June 18th, 2020

by Jimmy Fu
Yeast has a long history of application in human nutrition. About 4000 years ago, ancient Egyptians had started to use yeast to make bread. Archaeologists exploring Egyptian heritage sites found early grinding stones and baking chambers for making yeasted bread as well as drawings of 4000-year-old bakeries and breweries(shows in below picture).

As early as the Yin and Shang dynasties, ancient Chinese had started to use yeast to brew liquor(Below picture shows ancient Chinese liquor cup). In the Han Dynasty Chinese began using yeast to make steamed bread and other pastries.

But at that time, people did not realize that it was yeast played the key role of fermentation. It was not until the 18th century, Louis Pasteur found that yeast played a key role in fermentation, then a new chapter of yeast application in human nutrition was opened.

The application of yeast in human nutrition can be roughly divided into four fields: Yeast whole-cell nutrition, yeast bio-transformation, yeast functional extracts and yeast probiotics.

1. Yeast Whole-cell Nutrition

Yeast is a single-celled microorganism whose nutritional composition are similar to human body. By absorbing nutrients, yeast can transform them into cells and becomes a nutritious and balanced healthy food. The nutrition characters of yeast can be summarized in 3 'Less' & 4 'Excellent'. It is rich in high-quality protein, complete B vitamins, essential minerals and dietary fiber, while has the characteristics of less content of fat, calories and cholesterol comparing to normal foods.

3 'Less' & 4 'Excellent' characters of Yeast Nutrition

Angel developed nutritional yeast products specifically for human health. With carefully screened strains and patented process, it can ensure to provide adequate nutrition. Different from normal beer yeast or brewing yeast, Angel nutritional yeast is more suitable for human health since the nutrients in yeast are abundant and can be easily absorbed by human beings.

In western countries such as Europe and the United States, nutritional yeast is a common food and has been trusted by consumers for decades for targeted benefits and overall health. Angel nutritional yeast is very suitable for the nutritional needs of modern people and is an ideal raw material for the functional foods such as diet foods and snack foods.

2. Yeast Bio-transformation

As a natural and nutritional food source, yeast replicates the mineral transformation process performed by most plants (i.e. garlic, broccoli). This natural plant process converts inorganic (low bioavailability, potentially toxic) minerals to safer organic (high bioavailability) forms for improved nutrient utilization.

Yeast replicates the mineral conversion process performed by plants

During the fermentation process, yeast transform the inorganic elements into organic form, which reduces the irritation and toxicity and improves the bioavailability. Angel developed selenium yeast, zinc yeast and chromium yeast, which have been widely used in dietary supplements, functional foods, dairy products, beverages and other fields.

3. Yeast Functional Extracts

As a whole cell, yeast can be enriched with various functional actives through optimization and adjustment of the fermentation process, these functional actives, such as yeast beta-glucan, yeast peptides, nucleic acids and glutathione, can be extracted and then applied to functional foods.

For example, Angel yeast beta-glucan is a kind of active polysaccharides mainly exists in the yeast cell wall. Different from beta-glucan sourced from barley, oat or mushroom, the unique molecular structure of yeast beta-glucan makes it have multiple functions such as immune enhancement and anti-infection. It has been approved as a novel food ingredient by many countries and can be applied in baby foods, dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, etc.

Comparing of different beta-glucan sources

4. Yeast Probiotics

Yeast can also be used as probiotics. Discovered in the 1920s and after nearly a century of research, Saccharomyces Boulardii has been found to have a significant effect on anti-diarrhea caused by various factors. Certain strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can also maintain the balance of intestinal flora.

Angel Saccharomyces Boulardii are widely used as probiotics all around the world. Angel has also developed its own yeast probiotics product in the brand of Angel Nutritech. Used widely by consumers all around China, the product has fantastic market feedbacks.

Angel Nutritech probiotics won Nutraingredients Asia Award 2019

AHH(Angel Human Healht) will keep digging deeper into the yeast nutrition, developing more yeast-based functional food ingredients and providing value-added and scientifically proven solutions to human nutrition industry.

About Angel Human Health：

Specialized in yeast and fermentation, AHH is committed to developing innovative, differentiated, science-based functional ingredients and customized solutions, to help our customers get enduring success, as well as contribute to a healthier and sustainable world together.

About Angel:

Angel Yeast Company is a high-tech listed company specializing in yeast and biotech. Product business covers Yeast and Baking, Yeast Extract-Savoury, Nutrition & Health and Biotechnology fields. It is one of the world's leading companies in the yeast industry. Angel has 12 holding subsidiaries and provides products and services for more than 150 countries and regions.

Press Contact:

ANGEL YEAST CO., LTD.

Address: 168 Chengdong Avenue, Yichang, Hubei 443003, P.R.China

Tel: +86 717 6369570

Email: Nutritech@angelyeast.com