Discover the benefits of ICC Animal Nutrition solutions to meet every animal’s need in Standard to Super Premium formulations.

Although the use of yeast and yeast-based feed additives as a source of nutrients in animal diets is well-known worldwide, there are still some doubts about their use in pet food. Therefore, we have listed the main benefits of formulating Standard, Premium, Premium Special, and Super Premium diets, considering various techniques and their uses. Learn more about the benefits of ICC Animal Nutrition’s line of solutions for animal nutrition.

First, it is worth noting that commercial pet food is classified according to the segmentation instituted by the industry itself as Standard or Economy, Premium, Premium Special, and Super Premium. There is a significant qualitative difference between these formulations, which involves selecting raw materials and their analysis, evaluating animal digestibility, and nutrient absorption.

In addition to nutritional factors, the costs of the ingredients are considered through formulation programs to formulate a diet. Including functional additives or yeast as a source of nutrients in diets is a common practice and often used to give them some exclusive benefit, adding quality and value to the final product. Therefore, the most appropriate choice for pet food must consider economic and nutritional factors and the specific benefits sought.

Standard (economical)

These diets have lower-quality protein sources and less biological value, requiring higher animal consumption to meet their nutritional needs.

For this type of food, yeasts, as a source of nutrients from ethanol or brewery production processes, are an excellent option to increase its nutritional quality since these are protein sources with an interesting amino acid and vitamin profile. Yeasts are also excellent sources of glutamic acid, making it possible to reduce the use of palatants. That is why the inactive dried yeast (StarYeast®) can also be used in Standard diets.

Considering the use of feed additives, ImmunoWall® is an excellent option. For diets that use fewer noble ingredients in their formulation, the inclusion of ImmunoWall® as a source of MOS and β-glucans is highly positive since it provides benefits on gut integrity, reduction of pathogens, and acts as an immunomodulator, resulting in an excellent value for money.

Premium and Special Premium

These are diets with a greater diversity of ingredients, a better protein profile, and higher digestibility. From an economic point of view, it allows the use of brewers and inactive dried yeast (StarYeast®) as nutritional yeast and feed additives such as MOS and β-glucans (ImmunoWall®), autolyzed yeast (LysCell®) and mycotoxin adsorbents (StarFix®).

Super Premium and Veterinary diets

The Super Premium and Veterinary diets are made up of even more noble ingredients with high digestibility. They provide better use of nutrients, requiring less consumption to meet the animal’s needs. Another essential characteristic of Super Premium diets is that their composition is usually fixed; replacing any components is prohibited.

In these diets, the main goal is to have high-quality ingredients and provide maximum animal welfare, so using feed additives is almost a rule. It is also possible to consider the inclusion of a yeast-based solution, such as a source of MOS and β-glucans present in ImmunoWall® – which are focused on improving gut health and modulating the immune response of animals, making them less susceptible to diseases; mycotoxin adsorbing additive, such as StarFix®, which reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination that may be present in the diet, added to traditional brewer’s yeasts, such as Brewer’s EXL®, and autolyzed yeast, LysCell®.

It is worth mentioning that LysCell® and Hilyses® are ideal for diets intended for animals with dermal sensitivity or allergic problems since they have a high concentration of short-chain peptides, which are not detected as allergens by the immune system. The autolysis process also contributes to excellent palatability and digestibility. Hilyses® also contributes with nucleotides and nucleosides, essential for demands like allergic control, hepatic problems, and animal recovery.

In summary, based on ICC’s solutions portfolio, the inclusion of different types of nutritional yeast or feed additives, considering some types of pet food available on the market:

By: Márcia Villaça, Technical and Sales Manager
Melina Bonato, Technical and R&D Manager