Lallemand’s live yeast Levucell SC is authorized for use in horses in Europe

Blagnac (France) - Lallemand Animal Nutrition's is now authorized to market its probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (Levucell^® SC20 and Levucell^® SC 10ME, a micro encapsulated form for inclusion in pelleted feed), in the European Union as a 'digestibility enhancer' in horses.

This new authorization of Levucell^® SC use is the acknowledgement by the European Authority that the ingredient is safe for animal health, human health and the environment as well as effective in horses in enhancing fibre digestibility and performance.

 Trials performed with Levucell^® SC in horses have proven that the probiotic yeast produced a significant improvement in fibre and overall dry matter digestibility. Levucell^® SC has an effect on horses' hindgut microflora, stimulating the growth of cellulolytic bacteria populations which improves fibre digestibility. These effects are translated into visible benefits for the horse. These include optimization of forage, improved feed utilization, and therefore weight gain, performance and general well-being.

In Europe, Zootechnical feeds such as probiotics for use in animal nutrition are subject to very strict scientific assessments, requirements and regulations. Their assessments, by a panel of scientific experts, include in-depth evaluation of the identity, composition, quality, safety and efficacy of the particular strain on the intended target species. It is therefore a lengthy process demanding significant  investment by the manufacturer. Levucell^® SC's modes of action are documented in over 40 publications based on more than 15 years' scientific research in partnership with the French agronomy research institute (INRA) and with other international research institutions.

Levucell^® SC complements Lallemand's existing range of nutritional solutions for horses, which includes  Alkosel (a selenium enriched yeast product used for its readily available source of selenium that aids fertility and provides antioxidant protection), Agrimos (mannan-oligosaccharides and beta-glucans to help maintain the balance of bacteria in the hindgut) and Fermaid Ease, (a product regularly recommended to help maintain gastric health in intensively managed horses at risk from gastric ulcers).

 Levucell^® SC is already authorized for use in dairy cows, beef cattle, fattening lambs, dairy ewes and dairy goats.