Biotechnological applications of the yeast cell wall with emphasis on the development of feed additives

Abstract

The objective of the chapter was to give a general look at the applications that yeasts can and could have. Some of them are used as supplements in animal feed due to their relatively high content of proteins and amino acids, energy and micronutrients compared to common cereals and oilseed meals. It has been shown that whole cells, cell walls, wall components improve the performance and health of animal growth. Although, there are many researches that evaluate the use of yeasts in the p otential development and the benefits for human and animal health. It is necessary to develop biotechnological strategies such as the one proposed in this chapter. Four strains of yeasts with probiotic properties (S. boulardii RC009; S. cerevisiae RC012, S. cerevisiae VM014 and K. marxianus VM004) were tested to be used as adsorbents of AFB1 . The use of waste from the bioethanol industry was studied as a carbon source to produce biomass and extract the cell wall of the yeasts. The walls were studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared, determining the thickness of the wall and the composition. The quantification of the adsorption of AFB1 using High Performance Liquid Chromatography was conducted. Increasing the thickness of yeast walls to be used as feed additives and mycotoxin adsorbents is a promising strategy to reduce the exposure to animals (and, consequently, to humans) of mycotoxins, since the capacity of adsorption is due to the interactions between the yeast wall and the mycotoxins.