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The products orgacell sc® 5/10 and orgacell sc® mb from jbs contain a significant amount of the live yeast Actisaf®. With the recommended dosage of 20 g per day, animals receive part inactivated yeast and four times as much live yeast as the minimum content required under EU regulation. And for good reason. At this higher dosage, not only is fiber digestion improved, but there is also a general “tuning” of the microbial conversion of feed into volatile fatty acids.
From fiber to energy
The intensified fiber breakdown leads to a significantly higher production of acetic acid. The shift in the overall microbial population also results in increased production of volatile fatty acids such as butyric and propionic acid. The animal can use all of these metabolic products for energy. Propionic acid, which is mainly absorbed in the rumen, is converted in the liver into glucose, a universal energy source. Acetic and butyric acid can also be used for energy, either directly in the cells or via the liver. In addition, both are used for the synthesis of body fat and milk fat.
Lactic acid becomes energy source propionic acid
The only acid that is undesirable in large amounts is lactic acid, because it lowers the pH value. However, when using orgacell sc® products, two things happen: first, the number of lactic acid “consuming” bacteria increases, and second, more lactic acid is converted into beneficial propionic acid. This happens because the live yeast metabolizes oxygen, which interferes with rumen processes. This produces free hydrogen molecules that are needed for the conversion of lactic acid into propionic acid. In the end, all bacteria benefit—only the lactic acid–producing species lose out. But that is exactly the positive tuning effect for the rumen and the cow.
