Yucca schidigera (YS) is a species of plants that grows in abundance in the southwestern United Staes and northern Mexico. YS contains a variety of phytochemicals such as saponins, polyphenols, and resveratrol. These phytochemicals have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.

Saponins

Saponins have surfactant properties and when ingested can affect intestinal permeability, facilitate nutrient absorption, and benefit beneficial intestinal microbes.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols act as antioxidants. This means they can neutralize harmful free radicals that might otherwise damage cells and increase the risk of cancer or other disease.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties.

Supplementation of Yucca Schidigera to Livestock

Benefits have been found to include:

• Improved feed conversion and growth of chicks.
• Enhanced vaccine efficacy.
• Reduced antimicrobial treatments for BRD infected cattle.
• Positive effects on growth and feed efficiency, as well as health in nursery pigs, sheep, and laying quails.
• YS saponins inhibit rumen ciliate protozoa. Elimination of ciliate protozoa increases microbial protein supply by up to 30% reduces methane production up to 11%.
• Increased serum IgA and IgG concentrations in pre-weaned calves.
• Improved antioxidant capacity of pre-weaned calves.
• Decreased diarrhea in pre-weaned calves.
• Increased feed utilization in calves.

At MicroBasics we have harnessed the power of YS in many of our livestock formulas. Visit our on-line store to learn more!

Sources:

1. Effects of quillaja and yucca saponins on communities and select populations of rumen bacteria and archaea, and fermentation in vitro.

10. Appl. Microbiol.2012; 113(22925153): 1329-1340 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05440.x

2. Dietary manipulation to reduce aerial ammonia concentrations in nursery pig facilities. J. Anim. Sci. 2001; 79 (11811465): 3096-3103

https://doi.org/10.2527/2001.79123096x

3. Evaluation of Yucca schidigera extract as feed additive on performance of broiler chicks in winter season.

Vet. World. 2015; 8 (27047134): 556-560

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2015.556-560

4. The Role of Ciliate Protozoa in the Rumen – PubMed (nih.gov)

5. Supplementation with Yucca schidigera improves antioxidant capability and immune function and decreases fecal score of dairy calves before weaning – Journal of Dairy Science

6. Enhanced immune responses of chickens to oral vaccination against infectious bursal disease by ginseng stem-leaf saponins. Poult. Sci. 93:2473–2481. doi: 10.3382/ps.2014-04056

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.