Open AccessEfficacy of Levucell ® SB ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I‐1079) as a feed additive for weaned piglets
Author(s) -
Rychen Guido,
Aquilina Gabriele,
Azimonti Giovanna,
Bampidis Vasileios,
Bastos Maria De Lourdes,
Bories Georges,
Chesson Andrew,
Cocconcelli Pier Sandro,
Flachowsky Gerhard,
Gropp Jürgen,
Kolar Boris,
Kouba Maryline,
LópezAlonso Marta,
López Puente Secundino,
Mantovani Alberto,
Mayo Baltasar,
Ramos Fernando,
Villa Roberto Edoardo,
Wallace Robert John,
Wester Pieter,
Brozzi Rosella,
Saarela Maria
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4932
Subject(s) - feed additive , zoology , animal feed , feed conversion ratio , biology , food science , weaning , european commission , yeast , microbiology and biotechnology , body weight , european union , broiler , biochemistry , endocrinology , economic policy , business
Levucell ® SB is a feed additive based on viable cells of a strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae marketed in three formulations: SB 20 with a minimum concentration of 2 × 10 10 CFU /g viable yeast cells and SB 10 ME and SB Titan, both microencapsulated forms with a minimum concentration of 1 × 10 10 CFU /g viable yeast cells. In 2014, EFSA was requested by the European Commission to re‐evaluate the product when used as a zootechnical additive in feed for sows and weaned piglets. The safety of the additive for consumers, users, the environment and target animals and its efficacy for sows was established at that time. In that instance, the FEEDAP also concluded on the potential Levucell ® SB to improve growth of piglets based on one study where supplementation of the additive was done at the recommended dose of 2 × 10 9 CFU /kg feedingstuffs and two at 1 × 10 9 CFU /kg feedingstuffs, and considered that the effective dose was 2 × 10 9 CFU /kg feedingstuffs. Two additional feeding trials in weaned piglets receiving the additive at 1 × 10 9 CFU /kg feedingstuffs are the subject of this assessment. Due to the high mortality, one of the studies was not considered. In the remaining study, the supplementation of Levucell ® SB to weaned piglets at 1 × 10 9 CFU /kg feed resulted in a significant improvement of feed to gain ratio. Taking into account the two trials from the initial application which showed significant effects at 1 × 10 9 CFU /kg feed, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that Levucell ® SB has the potential to improve performance of weaned piglets when added to feed at 1 × 10 9 CFU /kg complete feedingstuffs. Results of the efficacy studies can be applied to any of the three available formulations when used to deliver the same dose.