Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast made from sugarcane and beet molasses. It has a nutty, cheesy flavor and is commonly used as a nutritional supplement or cheese substitute. The production of nutritional yeast involves seeding saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, cultivating it under controlled conditions, harvesting the yeast cream, fortifying it with vitamins, and drying it into flakes or powder. Nutritional yeast is high in protein, B vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. While beneficial for these nutrients, it may cause side effects like allergic reactions in rare cases.

1. Nutritional Yeast
(Dietary yeast)

2. Introduction
Common names
• In Australia, it is sometimes sold as Savoury yeast flakes.
• In New Zealand, it has long been known as Brufax.
• In the United States it is sometimes referred to as Hippie dust, Nooch or Yeshi.
• Nutritional yeast usually refers to commercial products.
• Scientific form: Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Nutritional Yeast is an inactive yeast made from sugarcane and beet molasses.
• It is also known as sugar-eating fungus because the yeast cells use the sugar for
energy.

3. Characteristics
• Yellow in color, fine texture and specific smell.
• Comes in flakes, granules or a powder-like form and is often found as
a condiment due to its savory taste and health benefits.
• Has a nutty, cheesy flavor and is often used to emulate cheese
in vegan dishes, thicken sauces and dressings, and act as an additional boost
in nutrients because it’s filled with B vitamins.
• Nutritional yeast is grown from fungi, like mushrooms and cordyceps, but
much smaller.
• An inactive form of yeast so it cannot be used for baking.

4. Chemical Composition (g/kg DM)
• Dry matter (g/kg) 951.6
• Organic matter 962.4
• Ash 37.6
• Crude protein 410.3
• Rumen degradable protein (g/kg CP) 328.2
• Ether Extract 1.8
• Carbohydrates 550.3

5. Minerals and Vitamins (per 2tp of NY)
• Thiamine (B1) 640% DV
• Riboflavin (B2) | 570% DV
• Niacin (B3) | 280% DV
• B6 | 480% DV
• Folate | 60% DV

6. Steps in the Production of Nutritional Yeast
Step 1: Seeding
• Nutritional yeast production begins with a pure parent yeast culture of saccharomyces cerevisiae. The seed
yeast is typically grown in a sterile environment and eventually transferred to a container where it will
be cultivated.
Step 2: Cultivation
• During the cultivation process, it is important to control the temperature and pH of the yeast in order
to create the optimal growing conditions. The yeast is given a purified medium of nutrients and air.
Step 3: Harvesting
• Once the growing process is complete, the fermented yeast liquid is passed through a process
that concentrates the yeast cells. The result is an off-white liquid called nutritional yeast cream.

7. Steps in the Production of Nutritional Yeast
Step 4: Fortification
• The cream is then pasteurized, making the yeast inactive. This is the point at
which fortification may occur, such as the addition of vitamin B12,
ultimately enhancing the nutritional profile of the yeast.
Step 5: Drying
• The yeast is dried and sized into flakes, powder or granules similar to
cornmeal.

8. Benefits of Nutritional Yeast
• Nutritional yeast is a good alternative protein source to soybean meal in diets for animals such as
goats, because it does not affect the DM and nutrient intake and digestibility, or the nutritive value of
diets.
• For animal feeding, this is a good source of nutrients such as protein, vitamins (B vitamins,
especially), minerals (iron, zinc, and selenium), carbohydrates that make up the cell wall (200 to 400
g/kg), and a significant amount of nucleotides High levels of B-complex vitamins found in
nutritional yeast.
• Dry yeast can have from 400 g/kg to 550 g/kg of crude protein, on a dry matter (DM) basis.
• It may be a good source of protein to replace traditional protein sources (e.g., soybean meal).
• Preserve immune function.
• Holds Anti-bacterial and Anti-viral properties.
• Improve digestion.

9. Side effects
• Nutritional yeast is normally characterized by its very fine texture and specific smell, which may
interfere with parameters such as dry matter intake (DMI).
• This strain of yeast contains glutamic acid, which is MSG and MSG has can cause to obesity and
brain damage etc.
• Brewers Yeast can be harmful to dogs in large doses and lead to chronic ear infections.
• Nutritional yeast and Candida go hand in hand, inadequate consumption will lead to the
occurrence of candidiasis.
• In case of cats, Increased uric acid in the urine which can lead to kidney disease in the long run.
• Skin rashes in rare cases.
• Some animals might be allergic to Nutritional yeast.

10. References
• Industrial Exploitation Of Microorganisms. New Delhi: I.K. International Pub.
House. 2010. p. 6. ISBN 9789380026534.
• "Nutritional Yeast". bestnaturalfoods.com. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
• Jump up^ "THE 5 STEPS IN MANUFACTURING NUTRITIONAL
YEAST". Lessafre Human Care. Retrieved 14 December 2011.