Following the FAO definition, a probiotic is an orally administered live microorganism that, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. The most convenient and efficient way to ensure intestinal health for dogs is a daily administration of probiotics through their dry food.
Pet parents expect to have access to complete and balanced foods which maintain activity, promote an optimal body condition, support good health and long-lasting well-being for their furry companions. Evidence of digestive health is perceived by observing the right fecal consistency, alongside good evidence of vitality and appetite. Any health change noticed by pet parents will lead to a food-based claim or an immediate halt to the diet, with a switch for an undefined period to another brand. Hence for pet food manufacturers digestion issues are high on the preference claims list in relation to the dry food market.
Actisaf Sc50 PET, from strain selection to in home validation
Dr. Rodolphe Rabot, Phileo’s pet global species manager explains: “We designed Actisaf Sc50 PET after 4 years of research and development with universities, research centres and key industry partners. Based on our expertise in strainselection and petfood technology application, we have selected Actisaf Sc50 PET (CNCM 5660) a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast probiotic specifically formulated to address technological challenges in relation to pet foods. With unique characteristics to secure convenience and shelf life, Actisaf Sc50 PET has been specifically processed to blend easily and safely with powder palatants and allow post extrusion coating of dry food”.
“To be able to implement this application strategy," continues Cécile Sampsonis, R&D manager-roducts formulation at Phileo by Lesaffre, "we developed a specific process to produce Actisaf Sc50 PET with a micropearl form. Each micropearl, with an average of 500 microns, contains more than 4 000.000 active live probiotic cells each as there are 1E10 CFU of yeast per gramme of product. This micropearl form also helps to limit environmental exchanges with water and oxygen to enhance resistance. This unique patent pending form was developed thanks to a dedicated fermentation and drying process on a specific line of manufacturing used by Lesaffre and the company’s mastery of yeast production. Actisaf Sc50 PET has confirmed an exceptional flowability and being dust free compared to standard powder forms.”
This new generation probiotic has proven its health benefits backed up by extensive non-invasive trials in dogs, to fully respect animal welfare and strict ethics in cooperation with international experts and universities. Stability and viability are prerequisites to keep the micro-organisms alive until reaching the intestine of the dogs and deliver maximum benefits to the host and this, without hindering the palatability of the food. Actisaf Sc50 PET has a record-breaking viability of 18 months onto dry food, solving the challenge of stability of dry food. A versus test conducted on 40 dogs confirmed that the supplementation of Actisaf Sc50 PET does not modify the palatability of the kibbles.
“The probiotic has been tested in healthy adult dogs through several studies, continues Dr. Ashraf Adib Lesaux, R&D pet manager at Phileo. In these studies, a dietary transition model was used to create a physiological gut dysbiosis, designed to evaluate how the product shapes both microbiota composition and activity while also being representative of normal life conditions.
These studies confirmed:
- Actisaf Sc50 PET is safe and well-tolerated by dogs. Indeed, all dogs remained in very good health throughout the studies. No supplementation-related changes were found during the study in relation to hematology or clinical chemistry parameters. Body weights were maintained throughout the studies for all dogs.
- Actisaf Sc50 PET stimulates mucosal immunity, as proven by increase of fecal IgA.
- Actisaf Sc50 PET has a positive effect on fecal quality through the reduction of pH and of fecal putrefactive compounds produced by protein catabolism. Actisaf Sc50 PET can thus help to decrease issues related to dog fecal odor and support digestive hygiene.
- Actisaf Sc50 PET contributes to intestinal microbiota balance by favorably modulating bacterial populations (increase of beneficial bacteria and decrease of potential pathogenic bacteria), especially when the intestinal tract is challenged by diets.
Actisaf Sc50 PET was finally also validated by pet parents in their households. Phileo by Lesaffre indeed partnered with Panelis, a worldwide recognized partner, to carry out home-based studies on dogs, which were supplemented with Actisaf Sc50 PET for 3 weeks. One hundred and two dogs considered by their owners as digestion sensitive, were selected. The panel was well-balanced between males/females, dog size and pure breed/cross breed dogs at different ages. Based on a series of questions, asked to the dog parents, analysis was carried out to interpret the initial digestive condition of the study dogs, compared to their condition at different points in the treatment. The perceptions of the owners on the long term effects of Actisaf Sc50 PET were also assessed after three weeks of supplementation and three weeks after the end of supplementation. The study, in addition, showed the visible benefits on dog behavior according to their owners, allowing the study team to better understand owners’ interest in dietary supplementation.
Following the study, owners perceived an improvement in their dogs’ digestive health week after week, from the first week 63% of owners noticing an improvement when questioned at the end of the evaluation. These results were very significant, revealing not only a rapid improvement, but also the maintenance of this improvement even after the treatment ended. Actisaf Sc50 PET is clearly reaching the targeted action site quickly and displaying its benefits, this to the great satisfaction of pet parents.
Dog owners perceive that Actisaf Sc50 PET has a positive impact on the improvement of their pet’s general digestive health. Specific benefits mentioned are on stool consistency, appetite and the reduction of gas and belly sounds.
Thanks to its record-breaking viability of 18 months onto dry food, its proven benefits on overall digestive health and its positive evaluation by pet parents, Actisaf Sc50 PET allows pet food manufacturers to bring value to their diets and to contribute to the wellbeing of our furry friends.
Phileo is working on a comprehensive manual for pet food producers detailing guidelines about the use of probiotics in modern pet foods, the recent studies demonstrating the benefits of Actisaf Sc50 PET and its benefits for pet food producers. Phileo offers the user manual for download on their website. Reserve your copy https://phileo-lesaffre.com/en/actisaf-sc-50-pet/
Dog’s owners were asked: “During the past weeks, would you say that your dog's digestive health has been improved / deteriorated?” The improvement is welcomed by pet’s parents from the first week and increases week after week. 63% of them declare a positive effect on digestive health after 21 days.
