{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T18:36:05Z","timestamp":1768242965092,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768176000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Although a yeast-based additive was initially employed as a performance enhancer, subsequent analysis revealed high aflatoxin B1 levels in the corn silage. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine if the use of a yeast blend in the diet of Holstein calves that consumed feed naturally contaminated with high levels of aflatoxin can minimize the negative impacts of mycotoxins on animal health, contributing to improved performance. For this, we used 24 Holstein calves (6 months old) divided into two groups: Control (n = 12; no additive) and Treatment (n = 12; 5 g additive\/animal\/day). During the 100-day experiment, animals were weighed, feed intake was measured, blood samples were collected to assess health, and ruminal fluid was analyzed for ruminal fermentation. We observed greater weight gain and better feed efficiency in cattle that consumed the yeast-based additive compared to the control group. Yeast ingestion increased the concentration of propionic acid in the experimental environment, as well as increasing the protozoan count. Higher lymphocyte counts combined with higher levels of immunoglobulin G in the blood of females that consumed the additive were observed. Lower activity of enzymes that are biomarkers of liver damage, as well as markers of oxidative stress, was observed when animals consumed the yeast blend compared to the control group. Lower levels of ceruloplasmin (positive acute phase protein) and higher levels of transferrin (negative acute phase protein) are indicative of an anti-inflammatory response to the additive. The results preliminarily suggest that the consumption of the yeast blend is a nutritional tool capable of acting as a performance enhancer, even under challenging conditions, such as diets contaminated with aflatoxin at levels exceeding international limits.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani16020219","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T14:57:25Z","timestamp":1768229845000},"page":"219","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Adding a Yeast Blend to the Diet of Holstein Females Minimizes the Negative Impacts of Ingesting Feed Naturally Contaminated with Aflatoxin B1"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Mario Augusto","family":"Torteli","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapec\u00f3 89815-630, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5970-7703","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrei Lucas Rebelatto","family":"Brunetto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapec\u00f3 89815-630, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Emeline P.","family":"Mello","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapec\u00f3 89815-630, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9734-6902","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Guilherme Luiz","family":"Deolindo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Lages 88520-000, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Luisa","family":"Nora","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Lages 88520-000, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-5832-8416","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tainara Let\u00edcia","family":"dos Santos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapec\u00f3 89815-630, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1270-1528","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Luiz Eduardo Lobo e","family":"Silva","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Food Science, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6176-7913","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Roger","family":"Wagner","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Food Science, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5459-3823","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aleksandro Schafer da","family":"Silva","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Program of Animal Science, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Chapec\u00f3 89815-630, SC, Brazil"},{"name":"Graduate Program of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), Lages 88520-000, SC, Brazil"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115476","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2022.115476","article-title":"The effects of dietary yeast and yeast-derived extracts on rumen microbiota and their function","volume":"294","author":"Baker","year":"2022","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pang, Y., Zhang, H., Wen, H., Wan, H., Wu, H., Chen, Y., Li, S., Zhang, L., Sun, X., and Li, B. (2022). Yeast Probiotic and Yeast Products in Enhancing Livestock Feeds Utilization and Performance: An Overview. J. Fungi, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/jof8111191"},{"key":"ref_3","first-page":"201","article-title":"Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a culture or lysate on innate immunity, ruminal and intestinal morphology of feedlot-finished steers","volume":"41","author":"Cunha","year":"2020","journal-title":"Semin. Ci\u00eancias Agr\u00e1rias"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, N., Wu, W., Pan, J., and Long, M. (2019). Detoxification Strategies for Zearalenone Using Microorganisms: A Review. Microorganisms, 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms7070208"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1051\/animres:2002012","article-title":"Mycotoxins in feeds and their fate in animals: A review","volume":"51","author":"Yiannikouris","year":"2002","journal-title":"Anim. Res."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"356","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aninu.2020.12.005","article-title":"Low-protein diets supplemented with glutamic acid or aspartic acid ameliorate intestinal damage in weaned piglets challenged with hydrogen peroxide","volume":"7","author":"Chen","year":"2021","journal-title":"Anim. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Asadpoor, M., Peeters, C., Henricks, P.A.J., Varasteh, S., Pieters, R.J., Folkerts, G., and Braber, S. (2020). Anti-Pathogenic Functions of Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides In Vitro. Nutrients, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12061789"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Burdick Sanchez, N.C., Broadway, P.R., and Carroll, J.A. (2021). Influence of Yeast Products on Modulating Metabolism and Immunity in Cattle and Swine. Animals, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani11020371"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"783","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1023576520932","article-title":"A novel technique to evaluate interactions between Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall and mycotoxins: Application to zearalenone","volume":"25","author":"Yiannikouris","year":"2003","journal-title":"Biotechnol. Lett."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yiannikouris, A., Apajalahti, J., Siikanen, O., Dillon, G.P., and Moran, C.A. (2021). Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cell Wall-Based Adsorbent Reduces Aflatoxin B1 Absorption in Rats. Toxins, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/toxins13030209"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3867","DOI":"10.3168\/jds.2007-0162","article-title":"Effects of feedborne Fusarium mycotoxins on the performance, metabolism, and immunity of dairy cows","volume":"90","author":"Korosteleva","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Dairy Sci."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"542","DOI":"10.3934\/microbiol.2024026","article-title":"Microbial feed additives in ruminant feeding: Effects on ruminal fermentation, microbial balance, and animal performance","volume":"10","author":"Kholif","year":"2024","journal-title":"AIMS Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dos Santos, T.L., Favaretto, J.A.R., Brunetto, A.L.R., Zatti, E., Marchiori, M.S., Pereira, W.A.B., Bajay, M.M., and Da Silva, A.S. (2024). Dietary Additive Combination for Dairy Calves After Weaning Has a Modulating Effect on the Profile of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in the Rumen and Fecal Microbiota. Fermentation, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/fermentation10100528"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gao, Y., Meng, L., Liu, H., Wang, J., and Zheng, N. (2020). The Compromised Intestinal Barrier Induced by Mycotoxins. Toxins, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/toxins12100619"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1186\/s40104-022-00714-2","article-title":"Nutritional impact of mycotoxins in food animal production and strategies for mitigation","volume":"13","author":"Xu","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Animal Sci Biotechnol"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"752","DOI":"10.4315\/0362-028X-45.8.752","article-title":"Aflatoxin: Toxicity to dairy cattle and occurrence in milk and milk products\u2014A review","volume":"45","author":"Applebaum","year":"1982","journal-title":"J. Food Prot."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jiang, Y., Ogunade, I.M., Vyas, D., and Adesogan, A.T. (2021). Aflatoxin in dairy cows: Toxicity, occurrence in feedstuffs and milk and dietary mitigation strategies. Toxins, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/toxins13040283"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.22271\/veterinary.2023.v8.i4Sa.621","article-title":"A review of aflatoxins in milk: Occurrence, toxicity and detection","volume":"8","author":"Soni","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Veter. Sci. Anim. Husb."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104071","DOI":"10.1016\/j.livsci.2020.104071","article-title":"Effects of partial substitution of barley with maize and sugar beet pulp on growth performance, rumen fermentation and microbial diversity shift of beef calves during transition from a milk and pasture regimen to a high concentrate diet","volume":"238","author":"Yuste","year":"2020","journal-title":"Livest. Sci."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"AOAC (1997). Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, AOAC International. [16th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3583","DOI":"10.3168\/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2","article-title":"Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition","volume":"74","author":"Robertson","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Dairy Sci."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e20180419","DOI":"10.1590\/0001-3765201920180419","article-title":"Effects of fed mycotoxin contaminated diets supplemented with spray-dried porcine plasma on cholinergic response and behavior in piglets","volume":"91","author":"Silva","year":"2019","journal-title":"An. Acad. Bras. Ci\u00eanc."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Kaneko, J.J., Harvey, J.W., and Bruss, M.L. (2008). Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, Academic Press. [6th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1016\/0891-5849(95)02043-8","article-title":"Improved analysis of malondialdehyde in human body fluids","volume":"20","author":"Jentzsch","year":"1996","journal-title":"Free Radic. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"241","article-title":"A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of reactive oxygen species in isolated mitochondria","volume":"13","author":"Ali","year":"1992","journal-title":"Free Radic. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"158","article-title":"Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characterization of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase","volume":"70","author":"Paglia","year":"1967","journal-title":"J. Lab. Clin. Med."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"819","DOI":"10.1111\/jpn.12890","article-title":"Metaphylactic effect of minerals on the immune response, biochemical variables and antioxidant status of newborn calves","volume":"102","author":"Tomasi","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"182","DOI":"10.1128\/aem.48.1.182-185.1984","article-title":"Evaluation of subsampling and fixation procedures used for counting rumen protozoa","volume":"48","author":"Dehority","year":"1984","journal-title":"Appl. Environ. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1186\/s43170-024-00305-3","article-title":"Aflatoxin risk in the era of climatic change\u2014A comprehensive review","volume":"5","author":"Bunny","year":"2024","journal-title":"CABI Agric. Biosci."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"4811","article-title":"Effects of yeast cell wall supplementation on inflammatory markers and performance of steers after transport","volume":"93","author":"Broadway","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Carpinelli, N.A., Halfen, J., Michelotti, T.C., Rosa, F., Trevisi, E., Chapman, J.D., Sharman, E.S., and Osorio, J.S. (2023). Yeast Culture Supplementation Effects on Systemic and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes\u2019 mRNA Biomarkers of Inflammation and Liver Function in Peripartal Dairy Cows. Animals, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13020301"},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Williams, A.G., and Coleman, G.S. (1992). The Ciliate Protozoa, Springer."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Newbold, C.J., de la Fuente, G., Williams, P.A., and McIlroy, S.G. (2015). The role of ciliate protozoa in the rumen: From background actors to featured role in microbiome research. Front. Microbiol., 6.","DOI":"10.3389\/fmicb.2015.01313"},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"442","article-title":"Rumen protozoa and viruses\u2014New insights into their diversity, function, and interactions","volume":"10","author":"Shang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Anim. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sun, J., Wang, Z., Yan, X., Zhao, Y., Tan, L., Miao, X., Zhao, R., Huo, W., Chen, L., and Li, Q. (2024). The study on the impact of indoleacetic acid on enhancing the ability of the rumen\u2019s original microecology to degrade aflatoxin B1. bioRxiv.","DOI":"10.1101\/2024.08.02.606440"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1155","DOI":"10.1071\/AN13492","article-title":"A review on the effects of mycotoxins in dairy ruminants","volume":"54","author":"Rodrigues","year":"2014","journal-title":"Anim. Prod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1620","DOI":"10.3168\/jds.2008-1414","article-title":"Meta-analysis of the influence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on ruminal parameters and milk production of ruminants","volume":"92","author":"Desnoyers","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Dairy Sci."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aninu.2020.10.005","article-title":"Influence of yeast on rumen fermentation, growth performance and quality of products in ruminants: A review","volume":"7","author":"Amin","year":"2021","journal-title":"Anim Nutr."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4397","DOI":"10.3168\/jds.2022-22656","article-title":"Use of a commercial feed supplement based on yeast products and microalgae with or without nucleotide addition in calves","volume":"106","author":"Maggiolino","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Dairy Sci."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"276","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physbeh.2007.11.045","article-title":"Dietary modulation of immune function by \u03b2-glucans","volume":"94","author":"Volman","year":"2008","journal-title":"Physiol. Behav."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"629","DOI":"10.1590\/S0102-695X2007000400024","article-title":"Produtos naturais de algas marinhas e seu potencial antioxidante","volume":"17","author":"Rocha","year":"2007","journal-title":"Rev. Bras. Farmacogn."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"625","DOI":"10.3390\/md9040625","article-title":"Microalgae as Sources of Carotenoids","volume":"9","author":"Guedes","year":"2011","journal-title":"Mar. Drugs"},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"38","article-title":"Strategies for the detoxification of mycotoxins","volume":"8","author":"Fesel","year":"2016","journal-title":"Toxins"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mafe, A.N., Nkene, I.H., Ali, A.B.M., Edo, G.I., Akpoghelie, P.O., Yousif, E., Isoje, E.F., Igbuku, U.A., Ismael, S.A., and Essaghah, A.E.A. (2025). Smart probiotic solutions for mycotoxin mitigation: Innovations in food safety and sustainable agriculture. Probiotics Antimicrob. Prot.","DOI":"10.1007\/s12602-025-10569-4"}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/16\/2\/219\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T15:13:46Z","timestamp":1768230826000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/16\/2\/219"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"references-count":44,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["ani16020219"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani16020219","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]}}}