# Yeast-Derived Postbiotics for Prevention of Enteric Diseases in Farm Animals: Current Insights and Future Perspectives

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how yeast-derived postbiotics can help prevent gut diseases in farm animals, offering a sustainable alternative to antibiotics.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and applications of yeast-derived postbiotics in livestock health.

## Key findings

- Yeast-derived postbiotics improve gut health by modulating immunity and inhibiting pathogens.
- Bioactive components like β-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides show promise in enhancing intestinal barrier function.
- Challenges remain in standardizing postbiotic formulations and optimizing their use across different livestock species.

## Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance represents a growing global issue, particularly in livestock, where enteric infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria threaten both animal health and farm productivity. Postbiotics offer a safe and promising alternative to manage these infections. Specifically, yeast-derived postbiotics contain a variety of bioactive compounds that support gut health through immunomodulation, inhibition of pathogens, and strengthening of intestinal barrier function. This review provides an overview of current research on yeast-derived postbiotics and highlights their potential role in promoting sustainable livestock health, while identifying challenges and areas for future investigation.

Enteric diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and economic loss in livestock production, and the search for effective, antibiotic-free alternatives has intensified in recent years. Among emerging strategies, yeast-derived postbiotics—non-viable microbial cells and their metabolites—have gained attention for their potential to enhance gut health and disease resistance in farm animals. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the composition, mechanisms of action, and practical applications of yeast postbiotics, particularly those derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related species. Key bioactive components, such as β-glucans, mannan oligosaccharides, peptides, and organic acids, are discussed in the context of their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and pathogen-inhibitory properties. Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies across multiple livestock species—including poultry, swine, and ruminants—demonstrates beneficial effects on intestinal barrier function, microbial balance, and performance under disease-challenged conditions. Despite promising outcomes, challenges remain in standardizing postbiotic preparations, elucidating dose–response relationships, and tailoring applications to species-specific needs and production systems. This review highlights the potential of yeast postbiotics as a sustainable tool in enteric disease management and outlines research priorities for their broader implementation in animal agriculture.