Live yeast is a well-known and well-accepted nutritional supplement for many species of farm animals, but with many strains, finding one which produces the best results can be a long and difficult task.
For Italian group Mazzoleni, identifying the best strain producing optimum results was the dream of founder Efrem Mazzoleni. In today’s Industry Perspectives, we find out how the 40-year dream has now become reality with the group’s current CEO, his son, Andrea Mazzoleni.
Using the extensive and detailed knowledge of yeasts held by Italian wine specialists, the business identified and researched a live yeast with a unique genetic profile. With involvement from universities and independent research groups, he explains how it conducted positive trials and gained EFSA approval this year, leading to the launch of BioCell.
[Feedinfo] Can you give a brief overview of BioCell, your new product, before we look at it in detail?
[Andrea Mazzoleni] BioCell is the result of a 40-year dream that my father, Efrem Mazzoleni always cultivated since he started this company. As his son, and now CEO of the company, I began the research process six years ago which led to obtaining the registration of the strain this year. BioCell is a new strain of live yeast, derived from an intense process of selection, which offers excellent probiotic effects and is now available to the animal nutrition sector.
[Feedinfo] What processes did you go through to discover BioCell and bring it to market?
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[Andrea Mazzoleni] Since the beginning of the research, attention has focussed on the winemaking sector. In Italy we have a strong tradition in wine production, and within the sector exists huge knowledge about yeasts necessary for its production. The process of selecting yeast strains requires huge expertise and a precise awareness of the target you want to reach. With the researchers’ help, following the same procedures for the selection of a yeast for wine, we have been able to select a strain of yeast that matched the characteristics needed to become a brilliant probiotic for animal nutrition. |
Andrea Mazzoleni, CEO, Mazzoleni Group |
[Feedinfo] Can you tell us more about this strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and what makes it so effective in your opinion?
[Andrea Mazzoleni] The strain has been collected from grape skin before harvest. For its selection we considered different parameters. One of them, which is very important for the rumen, is the redox potential - the index that indicates capacity to consume oxygen and consequently the capacity to induce anaerobiosis. BioCell has a very high redox potential, and this can be extremely helpful for the rumen fermentation. The performance results obtained in trials performed on dairy cows suggest this has been the real beneficial effect given by Biocell to the rumen. Furthermore, BioCell has high activity in terms of Colony Forming Unit (CFU) and has high stability.
[Feedinfo] How does it work in ruminants vs monogastric? Are there differences?
[Andrea Mazzoleni] The activity of a live yeast is different between ruminants and monogastric. Live yeast has been used in ruminant nutrition for a long time. What has been detected by researchers over the years is the ability of the yeast to induce modifications in the rumen, one is the anaerobiosis, that we already discussed, that promotes fermentation of fibre and modulates the pH to the correct level for a healthy rumen. The improvement in performance, detected in the efficacy trials performed, witnesses the validity of these modification.
In monogastrics, the action of yeast is developed in the intestine. Here too, it will induce environmental modifications that improve feed efficiency with an improvement in performance, as we have been able to prove in our efficacy trials, and it will also influence in positive way the general health of the animals.
[Feedinfo] Can you talk through the trial results you have obtained using it? Are there any situations where it has been particularly effective?
[Andrea Mazzoleni] As requested by the EU we have performed different efficacy trials to confirm what we claim regarding Biocell. In these trials we had confirmation that the strategy we followed for the selection of the strain was correct. In all the animal species we tested BioCell, its impact in terms of production and in terms of return of investment has been extremely positive.
The dairy cows fed with our yeast showed a net increase of average daily production of milk, accompanied by a strong improvement in feed efficiency expressed in kilogram of milk produced per kilogram of feed intake. Expressed as a percentage, the difference the treated groups of all the trials performed produced an average higher quantity of milk of more than 5% compared with the control group.
We observed similar results in breeding sows. Their piglets had higher weights at weaning of more than 10%, while the sows lost less weight during this period; the average weight lost of the control groups was 20.5%, compared with average weight lost of the treated groups of 14.5%, leading to better condition in terms of fertility.
We also tested BioCell in piglets after weaning, and here too the effects gave us satisfaction. The piglets fed with Biocell showed an average higher weight of 6.7% compared with the control group.
[Feedinfo] You are launching BioCell on the market – can you discuss the various forms it will be available in, and how they should be used? Where will it be available?
[Andrea Mazzoleni] BioCell will be available in three forms. One is the M16, micro pellets with sixteen billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) per gram. The second is S12 with a spherical shape and with a vitality count of twelve billion CFU per gram. The third is P, a powder with one billion CFU.
Biocell M16 is suggested for any premix or mash feed. Biocell S12 has a higher stability at higher temperature and is preferable for use in pelleted feed.
BioCell will be distributed in all countries of the European Union with its valid registration. It will be also available in countries outside the EU.
[Feedinfo] For anyone considering using BioCell, what are the Return on Investment figures?
[Andrea Mazzoleni] Considering the cost of introducing BioCell in feed formulations there are no doubts about its performance from the economics point of view. The calculation must be done considering the specific formulation and the animal specie involved. BioCell will assist strongly in helping producers maintain animal performance and profitability.
