A dual function product

The whole Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast is activated by unique hydrolysis for effective modulation of microbiota and immunity. This results in improved feed efficiency and growth and reduced diarrhea risk.

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Overview — Progut®

Unique Activation

Patented yeast hydrolysate. Its specific acid hydrolysis process without separating the extract results in a high amount of soluble, bioactive yeast structures. These are available to the microbes and the immune system in the gut.

Dual Function

High content of soluble, molecular structures makes Progut® especially effective in modulating microbiota and immunity. Progut® has outstanding E. coli and Salmonella binding capacity and it beneficially modulates intestinal and rumen microbiota. This is combined with the ability to speed up the immune maturation of young animals helping them to cope better with challenges.

Aiming at better animal performance

Progut® has proven to bring consistent customer benefits. Trials have shown improved growth performance accross animal species and improved milk production in dairy cows.(*

Mode Of Action

Progut® supports immune responses to challenges and has beneficially influenced the intestinal microbiota.(*

How does the patented Progut® differ from the competing yeast products?

Microbes and animals have learned to co-exist and interact during the evolution. Biological functions between them are based on the molecular interactions. Size, shape and other physical properties of the molecules are of key importance for these ancient interactions also with yeast products.

Yeast cell wall contains mannoprotein, beta-glucan and chitin which all have a potential role in the gut. In an intact yeast cell these structures are cross-linked and weakly exposed to the microbes or immune cell receptors.

The cell wall components are opened and released for optimal availability to bacteria and immune cells by an optimized, unique acid hydrolysis process of Progut®. The patented whole yeast hydrolysate Progut® contains both high amounts of soluble oligosaccharides and the insoluble cell wall fraction.

This results in a product with outstanding amount of suitable molecular structures for bacterial and immunological interactions in the gut.

Supporting the immunity of young animals

Progut® contains several immune stimulating compounds (β-glucan, mannoprotein and chitin structures) and has increased water-solubility for better accessibility to immune receptors. It has shown to increase the recruitment of T-lymphocytes and the immunoglobulin production in the gut. Due to these functions, it has contributed to the immune responses of young animals under challenge. Progut® supports the immune system of young animals to cope better with the challenges.(*

Efficiently binds E. coli and Salmonella bacteria

Progut® contains similar carbohydrate structures, such as mannose-rich glycoproteins, as the intestinal mucus. These structures in available form provide attachment sites for the fimbriae of pathogens, thus preventing them from attaching to intestinal mucosa. Progut® has shown outstanding efficacy in preventing the adherence of E. coli and salmonella to intestinal mucus.

Beneficially modulates the gut microbiota

Progut® has shown to beneficially modulate the composition of gut microbiota in sows, piglets and broilers.

Progut® – the 3 in one patented yeast hydrolyzate

Published articles, monogastric animals:

Hasan, S., Junnikkala, S., Peltoniemi, O., Paulin, L., Lyyski, A., Vuorenmaa, J. and Oliviero, C. (2018) Dietary supplementation with yeast hydrolysate in pregnancy does influence colostrum yield, gut microbiota of sow and piglets after birth. In: Plos One.

Jensen, K., Damgaard, B., Andresen, L., Jørgensen, E. and Carstensen, E. (2013) Prevention of post weaning diarrhea by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived product based on whole yeast. In: Animal Feed Science and Technology 183: 29–39.

Kim, M., Seo, J., Yun, C. Kang, S., Ko, J. and Ha, J. (2011) Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation in calf starter on immune responses to vaccine challenge in neonatal calves. In: Animal 5: 953–960.

Molist, F., van Eerden E., Parmentier, H.K. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014) Effects of inclusion of hydrolyzed yeast on the immune response and performance of piglets after weaning. In: Animal Feed Science and Technology 195: 136–141.

Vaahtovuo, J., Korkeamäki, M., Munukka, E., Hämeenoja, P. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2007) Microbial balance index – a view on the intestinal microbiota. In: Livestock Science 109: 174–178.

Published articles, ruminants

Gaffney, D., Sheehy, M., Vuorenmaa, J. and Fahey, A. (2014) The effect of supplementing dairy cows with a hydrolyzed yeast product (ProgutRumen) on milk production and somatic cell scores (Abstract). In: Journal of Animal Science. Vol. 92, E-Suppl. 2/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 97, E-Suppl., 789.

Kettunen, H., Vuorenmaa, J., Gaffney, D. and Apajalahti, J. (2016) Yeast hydrolysate product enhances ruminal fermentation in vitro. In: Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition 4.

Meissner, H., Henning, P. Leeuw, K-J., Hagg, F., Horn, C., Kettunen, A. and Apajalahti, J. (2014) Efficacy and mode of action of selected non-ionophore antibiotics and direct-fed microbials in relation to Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 during in vitro fermentation of an acidosis-causing substrate. In: Livestock Science 162: 115–125.

Posters:

Gaffney D., Sheehy M., Vuorenmaa J., Fahey A. (2014) The effect of supplementing dairy cows with a hydrolyzed yeast product (ProgutRumen) on milk production and somatic cell scores. At: Joint Annual Meeting 2014, Kansas City, USA.

Hasan S., Junnikkala S., Peltoniemi O., Oliviero C. (2017): Dietary supplementation of pregnancy diet with yeast derivate can influence colostrum yield, colostrum composition and gut microbiota. At: Gut Health Symposium 2017, St Louis, USA.

Hasan, S., Peltoniemi, O., Vuorenmaa, J., Oliviero, C. (2019). Use of antibiotics at early age can affect the gut microbiota composition and diversity in one -week old piglets. At: 11th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2019, Utrecht, The Netherlands. (Poster)

Hasan, S., Valkonen, E., Kettunen,H., Vuorenmaa, J. (2019). A unique hydrolyzed yeast product can prevent postweaning diarrhea in Escherichia coli-susceptible piglets. At: Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals 2019, St. Louis, USA. (Presentation, Abstract)

Molist, F., van Eerden, E., Parmentiers, H. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014). Effects of inclusion of hydrolyzed yeast on the immune response and performance of piglets after weaning. At: The 6th European Symposium on Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) 2014, Sorrento, Italy.

Oliviero C, Hasan S, Junnikkala S, Peltoniemi O. (2016) Effect of a late pregnancy diet supplemented with hydrolysed yeast on sow colostrum yield and its composition. At: European Symposium of Domestic Animal Reproduction 2016, Lisbon, Portugal.

Vaahtovuo, J., Korkeamaki, M., Munukka, E., Valaja, J., Venalainen, E., Vuorenmaa, J., Hameenoja, E. and Helander, E. (2006). Intestinal microbiota and feed design. At: the 12th European Poultry Congress 2006, Verona, Italy.

Safety & Quality

Production: Safety & Quality

Progut® is produced at two production facilities: in Nastola (Finland) and in Brazil.

Production process grants a stable content of the bio-active compounds

A feed material status in European Union, registered in several countries beyond EU

GMP+ certified (Nastola)

Strict internal and external quality control

*References:

– Jensen, K., Damgaard, B., Andresen, L., Jørgensen, E. and Carstensen, E. (2013) Prevention of post weaning diarrhea by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae derived product based on whole yeast. Animal Feed Science and Technology 183: 29–39.
– Molist, F., van Eerden E., Parmentier, H.K. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014) Effects of inclusion of hydrolyzed yeast on the immune response and performance of piglets after weaning. Animal Feed Science and Technology 195: 136–141.
– Middekoop, A., Kettunen, H., Guan, X., Vuorenmaa, J., Tichelaar, R., Gambino, M., Rydal, M. and Molist, F. (2024) Effect of dietary tall oil fatty acids and hydrolysed yeast in SNP2‑positive and SNP2‑negative piglets challenged with F4 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Scientific Reports 14:2060
– Hasan, S., Junnikkala, S., Peltoniemi, O., Paulin, L., Lyyski, A., Vuorenmaa, J. and Oliviero, C. (2018) Dietary supplementation with yeast hydrolysate in pregnancy does influence colostrum yield, gut microbiota of sow and piglets after birth. PLoS ONE 13(5)
– Oliviero C, Hasan S, Junnikkala S, Peltoniemi O. (2016) Effect of a late pregnancy diet supplemented with hydrolysed yeast on sow colostrum yield and its composition. At: European Symposium of Domestic Animal Reproduction 2016, Lisbon, Portugal.
– Kim, M., Seo, J., Yun, C. Kang, S., Ko, J. and Ha, J. (2011) Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation in calf starter on immune responses to vaccine challenge in neonatal calves. Animal 5: 953–960.
– Gaffney D., Sheehy M., Vuorenmaa J., Fahey A. (2014) The effect of supplementing dairy cows with a hydrolyzed yeast product (ProgutRumen) on milk production and somatic cell scores. At: Joint Annual Meeting 2014, Kansas City, USA. Abstract in: Journal of Animal Science. Vol. 92
– Savary P. 2009. Welche Wirkung hat der Einsatz der Hefeeinsatz auf die Leistungsfähigkeit von Hochleistungskühen unter Schweizer Bedingungen? Diplomarbeit Schweizerische Hochschule für Landwirtschaft.
– Pirinen, E. 2026. Hiivahydrolysaatin vaikutukset luomulehmien maidontuotantoon ja maidon solulukuun. At Maataloustieteen päivät 2026 (poster)
– Kettunen, H., Vuorenmaa, J., and Jintasataporn, O. (2024) Yeast hydrolysate improved the performance, survival rate and immunity of Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). At: Aqua 2024 Copenhagen Denmark.
– Kettunen, H., Vuorenmaa, J., and Jintasataporn, O. (2025) Dietary yeast hydrolysate improved the performance of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) in juvenile and grower stages. At: EAS2025.
– Valkonen, E., Kettunen, H., Hasan, S., Vuorenmaa, J., Chumkam, S., Jintasataporn, O. (2020) Saccharomyces cerevisiae -hydrolysate improved performance of Asian sea bass. Abstract 28.06 at the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) virtual meeting 1-4 December 2020. (Poster)

– Kim, M., Seo, J., Yun, C. Kang, S., Ko, J. and Ha, J. (2011) Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation in calf starter on immune responses to vaccine challenge in neonatal calves. Animal 5: 953–960.
– Molist, F., van Eerden E., Parmentier, H.K. and Vuorenmaa, J. (2014) Effects of inclusion of hydrolyzed yeast on the immune response and performance of piglets after weaning. Animal Feed Science and Technology 195: 136–141.
– Al-Abdullatif, A., Alhotan, R., Al-Badwi, M-, Dong, X., Kettunen H., Vuorenmaa, J. Sakr, S. and Azzam, M. 2024. E􀀀ects of hydrolyzed yeast on growth performance, intestinal redox homeostasis, and woody breast myopathy in heat-stressed broilers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11:1484150.
– Hasan, S., Junnikkala, S., Peltoniemi, O., Paulin, L., Lyyski, A., Vuorenmaa, J. and Oliviero, C. (2018) Dietary supplementation with yeast hydrolysate in pregnancy does influence colostrum yield, gut microbiota of sow and piglets after birth. PLoS ONE 13(5)