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Lallemand Publishes New Research Demonstrating the Benefits of Hydrolyzed Yeast in Weanling Piglets
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new scientific paper in Frontiers in Nutrition, titled “In vitro characterization of amino acid digestibility and fermentative properties of a specific hydrolyzed yeast, and its in vivo effects on growth performance and fecal microbiota in weanling piglets.”1
This study emphasizes the nutritional and functional potential of YELA PROSECURE (YPS), a specifically designed hydrolyzed yeast, as a high-value protein source and fiber supplement for young piglets.
The research explored both in vitro and in vivo effects of the hydrolyzed yeast, focusing on three key areas:
- In Vitro Total Amino Acid Digestion Kinetics: the hydrolyzed yeast demonstrated exceptionally high total amino acid availability, with 76.6% digestibility after 3 hours. This confirms the specifically designed hydrolyzed yeast as a highly digestible protein source and an excellent supply of flash and fast amino acids, supporting their uptake during the critical post-weaning period.
- In Vitro Fermentative Activity: the insoluble fraction of the hydrolyzed yeast (YPSi) stimulated robust microbial fermentation, producing high levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These metabolites are known to support gut health and epithelial integrity, also playing an important functional role in the development of the piglet’s gastrointestinal tract.
- In Vivo Effects on Piglet Performance and Microbiota:
- In a study conducted at ITACyL (Spain), using the specifically designed hydrolyzed yeast as a partial replacement for soybean meal at 2.5% and 6% inclusion showed, in both cases:
- Significantly higher body weights at day 18 (P < 0.001) and day 40 (P < 0.05) post-weaning.
- Improved feed conversion ratio and higher average daily feed intake (P < 0.01).
- The hydrolyzed yeast also modulated the fecal microbiota, increasing beneficial taxa such as Lactobacillus amylovorus, L. reuteri, Limosilactobacillus mucosae, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, while reducing the relative abundance of Campylobacterota (P adj. < 0.05).
“This study provides strong evidence that YPS is not only a highly digestible protein source but also a functional feed ingredient that supports gut health and growth performance in weanling piglets. This is likely due to nutrient absorption in the small intestine and its functional role on gut microbiota and health,” said Bruno Bertaud, Global Swine Technical Manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition and co-lead author of the study.
“This research also highlights the critical need to evaluate the kinetics of nutrient absorption, revealing that a deeper understanding of how protein and fiber are utilized can unlock new strategies for optimizing animal health and performance.”
This publication reinforces Lallemand’s commitment to advancing animal nutrition through rigorous science, innovative product development, and collaborative research.
1Bravo de Laguna F, Achard CS, Dunière L, Parmentier E, Helmja K, Bertaud B, Lebreton P, Saornil D, Chevaux E, Castex M and Apper E (2025) In vitro characterization of amino acid digestibility and fermentative properties of a specific hydrolyzed yeast, and its in vivo effects on growth performance and fecal microbiota in weanling piglets. Front. Nutr. 12:1596561. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1596561
Published Sep 2, 2025 | Updated Feb 2, 2026