes play a vital role
in utilizing the feed nutrients in
ruminants. For the past several
years researchers were trying to
naturally boost the rumen function
by improving the beneficial
ruminal biomass. In this
connection several yeast culture
species & strains were tried for
ruminal probiosis with varying
results.
Various studies have been conducted to
elucidate the mode of action of yeast cultures,
when used for probiosis in ruminants.
Researchers realised that the various strains of
yeast differed in their efficacy with respect to
stimulation of ruminal bacteria. After conducting
trials and a rigorous invitro and invivo screening,
researchers have zeroed in on the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the most efficient
yeast culture in the rumen. Saccharomyces
cerevisiae is more suitable to the anaerobic
conditions of the rumen when compared to
baker's yeast which is active only in aerobic
conditions.
The role of microbes in rumen & reticulum is
Editorial

very vital for proper digestion & utilization of

feed stuffs in ruminants. Yeast culture
supplementation is one of the promising & I hope the present issue will give an insight in
exciting areas to favourably manipulate the understanding usefulness of yeast culture in
ruminal microflora to enhance the limiting dry ruminant nutrition.
matter intake & to reduce digestive upsets in
ruminants.
Bharat Tandon
Saccharomyces cerevisiae IN RUMINAL
ACIDOSIS
Ruminants are unique in their ability to utilise
low quality fibrous feedstuffs. Bacteria are the
principal organisms responsible for the
hydrolysis and degradation of cellulose within
the rumen. Even though ruminants can utilise
cellulolosic feedstuffs, most often dairy cattle
are fed rations that contain high levels of
cereal concentrates in order to meet the
energy requirements. These cereal
concentrates provide the substrate for rapid
proliferation of rumen bacteria such as
Streptococcus bovis that produce large
amounts of lactic acid. Since lactic acid is a
stronger acid than volatile fatty acids, it
results in acidosis and rumen dysfunction.
Ruminal acidosis results in reduced
cellulolytic activity and fibre digestion,
decreased ruminal motility and ruminal
digesta turnover, as well as rumen ulceration,
liver abscesses and death. Saccharomyces
cerevisiae reduces acidosis and stabilises the
ruminal pH by supplementing malic acid, the
growth stimulating factor for lactate utilising
bacteria viz. Selenomonas ruminantium and
Megasphaera elsdenii. It is also likely that
Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides other
growth factors such as B-vitamins, PABA and
amino acids that are required by
Selenomonas ruminantium for growth on
lactate. It has been found that Saccharomyces
cerevisiae not only increases the
concentration of lactic acid utilising bacteria
but also the rate of lactic acid utilisation by the
microbial population of the rumen. Thus
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is effective in
overcoming ruminal acidosis & dysfunction.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae and cellulose degradation

It was observed in one of the latest studies that concentrations of total anaerobic and
cellulolytic bacteria were increased 5 and 8 times respectively in the rumen receiving yeast
culture supplemented diets. Not only the concentrations but also the bacterial activity is
enhanced in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The lag time of predominant ruminal
bacteria, i.e. the time required to initiate growth and produce enzymes to start the digestion of
ration components was also significantly decreased when yeast culture was supplemented.
Increases upto 11% in the digestibility of the fibre fraction have been found.
Thus increased number of beneficial ruminal bacteria, early start of fibre digestion and better
ration digestibility explain the increased dry matter intake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
supplemented animals.
Stimulation of lactate utilizers leads to a consistent, stabilized ruminal pH which is congenial
for cellulolytic species activity resulting in improved digestibility & dry matter intake.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Milk production
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, when supplemented in diets not only increased the milk
production but also resulted in a better persistency in lactation. It intensified rumen
fermentation and resulted in less pronounced energy deficit post partum, resulting in
improved body condition and production performance. Milk production especially during the
last four months of lactation was higher in cows fed diets supplemented with Saccharomyces
cerevisiae.
 Improved digestibility of the diet
Other benefits of Saccharomyces
cerevisiae > Starch
> Fiber (NDF, ADF)
1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae chelates several
important trace minerals like zinc, copper and > Crude protein
manganese and increases their availability to
the animal. Many of these are recognised as Increased milk production
critical to the animals.
2. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a natural Increased growth rate
source of vitamins including the B-complex
vitamins.
3. Saccharomyces cerevisiae acts to reduce Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae:
methane production by as much as 25%. Farmer observations
Methane is a waste product of rumen
fermentation. Reducing methane production More milk
can improve feed efficiency.
Better weight gain
4. Saccharomyces cerevisiae stimulates
appetite.
Less feed refusal & digestive upsets
Saccharomyces cerevisiae does it naturally -
sustained higher milk production
Less variation in milk production and feed intake
In a nutshell Saccharomyces cerevisiae
seems to be the best naturally available tool to
improve rumen function in ruminal Better "bloom"
acidosis/dysfunction. At farm levels it is proven
to have long term benefits of reducing
incidence of digestive upsets & improving
productive and reproductive performances.
Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae:
Scientific proof

Decreased lactic acid concentration in the

rumen

Stabilized rumen pH

Improved dry matter intake

More microbial protein and VFA

Better rumen ammonia utilization

 About Ourselves
'VETCARE' offers unequalled technical competence, refined by
a decade of experience and accounted by unique insights into
your animal's needs. All this means that VETCARE becomes a
resource for servicing your animal needs effectively,
maximising your efficiencies and increasing your profits. Our
state of the art R & D facility recognised by Department of
Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science &
Technology, Government of India keeps us at the forefront of
those in the Industry who offer quality products in national and
International markets.
One of the interesting aspects in Dairy nutrition is the
incorporation of bypass fat in the ration of cows in early
lactation. This will greatly help to meet the energy requirements
of cows in early lactation. This will also help in minimising
negative energy balance during this period.
We are the first to introduce 'NUTRIJOULE' - energy rich
bypass fat into Indian market which is proven to improve and
sustain milk production in early lactation cows & helps to
maintain good body condition. One more important beneficial
effect is better reproductive performance in cows fed bypass
fat.
The solution for better reproduction & production performance
in high yielding cows is to supplement "NUTRIJOULE" - A
Unique energy dense supplement for ruminants.

Visit us at www.vetcareindia.com

So this man ordered coffee in a restaurant and said serve me fast, I must go
before my cow gets up. So what if it gets up? asked the unassuming waiter.
Big trouble said the worried man. It will start singing loudly and dance
violently creating a lot of nuisance for the neighborhood.
This is the first time I am hearing about a cow singing and dancing the surprised
waiter exclaimed. And when I said the same thing to my cow, it abused me
in a very bad language said the man in a hurry.

The role of chelated minerals and electrolytes

Next Issue
Stress pack in alleviating heat stress

Published by M/s. Vetcare, Division of Tetragon Chemie Ltd., IS 40, KHB Industrial Area, Yelahanka New Town, Bangalore - 560 064.
Phone: 8460060, 8462055/56. Fax: 8461240 E-mail: vetcare@vsnl.com
Edited and designed and produced by Journal House Bangalore Phone: 3346692 and printed at Sri Muthappan Offset Printers, Bangalore