WO2023148154A1 - Aquaculture feed - Google Patents

Aquaculture feed Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023148154A1
WO2023148154A1 PCT/EP2023/052287 EP2023052287W WO2023148154A1 WO 2023148154 A1 WO2023148154 A1 WO 2023148154A1 EP 2023052287 W EP2023052287 W EP 2023052287W WO 2023148154 A1 WO2023148154 A1 WO 2023148154A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
feed composition
aquaculture feed
measured
aquaculture
fatty acids
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PCT/EP2023/052287
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Carr
Ester SANTIGOSA CULI
Original Assignee
Dsm Ip Assets B.V.
Evonik Operations Gmbh
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Application filed by Dsm Ip Assets B.V., Evonik Operations Gmbh filed Critical Dsm Ip Assets B.V.
Publication of WO2023148154A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023148154A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K50/00—Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for particular animals
    • A23K50/80—Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for particular animals for aquatic animals, e.g. fish, crustaceans or molluscs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K20/00—Accessory food factors for animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K20/10—Organic substances
    • A23K20/158—Fatty acids; Fats; Products containing oils or fats
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23V—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION
    • A23V2002/00—Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance.
  • the invention further concerns a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding farmed fish an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance of the farmed fish.
  • the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to the breed of the fish, and the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
  • Aquaculture is a form of agriculture that involves the propagation, cultivation and marketing of aquatic animals and plants in a controlled environment.
  • the aquaculture industry is currently the fastest growing food production sector in the world.
  • World aquaculture produces approximately 60 million tons of seafood, which is worth more than $70 billion (US) annually.
  • US $70 billion
  • Today, farmed fish accounts for approximately 50% of all fish consumed globally. This percentage is expected to increase as a result of dwindling catches from capture fisheries in both marine and freshwater environments and increasing seafood consumption (i.e. , total and per capita).
  • the feed for carnivorous fish comprises fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild caught species of small pelagic fish (predominantly anchovy, jack mackerel, blue whiting, capelin, sandeel and menhaden). These pelagic fish are processed into fishmeal and fish oil, with the final product often being either a pelleted or flaked feed, depending on the size of the fish.
  • the other components of the aquaculture feed composition may include vegetable protein, vitamins, minerals and pigment as required.
  • Marine fish oils have traditionally been used as the sole dietary lipid source in commercial fish feed given their ready availability, competitive price and the abundance of essential fatty acids contained within this product. Additionally, fish oils readily supply essential fatty acids which are required for regular growth, health, reproduction and bodily functions within fish.
  • n-3 PLIFA include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), and o-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3), whilst arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) and linoleic acid (LOA; 18:2n-6) are n-6 PLIFA. More specifically, all vertebrate species, including fish, have a dietary requirement for both omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PLIFAs"].
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid ["EPA”; cis-5, 8,11 ,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid; omega-3] and docosahexaenoic acid ["OHA”; c/s-4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19-docosahexaenoic acid; 22:6 omega-3] are required for fish growth and health and are often incorporated into commercial fish feeds via addition of fish oils.
  • Vegetable oils are one of the alternatives, but these are high in Omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids and low in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Omega-3 (n-3), disrupting fish health and product quality.
  • Dietary requirements of EFA vary by factors, such as species, life stage and health status of animals. Compared to controlled conditions such as laboratory trials, EFA requirements in farm conditions differ greatly. This is because farmed fish are exposed to environmental stressors such as a large number of animals, diseases. Pathogens in the farming environment can infect fish, resulting in high mortalities. However, fish response to diseases and infections can be enhanced through optimum nutrition, resulting in economic savings through increased productivity and lower costs of disease management. Dietary requirements of EFA under farm conditions differ from requirements for growth and health response in lab trials.
  • the present invention relates to a feed intended for intake by farmed aquatic animals, said feed comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA.
  • the present invention relates to a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding a farmed fish, a feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating a feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
  • the present invention relates to the use of an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance.
  • Aquaculture is the practice of farming aquatic animals and plants. It involves cultivating an aquatic product (e.g., freshwater and saltwater animals) under controlled conditions. It involves growing and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in fresh, brackish or salt water.
  • an aquatic product e.g., freshwater and saltwater animals
  • Organisms grown in aquaculture may include fish and crustaceans.
  • Crustaceans are, for example, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, prawns and crayfish.
  • the farming of finfish is the most common form of aquaculture.
  • a facility that releases juvenile fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species' natural numbers is generally referred to as a fish hatchery.
  • fish of the salmonid group for example, cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus rnasou), Chinook salmon (0. tshawytscha), chum salmon (0. keta), coho salmon (0. kisutch), pink salmon (0. gorbuscha), sockeye salmon (0. nerka) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).
  • finfish of interest for aquaculture include, but are not limited to, various trout, as well as whitefish such as tilapia (including various species of Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia), sea bass, catfish (order Siluri-formes), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), carp (family Cyprinidae) and cod (Gadus).
  • whitefish such as tilapia (including various species of Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia), sea bass, catfish (order Siluri-formes), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), carp (family Cyprinidae) and cod (Gadus).
  • Aquaculture typically requires a prepared aquaculture feed composition to meet dietary requirements of the cultured animals. Dietary requirements of different aquaculture species vary, as do the dietary requirements of a single species during different stages of growth. Thus, tremendous research is invested towards optimizing each aquaculture feed composition for each stage of growth of a cultured organism.
  • Aquaculture feed compositions are composed of micro and macro components. In general, all components, which are used at levels of more than 1 %, are considered as macro components. Feed ingredients used at levels of less than 1 % are micro components. They are premixed to achieve a homogeneous distribution of the micro components in the complete feed. Both macro and micro ingredients are subdivided into components with nutritional functions and technical functions.
  • the aquaculture feed composition should ideally provide the fish with: 1) fats, which serve as a source of fatty acids for energy (especially for heart and skeletal muscles); and, 2) amino acids, which serve as building blocks of proteins. Fats also assist in vitamin absorption; for example, vitamins A, K, D, E and K are fat-soluble or can only be digested, absorbed, and transported in conjunction with fats. Carbohydrates, typically of plant origin (e.g., wheat, sunflower meal, com gluten, soybean meal), are also often included in the feed compositions, although carbohydrates are not a superior energy source for fish over protein or fat.
  • Fats are typically provided via incorporation of fish meals (which contain a minor amount of fish oil) and fish oils into the aquaculture feed compositions.
  • Extracted oils that may be used in aquaculture feed compositions include fish oils (e.g., from the oily fish menhaden, anchovy, herring, capelin and cod liver), and vegetable oil (e.g., from soybeans, rapeseeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds).
  • fish oil is the preferred oil, because it contains the long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PLIFAs"], EPA and DHA; in contrast, vegetable oils do not provide a source of EPA and/or DHA.
  • PLIFAs are needed for growth and health of most aquaculture products.
  • a typical aquaculture feed composition will comprise from about 15-30% of oil (e.g., fish, vegetable, etc.), measured as a weight percent of the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the protein supplied in aquaculture feed compositions can be of plant or animal origin.
  • protein of animal origin can be from marine animals (e.g., fish meal, fish oil, fish protein, krill meal, mussel meal, shrimp peel, squid meal, squid oil, etc.) or land animals (e.g., blood meal, egg powder, liver meal, meat meal, meat and bone meal, silkworm, pupae meal, whey powder, etc.).
  • Protein of plant origin can include soybean meal, corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, cottonseed meal, canola meal, sunflower meal, rice and the like.
  • macro components can be overlapping as, for example, wheat gluten may be used as a pelleting aid and for its protein content, which has a relatively high nutritional value.
  • wheat gluten may be used as a pelleting aid and for its protein content, which has a relatively high nutritional value.
  • guar gum and wheat flour can also be mentioned.
  • Micro components include feed additives such as vitamins, trace minerals, feed antibiotics and other biologicals. Minerals used at levels of less than 100 mg/kg (100 ppm) are considered as micro minerals or trace minerals. Micro components with nutritional functions are all biologicals and trace minerals. They are involved in biological processes and are needed for good health and high performance. There can be mentioned additional vitamins such as vitamins A, K3, D3, B1 , B3, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, panthothenic acid, nicotinic acid, choline chloride, inositol and para-amino-benzoic acid. There can be mentioned minerals such as salts of calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc. Other components may include, but are not limited to, antioxidants, beta-glucans, bile salt, cholesterol, enzymes, monosodium glutamate, carotenoids, etc.
  • micro ingredients are mainly related to pelleting, detoxifying, mold prevention, antioxidation, etc.
  • the present invention improves resistance to stress throughout the production cycle of farmed aquatic animals. This includes, but is not limited to enhanced immune system, better response to pathogens, better adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness and wound healing and increased flesh quality. Further, improved fish health contributes to the control of a broad range of diseases, such as salmon reovirus (ASRV) infection, one of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases in Atlantic salmon farms.
  • ASRV salmon reovirus
  • the present invention relates to a feed intended for intake by farmed aquatic animals, said feed comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA.
  • the optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA may be added to the feed in the form of an oil or a mixture of oils selected from the group consisting of fish oil, microbial oil and one or more vegetable oil(s).
  • the oil comprising the at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA may be derived from a microbial source or a vegetable source.
  • the oil is an oil obtained from an algae, fungi or yeast.
  • Preferred microbes are Thraustochytrids which are microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. Thraustochytrids include members of the genus Schizochytrium and Thraustochytrium and have been recognized as an alternative source of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA. See U.S. Patent No. 5,130,242.
  • the microorganism is a mutant strain of the species Schizochytrium. Schizochytrium strains are natural sources of PLIFAs such as DHA and can be optimized by mutagenesis to be used as microbial source according to the present invention.
  • an aquaculture feed composition of the invention will begin with a microbial fermentation, wherein a particular microorganism is cultured under conditions that permit growth and production of microbial oils comprising DHA, preferably EPA and DHA.
  • the microbial cells are harvested from the fermentation vessel.
  • This microbial biomass may be mechanically processed using various means, such as dewatering, drying, mechanical disruption, pelletization, etc.
  • the oil extracted from the biomass is supplemented with the appropriate amounts of fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA and used as an ingredient in an aquaculture feed (preferably as a substitute for at least a portion of the fish oil used in standard aquaculture feed compositions).
  • the aquaculture feed is then fed to aquatic animals over a portion of their lifetime.
  • an aquaculture feed according to the invention can be made as described in example 2.
  • Water-soluble vitamins may be added to the main raw materials from which the aquaculture feed, such as in the form of extruded feed is produced.
  • Oil may be supplemented with the appropriate amount to reach the final concentrations of fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA in the feed as defined above and applied to the surface of the feed by spraying the oil onto the surface of the feed, or dipping the feed in the oil.
  • the concentration of EPA in the feed is between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, most preferably between 3 and 6 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of DHA in the feed is between 2 and 20 %, preferably between 2 and 18 %, most preferably between 3 and 16% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of arachidonic acid in the feed is between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0 and 4 %, most preferably between 0 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of LOA in the feed is between 5 and 30 %, preferably between 5 and 27 %, most preferably between 7 and 24 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of LNA in the feed is between 5 and 20 %, preferably between 5 and 17 %, most preferably between 6 and 15 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the lipid content in aquaculture feeds typically ranges from about 5 - 40%, preferably 10 - 30%.
  • the lipid content in some aquaculture feeds may be significantly higher, such as 30-40% in salmon feed or lower, such as 7-8% in shrimp feed. Roughly 90% of lipids are fatty acids.
  • the concentration of EPA in the feed is between 0.15 and 3 %, preferably between 0.2 and 2.5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of DHA in the feed is between 0.15 and 6 %, preferably between 0.2 and 5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of arachidonic acid in the feed is between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0 and 2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of LOA in the feed is between 4 and 8.5 %, preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the concentration of LNA in the feed is between 4 and 5.5 %, preferably between 4 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 5 and 15 %, preferably between 6 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 7 and 10 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 .3 and 5 %, preferably between 1.5 and 5.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 0.75 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 4 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 - 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 - 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 - 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 - 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 - 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and
  • 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 1 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 - 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 - 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 - 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 - 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 - 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is ashrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 20 and 30 %, preferably between 22 and 27 %, more preferably between 23 and 26 %, most preferably between 23 and 25 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 2.5 %, preferably between 1.2 and 2.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.06 and 0.75 %, preferably between 0.06 and 0.6 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0.06 and 0.55 %, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 2.5 %, preferably between 1.2 and 2.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.06 and 0.75 %, preferably between
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 10 and 20 %, preferably between 7 and 18 %, more preferably between 10 and 17 %, most preferably between 12 and 17%, most preferably between 14 and 16 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c.
  • the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 10 and 20 %, preferably between 7 and 18
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.06 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.3 and 1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.6 and 1 .3 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d.
  • the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.06 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.3 and 1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.6 and 1 .3 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. f.
  • a. between 0 and 0.1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA
  • b. between 0.1 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA
  • c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 1 and 10g and selected from d. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, e. between 0.1 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and f. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 10 and 40g and selected from g. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, h. between 0.1 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and i. between 0.2 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed is an extruded feed pellet or a pressed feed pellet. In a more preferred aspect, the aquaculture feed is a coated pellet.
  • the present invention relates to the use of an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance.
  • the present invention relates to a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding a farmed fish, a feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating a feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
  • the method of improving stress resistance in farmed salmon comprises feeding farmed salmon during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight respectively.
  • the stages of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight may be selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g e) a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and f) a body weight between 2000 and 5000g.
  • the method my further comprise feeding farmed salmon during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weighty.
  • the method of improving stress resistance in shrimp comprises feeding said farmed shrimp during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the shtimp as determined by its weight respectively.
  • the stages of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight are selected from g) a body weight between 0.1 and 1 g, h) a body weight between 1 and 10 g i) a body weight between 10 and 40 g.
  • the method my further comprise feeding farmed shrimp during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight.
  • the method of improving stress resistance in seabream comprises feeding said farmed seabream during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight respectively.
  • the stages of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g.
  • the method my further comprise feeding farmed seabream during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight.
  • the method of improving stress resistance in European sea bass comprises feeding said farmed European sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight respectively.
  • the stages of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g and d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g.
  • the method my further comprise feeding farmed European sea bass during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight.
  • the method of improving stress resistance in Asian sea bass comprises feeding said farmed Asian sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight respectively.
  • the stages of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g and e) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
  • the method my further comprise feeding farmed Asian sea bass during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight.
  • the method of improving stress resistance in Yellowtail Kingfish comprises feeding said farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight respectively.
  • the stages of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 1000g and d) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
  • the method my further comprise feeding farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight.
  • the method of producing a meat product comprises the step of formulating a feed composition, wherein the feed is an extruded feed pellet or a pressed feed pellet.
  • the method of producing a meat product comprises the step of formulating a feed composition, wherein the feed pellet is a coated feed pellet.
  • the method of producing a meat product comprises the step of formulating a feed composition, wherein the fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA are present in the coating of the coated feed pellet.
  • invention As used herein the term "invention” or “present invention” is intended to refer to all aspects and embodiments of the invention as described in the claims and Ospecification herein and should not be read so as to be limited to any particular embodiment or aspect.
  • Farmed fish The terms “fish” or “farmed fish” are used interchangeably and refer to all aquatic animals bred mainly for production purposes, for example for the production of food. Throughout their lives, farmed fish usually undergo various stressful episodes.
  • Aquatic Animal refers to crustaceans, including but not limited to shrimps and prawns, and fish including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibutjava, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia
  • Aquaculture feed refers to any compound, preparation, or mixture suitable for, or intended for intake by aquatic animals.
  • a feed for aquatic animals typically comprises high protein and energy concentrations, such as fish meal, molasses, oligosaccharide concentrates as well as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, direct fed microbial, amino acids and/or other feed ingredients (such as in a premix).
  • Aquaculture feed refers to a manufactured or artificial diet (i.e., formulated feed) to supplement or to replace natural feed, which is most commonly produced in form of flakes or pellets.
  • an aquaculture feed may be in the form of flakes or pellets, for example extruded pellets.
  • Polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PUFAs”: The term polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PLIFAs”] The term “polyunsaturated fatty acid” and “PUFA” include not only the free fatty acid form, but also other forms, such as triacylglycerols (TAG) in the form of, phospholipid (PL) and other forms of esterified forms.
  • TAG triacylglycerols
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]: The term "Eicosapentaenoic acid” ["EPA”] is the common name for eis-5, 8, 11 ,14, 17-eicosapentaenoic acid. This fatty acid is a 20:5 omega-3 fatty acid.
  • EPA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
  • Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]: The term "Docosahexaenoic acid” ["DHA”] is the common name for eis-4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19-docosahexaenoic acid. This fatty acid is a 22:6 omega-3 fatty acid.
  • DHA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
  • LOA linoleic acid
  • LOA linoleic acid
  • the term "linoleic acid” ["LOA”] is the common name for c/s,c/s- 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid. This fatty acid is a 18:2n-6 omega-6 fatty acid.
  • LOA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
  • o-linolenic acid (LNA): The term "o-linolenic acid” ["LNA”] is the common name for c/s,c/s,c/s-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid. This fatty acid is a 18:3n-3 omega-3 fatty acid.
  • LNA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
  • Arachidonic acid (ARA): The term “arachidonic acid” ["ARA”] is the common name for 5,8,11 ,14-a//-c/s-Eicosatetraenoic acid. This fatty acid is a 20:4n-6 omega-6 fatty acid.
  • ARA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
  • arachidonic acid e.g., as a commercial formulation such as available under the Trademark ARASCOTM, is suitably administered to the animal as supplement to an aquacultut feed.
  • Feed may be supplemented by admixing arachidonic acid to regular feed or by first preparing a premix of a feed component and arachidonic acid and subsequent mixing the premix with other feed components.
  • the feed can be any feed.
  • the term feed as used herein comprises both solid and liquid feed.
  • Fish oil refers to oil derived from the tissues of an oily fish. Examples of oily fish include, but are not limited to: menhaden, anchovy, herring, capelin, cod and the like. Fish oil is a typical component of feed used in aquaculture.
  • Vegetable oil refers to any edible oil obtained from a plant. Typically plant oil is extracted from seed or grain of a plant.
  • triacylglycerols ["TAGs”] refers to neutral lipids composed of three fatty acyl residues esterified to a glycerol molecule.
  • Microbial oil refers to oil that has been separated from cellular materials, such as the microorganism in which the oil was synthesized. Microbial oils are obtained through a wide variety of methods, the simplest of which involves physical means alone. For example, mechanical crushing using various press configurations (e.g., screw, expeller, piston, bead beaters, etc.) can separate oil from cellular materials. Alternatively, oil extraction can occur via treatment with various organic solvents (e.g., hexane), via enzymatic extraction, via osmotic shock, via ultrasonic extraction, via supercritical fluid extraction (e.g., CO2 extraction), via saponification and via combinations of these methods. An extracted oil may be further purified or concentrated. In a preferred embodiment, the microbial oil is an oil derived from a species of Schizochytrium sp. ATCC PTA-10208, as for example the commercial oil product available under the Trademarks OvegaGold® or Veramaris®.
  • Stress is a reflex reaction revealed by the inability of an animal to cope with its environment, which may lead to many unfavorable consequences, ranging from discomfort to death. It covers the behavioral and biological responses to a wide range of abiotic stressors, such as social interactions or rough handling, common farm practices, improper feeding, exposure to adverse climate conditions, exercise, work and transport etc. Stressors can originate from within a animal (endogenous) or from the environment (exogenous).
  • stress for the purpose of the present invention refers to the highly demanding conditions (stressors) experienced by farmed aquatic animals.
  • stressors may be acute, such as, but not limited to transport, manipulation (sorting, vaccinations, partial fishing ...), and sudden changes in water quality (water safety, oxygenation, composition), or chronic, such as, but not limited to the continuing presence of a xenobiotic in water, overcrowded ponds, a non- homogeneous population, uneven feed distribution, inadequate oxygenation, or the presence of predatory birds perched on cages or on the shores of farming units.
  • a method of producing an aquaculture meat product by feeding farmed fish an aquaculture feed composition comprising the step of formulating an aquaculture feed composition with an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
  • improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality.
  • An aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a fish feed (including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 and 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 and 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a.
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 20 and 30 %, preferably between 22 and 27 %, more preferably between 23 and 26 %, most preferably between 23 and 25 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a. between 1 and 2.5 %, preferably between 1 .2 and 2.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.06 and 0.75 %, preferably between 0.06 and 0.6 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0.06 and 0.55 %, preferably
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b.
  • the aquaculture feed composition is a. between 0.06 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.3 and 1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA
  • b. between 0.5 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.6 and 1 .3 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for
  • the aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
  • a method of improving stress resistance in farmed salmon by feeding said farmed salmon during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight are selected from j) a body weight between 1 and 10g, k) a body weight between 10 and 100g l) a body weight between 100 and 400g m) a body weight between 400 and 1000g n) a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and o) a body weight between 2000 and 5000g
  • a method of improving stress resistance in farmed shrimp by feeding said farmed shrimp during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the shtimp as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 0.1 and 1 g, b) a body weight between 1 and 10 g c) a body weight between 10 and 40 g.
  • a method of improving stress resistance in farmed European sea bass by feeding said farmed European sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g and d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g.
  • a method of improving stress resistance in farmed Asian sea bass by feeding said farmed Asian sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g and e) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
  • a method of improving stress resistance in farmed Yellowtail Kingfish by feeding said farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight respectively comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 1000g and d) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
  • the main raw materials are ground and mixed.
  • Microingredients and/or a feed premix are then added to the mixer and the homogenous mix is conditioned by adding water and steam to the mass in a preconditioner. This starts a cooking process in the starch fraction (the binding component).
  • the mass is fed into a pellet mill. The mass is forced through the mill's die and the strings are broken into pellets on the outside of the die. The moisture content is low and drying of the feed is not necessary.
  • the added oil may be fish oil, microbial/algal or vegetable oils, for example rape seed oil or soy oil, or a mixture of oils.
  • the pellets are cooled in a cooler and bagged.
  • the final pressed fish feed contains 10 to 5000 ppm of the composition as described in the invention.
  • the main raw materials are ground and mixed. Micro ingredients and/or a feed premix are added to the mixer.
  • the homogenous mix is conditioned by adding water and steam to the mass in a preconditioner. Additional oil may also be added to the mass at this stage. This starts a cooking process in the starch fraction (the binding component).
  • the mass is fed into an extruder.
  • the extruder may be of the single screw or the twin-screw type. Due to the rotational movement of the mass in the extruder, the mass is further mixed. Additional oil, water and steam may be added to the mass in the extruder. At the end of the extruder, the mass has a temperature above 100 °C and a pressure above ambient pressure. The mass is forced through the openings in the extruder's die plate.
  • Oil may be added to the feed by spraying oil onto the surface of the feed, or by dipping the feed in oil. It is advantageous to add the oil to the feed in a closed vessel where the air pressure is below ambient (vacuum coating) so that the porous feed pellets absorb more oil. Feed containing more than 40 % lipid may be produced this way. After the coater, the feed is cooled and bagged. Oil may be added at several places in the process as explained above, and may be fish oil, microbial/algal or vegetable oils, by example rape seed oil or soy oil, or a mixture of oils.
  • the dominant protein source in dry feed for fish has been fish meal of different qualities.
  • Other animal protein sources are also used for dry fish feed.
  • chicken meal typically cheaper than fish meal and fish oil.
  • vegetable protein such as wheat gluten, maize (corn) gluten, soya protein, lupin meal, pea meal, bean meal, rape meal, sunflower meal and rice flour.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance. The invention further concerns a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding farmed fish an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance of the farmed fish. The optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to the breed of the fish, and the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.

Description

AQUACULTURE FEED
The present invention relates to an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance. The invention further concerns a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding farmed fish an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance of the farmed fish. The optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to the breed of the fish, and the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
Aquaculture is a form of agriculture that involves the propagation, cultivation and marketing of aquatic animals and plants in a controlled environment. The aquaculture industry is currently the fastest growing food production sector in the world. World aquaculture produces approximately 60 million tons of seafood, which is worth more than $70 billion (US) annually. Today, farmed fish accounts for approximately 50% of all fish consumed globally. This percentage is expected to increase as a result of dwindling catches from capture fisheries in both marine and freshwater environments and increasing seafood consumption (i.e. , total and per capita). Today, species groups in aquaculture production include, for example: carps and other cyprinids; oysters; clams, cockles and ark shells; shrimps and prawns; salmons, trouts and smelts; mussels; tilapias and other cichlids; and scallops.
Throughout their lives, farmed fish usually undergo various stressful episodes. Because it can strongly impair fish performance, stress is a major risk to consider in aquaculture. Stress is likely to disrupt the delicate balance between the animal’s defense abilities, the quality of farming conditions and the pressure exerted by potential pathogens on the environment. The disturbance of this precarious order favors the irruption of diseases and dysfunctions. To this end, it is necessary to provide the farmed fish with optimal living conditions, including dietary support.
Dietary lipids are vital elements in fish nutrition as energy sources, chemical messengers, and sources of essential fatty acids (EFA). These polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) cannot be synthesized in the body and thus must be obtained through the diet. Essential fatty acids (EFA) are key nutrients in fish production for their major role in animal health, performance, and product quality. EFA requirements have traditionally been met with fish meal and fish oil. Typically, the feed for carnivorous fish comprises fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild caught species of small pelagic fish (predominantly anchovy, jack mackerel, blue whiting, capelin, sandeel and menhaden). These pelagic fish are processed into fishmeal and fish oil, with the final product often being either a pelleted or flaked feed, depending on the size of the fish. The other components of the aquaculture feed composition may include vegetable protein, vitamins, minerals and pigment as required.
Marine fish oils have traditionally been used as the sole dietary lipid source in commercial fish feed given their ready availability, competitive price and the abundance of essential fatty acids contained within this product. Additionally, fish oils readily supply essential fatty acids which are required for regular growth, health, reproduction and bodily functions within fish. There are two main families: Omega-3 (n-3) and Omega-6 (n-6); n-3 PLIFA include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), and o-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3), whilst arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) and linoleic acid (LOA; 18:2n-6) are n-6 PLIFA. More specifically, all vertebrate species, including fish, have a dietary requirement for both omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PLIFAs"]. Eicosapentaenoic acid ["EPA"; cis-5, 8,11 ,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid; omega-3] and docosahexaenoic acid ["OHA"; c/s-4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19-docosahexaenoic acid; 22:6 omega-3] are required for fish growth and health and are often incorporated into commercial fish feeds via addition of fish oils.
Supply and environmental constraints have urged the shift towards more sustainable sources. It is estimated that aquaculture feed compositions currently use about 87% of the global supply of fish oil as a lipid source. Since annual fish oil production has not increased beyond 1.5 million tons per year, the rapidly growing aquaculture industry cannot continue to rely on finite stocks of marine pelagic fish as a supply of fish oil. Thus, there is great urgency to find and implement sustainable alternatives to fish oil that can keep pace with the growing global demand for fish products.
Vegetable oils are one of the alternatives, but these are high in Omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids and low in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Omega-3 (n-3), disrupting fish health and product quality. This has a large economic impact on aquaculture farmers. Dietary requirements of EFA vary by factors, such as species, life stage and health status of animals. Compared to controlled conditions such as laboratory trials, EFA requirements in farm conditions differ greatly. This is because farmed fish are exposed to environmental stressors such as a large number of animals, diseases. Pathogens in the farming environment can infect fish, resulting in high mortalities. However, fish response to diseases and infections can be enhanced through optimum nutrition, resulting in economic savings through increased productivity and lower costs of disease management. Dietary requirements of EFA under farm conditions differ from requirements for growth and health response in lab trials.
It therefore remains a need in aquaculture industry to find an aquaculture feed composition to substitute fish oil and/or fish meal and comprising an optimum concentration of fatty acids to mitigate the effects of stress on farmed fish. Because of the limited capacity of marine fish to synthesize said fatty acids from their precursors, these nutrients must be provided through the diet.
Summary of the invention
Surprisingly, we found that compared to controlled conditions such as laboratory trials and natural conditions, farmed fish, in commercial conditions, require adapted diets. We found that aquaculture feed compositions comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance of farmed aquatic animals. Further, we found that fish response to diseases and infections can be enhanced through adapted nutrition.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a feed intended for intake by farmed aquatic animals, said feed comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA.
In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding a farmed fish, a feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating a feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance.
Detailed Description
Aquaculture is the practice of farming aquatic animals and plants. It involves cultivating an aquatic product (e.g., freshwater and saltwater animals) under controlled conditions. It involves growing and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in fresh, brackish or salt water.
Organisms grown in aquaculture may include fish and crustaceans. Crustaceans are, for example, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, prawns and crayfish. The farming of finfish is the most common form of aquaculture.
It involves raising fish commercially in tanks, ponds, or ocean enclosures, usually for food. A facility that releases juvenile fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species' natural numbers is generally referred to as a fish hatchery. Particularly of interest are fish of the salmonid group, for example, cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus rnasou), Chinook salmon (0. tshawytscha), chum salmon (0. keta), coho salmon (0. kisutch), pink salmon (0. gorbuscha), sockeye salmon (0. nerka) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Other finfish of interest for aquaculture include, but are not limited to, various trout, as well as whitefish such as tilapia (including various species of Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia), sea bass, catfish (order Siluri-formes), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), carp (family Cyprinidae) and cod (Gadus).
Aquaculture typically requires a prepared aquaculture feed composition to meet dietary requirements of the cultured animals. Dietary requirements of different aquaculture species vary, as do the dietary requirements of a single species during different stages of growth. Thus, tremendous research is invested towards optimizing each aquaculture feed composition for each stage of growth of a cultured organism.
Aquaculture feed compositions are composed of micro and macro components. In general, all components, which are used at levels of more than 1 %, are considered as macro components. Feed ingredients used at levels of less than 1 % are micro components. They are premixed to achieve a homogeneous distribution of the micro components in the complete feed. Both macro and micro ingredients are subdivided into components with nutritional functions and technical functions.
Components with technical functions improve the physical quality of the aquaculture feed composition or its appearance. Macro components with nutritional functions provide aquatic animals with protein and energy required for growth and performance. With respect to fish, the aquaculture feed composition should ideally provide the fish with: 1) fats, which serve as a source of fatty acids for energy (especially for heart and skeletal muscles); and, 2) amino acids, which serve as building blocks of proteins. Fats also assist in vitamin absorption; for example, vitamins A, K, D, E and K are fat-soluble or can only be digested, absorbed, and transported in conjunction with fats. Carbohydrates, typically of plant origin (e.g., wheat, sunflower meal, com gluten, soybean meal), are also often included in the feed compositions, although carbohydrates are not a superior energy source for fish over protein or fat.
Fats are typically provided via incorporation of fish meals (which contain a minor amount of fish oil) and fish oils into the aquaculture feed compositions. Extracted oils that may be used in aquaculture feed compositions include fish oils (e.g., from the oily fish menhaden, anchovy, herring, capelin and cod liver), and vegetable oil (e.g., from soybeans, rapeseeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds). Typically, fish oil is the preferred oil, because it contains the long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PLIFAs"], EPA and DHA; in contrast, vegetable oils do not provide a source of EPA and/or DHA. These PLIFAs are needed for growth and health of most aquaculture products. A typical aquaculture feed composition will comprise from about 15-30% of oil (e.g., fish, vegetable, etc.), measured as a weight percent of the aquaculture feed composition.
The protein supplied in aquaculture feed compositions can be of plant or animal origin. For example, protein of animal origin can be from marine animals (e.g., fish meal, fish oil, fish protein, krill meal, mussel meal, shrimp peel, squid meal, squid oil, etc.) or land animals (e.g., blood meal, egg powder, liver meal, meat meal, meat and bone meal, silkworm, pupae meal, whey powder, etc.). Protein of plant origin can include soybean meal, corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, cottonseed meal, canola meal, sunflower meal, rice and the like.
The technical functions of macro components can be overlapping as, for example, wheat gluten may be used as a pelleting aid and for its protein content, which has a relatively high nutritional value. There can also be mentioned guar gum and wheat flour.
Micro components include feed additives such as vitamins, trace minerals, feed antibiotics and other biologicals. Minerals used at levels of less than 100 mg/kg (100 ppm) are considered as micro minerals or trace minerals. Micro components with nutritional functions are all biologicals and trace minerals. They are involved in biological processes and are needed for good health and high performance. There can be mentioned additional vitamins such as vitamins A, K3, D3, B1 , B3, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, panthothenic acid, nicotinic acid, choline chloride, inositol and para-amino-benzoic acid. There can be mentioned minerals such as salts of calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc. Other components may include, but are not limited to, antioxidants, beta-glucans, bile salt, cholesterol, enzymes, monosodium glutamate, carotenoids, etc.
The technical functions of micro ingredients are mainly related to pelleting, detoxifying, mold prevention, antioxidation, etc.
In aquaculture, typically fish are fed in different dietary cycles as they grow. The weights of fish of different dietary cycles may vary depending on the type of fish and/or the aquaculture practice used.
The present invention improves resistance to stress throughout the production cycle of farmed aquatic animals. This includes, but is not limited to enhanced immune system, better response to pathogens, better adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness and wound healing and increased flesh quality. Further, improved fish health contributes to the control of a broad range of diseases, such as salmon reovirus (ASRV) infection, one of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases in Atlantic salmon farms.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a feed intended for intake by farmed aquatic animals, said feed comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA.
The optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA may be added to the feed in the form of an oil or a mixture of oils selected from the group consisting of fish oil, microbial oil and one or more vegetable oil(s).
The oil comprising the at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA may be derived from a microbial source or a vegetable source. Preferably, the oil is an oil obtained from an algae, fungi or yeast. Preferred microbes are Thraustochytrids which are microorganisms of the order Thraustochytriales. Thraustochytrids include members of the genus Schizochytrium and Thraustochytrium and have been recognized as an alternative source of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA. See U.S. Patent No. 5,130,242. In a preferred embodiment the microorganism is a mutant strain of the species Schizochytrium. Schizochytrium strains are natural sources of PLIFAs such as DHA and can be optimized by mutagenesis to be used as microbial source according to the present invention.
Most processes to make an aquaculture feed composition of the invention will begin with a microbial fermentation, wherein a particular microorganism is cultured under conditions that permit growth and production of microbial oils comprising DHA, preferably EPA and DHA. At an appropriate time, the microbial cells are harvested from the fermentation vessel. This microbial biomass may be mechanically processed using various means, such as dewatering, drying, mechanical disruption, pelletization, etc. Then, the oil extracted from the biomass is supplemented with the appropriate amounts of fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA and used as an ingredient in an aquaculture feed (preferably as a substitute for at least a portion of the fish oil used in standard aquaculture feed compositions). The aquaculture feed is then fed to aquatic animals over a portion of their lifetime.
In another embodiment of the invention, an aquaculture feed according to the invention can be made as described in example 2. Water-soluble vitamins may be added to the main raw materials from which the aquaculture feed, such as in the form of extruded feed is produced. Oil may be supplemented with the appropriate amount to reach the final concentrations of fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA in the feed as defined above and applied to the surface of the feed by spraying the oil onto the surface of the feed, or dipping the feed in the oil.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of EPA in the feed is between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, most preferably between 3 and 6 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of DHA in the feed is between 2 and 20 %, preferably between 2 and 18 %, most preferably between 3 and 16% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of arachidonic acid in the feed is between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0 and 4 %, most preferably between 0 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of LOA in the feed is between 5 and 30 %, preferably between 5 and 27 %, most preferably between 7 and 24 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of LNA in the feed is between 5 and 20 %, preferably between 5 and 17 %, most preferably between 6 and 15 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition.
The lipid content in aquaculture feeds typically ranges from about 5 - 40%, preferably 10 - 30%. The lipid content in some aquaculture feeds may be significantly higher, such as 30-40% in salmon feed or lower, such as 7-8% in shrimp feed. Roughly 90% of lipids are fatty acids.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of EPA in the feed is between 0.15 and 3 %, preferably between 0.2 and 2.5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of DHA in the feed is between 0.15 and 6 %, preferably between 0.2 and 5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of arachidonic acid in the feed is between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0 and 2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of LOA in the feed is between 4 and 8.5 %, preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concentration of LNA in the feed is between 4 and 5.5 %, preferably between 4 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 5 and 15 %, preferably between 6 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 7 and 10 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 1 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, most preferably between 5 and 7 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 2 and 20 %, preferably between 3 and 18 %, more preferably between 4 and 16% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 .3 and 5 %, preferably between 1.5 and 5.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 0.75 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 10 and 20 %, preferably between 7 and 18 %, more preferably between 10 and 17 %, most preferably between 12 and 17%, most preferably between 15 and 17 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 4 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 2.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 2.7 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 - 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 6 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 - 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 - 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 9 %, more preferably between 5 and 9 %, most preferably between 6 and 9 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 - 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 - 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and
11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 1 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 - 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 - 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 3 %, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 - 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 - 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 3 %, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed, wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 - 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 20 and 30 %, preferably between 22 and 27 %, more preferably between 23 and 26 %, most preferably between 23 and 25 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 2.5 %, preferably between 1.2 and 2.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.06 and 0.75 %, preferably between 0.06 and 0.6 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0.06 and 0.55 %, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 10 and 20 %, preferably between 7 and 18 %, more preferably between 10 and 17 %, most preferably between 12 and 17%, most preferably between 14 and 16 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.06 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.3 and 1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.6 and 1 .3 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. e. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. f. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.1 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. g. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 10 and 40g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.1 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 1 and 10g and selected from d. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, e. between 0.1 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and f. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 10 and 40g and selected from g. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, h. between 0.1 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and i. between 0.2 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA.
In another aspect of the invention, the aquaculture feed is an extruded feed pellet or a pressed feed pellet. In a more preferred aspect, the aquaculture feed is a coated pellet.
In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an aquaculture feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA to improve stress resistance.
In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of producing an aquaculture meat product, by feeding a farmed fish, a feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating a feed composition comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of improving stress resistance in farmed salmon comprises feeding farmed salmon during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight respectively. The stages of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight may be selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g e) a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and f) a body weight between 2000 and 5000g. The method my further comprise feeding farmed salmon during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weighty.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of improving stress resistance in shrimp comprises feeding said farmed shrimp during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the shtimp as determined by its weight respectively. The stages of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight are selected from g) a body weight between 0.1 and 1 g, h) a body weight between 1 and 10 g i) a body weight between 10 and 40 g.
The method my further comprise feeding farmed shrimp during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of improving stress resistance in seabream comprises feeding said farmed seabream during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight respectively. The stages of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g.
The method my further comprise feeding farmed seabream during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of improving stress resistance in European sea bass comprises feeding said farmed European sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight respectively. The stages of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g and d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g.
The method my further comprise feeding farmed European sea bass during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of improving stress resistance in Asian sea bass comprises feeding said farmed Asian sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight respectively. The stages of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g and e) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
The method my further comprise feeding farmed Asian sea bass during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of improving stress resistance in Yellowtail Kingfish comprises feeding said farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight respectively. The stages of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 1000g and d) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
The method my further comprise feeding farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least one more stage of growth at least one more different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to the one more stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of producing a meat product, preferably an aquaculture meat product, comprises the step of formulating a feed composition, wherein the feed is an extruded feed pellet or a pressed feed pellet.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of producing a meat product, preferably an aquaculture meat product, comprises the step of formulating a feed composition, wherein the feed pellet is a coated feed pellet.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of producing a meat product, preferably an aquaculture meat product, comprises the step of formulating a feed composition, wherein the fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA are present in the coating of the coated feed pellet.
Definitions
Invention: As used herein the term "invention" or "present invention" is intended to refer to all aspects and embodiments of the invention as described in the claims and Ospecification herein and should not be read so as to be limited to any particular embodiment or aspect.
Farmed fish: The terms "fish" or "farmed fish" are used interchangeably and refer to all aquatic animals bred mainly for production purposes, for example for the production of food. Throughout their lives, farmed fish usually undergo various stressful episodes.
Aquatic Animal: The term “aquatic animal” refers to crustaceans, including but not limited to shrimps and prawns, and fish including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibutjava, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish.
Aquaculture feed: The term “Aquaculture feed” or “Aquaculture feed composition” or “feed” refers to any compound, preparation, or mixture suitable for, or intended for intake by aquatic animals. A feed for aquatic animals typically comprises high protein and energy concentrations, such as fish meal, molasses, oligosaccharide concentrates as well as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, direct fed microbial, amino acids and/or other feed ingredients (such as in a premix). Aquaculture feed refers to a manufactured or artificial diet (i.e., formulated feed) to supplement or to replace natural feed, which is most commonly produced in form of flakes or pellets. Typically, an aquaculture feed may be in the form of flakes or pellets, for example extruded pellets.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PUFAs"]: The term polyunsaturated fatty acids ["PLIFAs"] The term "polyunsaturated fatty acid" and "PUFA" include not only the free fatty acid form, but also other forms, such as triacylglycerols (TAG) in the form of, phospholipid (PL) and other forms of esterified forms. Additional details concerning the differentiation between "saturated fatty acids" versus "unsaturated fatty acids", "monounsaturated fatty acids" versus "polyunsaturated fatty acids" ["PUFAs"], and "omega-6 fatty acids" ["00-6" or "n-6"] versus "omega-3 fatty acids" ["00-3" or "n-3"] are provided in U.S. Patent 7,238,482.
Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]: The term "Eicosapentaenoic acid" ["EPA"] is the common name for eis-5, 8, 11 ,14, 17-eicosapentaenoic acid. This fatty acid is a 20:5 omega-3 fatty acid. The term EPA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]: The term "Docosahexaenoic acid" ["DHA"] is the common name for eis-4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19-docosahexaenoic acid. This fatty acid is a 22:6 omega-3 fatty acid. The term DHA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise. linoleic acid (LOA): The term "linoleic acid" ["LOA"] is the common name for c/s,c/s- 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid. This fatty acid is a 18:2n-6 omega-6 fatty acid. The term LOA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise. o-linolenic acid (LNA): The term "o-linolenic acid" ["LNA"] is the common name for c/s,c/s,c/s-9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid. This fatty acid is a 18:3n-3 omega-3 fatty acid. The term LNA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise.
Arachidonic acid (ARA): The term "arachidonic acid" ["ARA"] is the common name for 5,8,11 ,14-a//-c/s-Eicosatetraenoic acid. This fatty acid is a 20:4n-6 omega-6 fatty acid. The term ARA as used in the present disclosure will refer to the acid or derivatives of the acid (e.g., glycerides, esters, phospholipids, amides, lactones, salts or the like) unless specifically mentioned otherwise. For the purposes of the invention, arachidonic acid (ARA), e.g., as a commercial formulation such as available under the Trademark ARASCO™, is suitably administered to the animal as supplement to an aquacultut feed. Feed may be supplemented by admixing arachidonic acid to regular feed or by first preparing a premix of a feed component and arachidonic acid and subsequent mixing the premix with other feed components. The feed can be any feed. The term feed as used herein comprises both solid and liquid feed.
Fish oil: The term "Fish oil" refers to oil derived from the tissues of an oily fish. Examples of oily fish include, but are not limited to: menhaden, anchovy, herring, capelin, cod and the like. Fish oil is a typical component of feed used in aquaculture.
Vegetable oil: "Vegetable oil" refers to any edible oil obtained from a plant. Typically plant oil is extracted from seed or grain of a plant. The term "triacylglycerols" ["TAGs"] refers to neutral lipids composed of three fatty acyl residues esterified to a glycerol molecule.
Microbial oil: The term "microbial oil" refers to oil that has been separated from cellular materials, such as the microorganism in which the oil was synthesized. Microbial oils are obtained through a wide variety of methods, the simplest of which involves physical means alone. For example, mechanical crushing using various press configurations (e.g., screw, expeller, piston, bead beaters, etc.) can separate oil from cellular materials. Alternatively, oil extraction can occur via treatment with various organic solvents (e.g., hexane), via enzymatic extraction, via osmotic shock, via ultrasonic extraction, via supercritical fluid extraction (e.g., CO2 extraction), via saponification and via combinations of these methods. An extracted oil may be further purified or concentrated. In a preferred embodiment, the microbial oil is an oil derived from a species of Schizochytrium sp. ATCC PTA-10208, as for example the commercial oil product available under the Trademarks OvegaGold® or Veramaris®.
Stress: Stress is a reflex reaction revealed by the inability of an animal to cope with its environment, which may lead to many unfavorable consequences, ranging from discomfort to death. It covers the behavioral and biological responses to a wide range of abiotic stressors, such as social interactions or rough handling, common farm practices, improper feeding, exposure to adverse climate conditions, exercise, work and transport etc. Stressors can originate from within a animal (endogenous) or from the environment (exogenous). The term "stress" for the purpose of the present invention refers to the highly demanding conditions (stressors) experienced by farmed aquatic animals. These stressors may be acute, such as, but not limited to transport, manipulation (sorting, vaccinations, partial fishing ...), and sudden changes in water quality (water safety, oxygenation, composition), or chronic, such as, but not limited to the continuing presence of a xenobiotic in water, overcrowded ponds, a non- homogeneous population, uneven feed distribution, inadequate oxygenation, or the presence of predatory birds perched on cages or on the shores of farming units.
Embodiments of the invention
Embodiments of the invention can be summarized as follows:
1 . A method of producing an aquaculture meat product by feeding farmed fish an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating an aquaculture feed composition with an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method is used to improve stress resistance of the farmed fish.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality.
4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said aquaculture feed composition is administered to a fish (including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish) or crustaceans (including but not limited to shrimps and prawns), preferably salmon, trout, carp, tilapia, catfish, seabream (Gilthead), seabass (European), seabass (Asian), kingfish (Seriola), Shrimp (Vannamei) or Shrimp (Monodon). An aquaculture feed composition, comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 5 and 30 %, preferably between 5 and 27 %, most preferably between 7 and 24 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 5 and 20 %, preferably between 5 and 17 %, most preferably between 6 and 15 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0 and 4 %, most preferably between 0 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, most preferably between 3 and 6 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 2 and 20 %, preferably between 2 and 18 %, most preferably between 3 and 16% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 4 and 8.5 %, preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 4 and 5.5 %, preferably between 4 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0 and 2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 0.15 and 3 %, preferably between 0.2 and 2.5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.15 and 6 %, preferably between 0.2 and 5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a fish feed (including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish) or crustaceans (including but not limited to shrimps and prawns), preferably salmon, trout, carp, tilapia, catfish, seabream (Gilthead), seabass (European), seabass (Asian), kingfish (Seriola), Shrimp (Vannamei) or Shrimp (Monodon). The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 5 and 15 %, preferably between 6 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 7 and 10 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 1 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, most preferably between 5 and 7 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 2 and 20 %, preferably between 3 and 18 %, more preferably between 4 and 16% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed for LOA, b. between 1 .3 and 5 %, preferably between 1 .5 and 5.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 0.75 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 10 and 20 %, preferably between 7 and 18 %, more preferably between 10 and 17 %, most preferably between 12 and 17%, most preferably between 15 and 17 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 4 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 2.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 2.7 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 and 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 6 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 and 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 and 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 9 %, more preferably between 5 and 9 %, most preferably between 6 and 9 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 and 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 and 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 1 and 3 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 and 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11% measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 3 %, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 and 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 2 and 10 %, preferably between 3 and 9 %, more preferably between 4 and 8 %, more preferably between 5 and 8 %, most preferably between 6 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 3 %, more preferably between 0.5 and 2 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 and 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 20 and 30 %, preferably between 22 and 27 %, more preferably between 23 and 26 %, most preferably between 23 and 25 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 1 and 10 %, preferably between 2 and 8 %, more preferably between 3 and 7 %, more preferably between 4 and 7 %, most preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 1 and 7 %, preferably between 2 and 6 %, more preferably between 3 and 5 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Vannamei) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 2.5 %, preferably between 1 .2 and 2.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.06 and 0.75 %, preferably between 0.06 and 0.6 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0.06 and 0.55 %, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 15 %, preferably between 5 and 13 %, more preferably between 7 and 12 %, most preferably between 8 and 11 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 10 and 20 %, preferably between 7 and 18 %, more preferably between 10 and 17 %, most preferably between 12 and 17%, most preferably between 14 and 16 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 5 %, preferably between 1 and 4 %, more preferably between 2 and 4 % measured as wt% of total fatty acids in the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Shrimp (Monodon) feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.06 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.3 and 1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.6 and 1 .3 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.1 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 10 and 40g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, b. between 0.1 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and c. between 0.2 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. Use of the aquaculture feed composition according to any of claims 5 to 29 to improve stress resistance. The use according to claim 30, wherein said improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed salmon by feeding said farmed salmon during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight are selected from j) a body weight between 1 and 10g, k) a body weight between 10 and 100g l) a body weight between 100 and 400g m) a body weight between 400 and 1000g n) a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and o) a body weight between 2000 and 5000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed shrimp by feeding said farmed shrimp during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the shtimp as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 0.1 and 1 g, b) a body weight between 1 and 10 g c) a body weight between 10 and 40 g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed seabream by feeding said farmed seabream during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed European sea bass by feeding said farmed European sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g and d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed Asian sea bass by feeding said farmed Asian sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g and e) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed Yellowtail Kingfish by feeding said farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 1000g and d) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g.
38. The method according to any of claims 32 to 37, wherein said improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality.
Examples
Example 1 : Preparation of Pressed Fish Feed
The main raw materials are ground and mixed. Microingredients and/or a feed premix are then added to the mixer and the homogenous mix is conditioned by adding water and steam to the mass in a preconditioner. This starts a cooking process in the starch fraction (the binding component). The mass is fed into a pellet mill. The mass is forced through the mill's die and the strings are broken into pellets on the outside of the die. The moisture content is low and drying of the feed is not necessary.
Additional oil is then sprayed onto the surface of pellets, but as the pellets are rather compact, the total lipid content rarely exceeds 24 %. The added oil may be fish oil, microbial/algal or vegetable oils, for example rape seed oil or soy oil, or a mixture of oils. After oil coating, the pellets are cooled in a cooler and bagged. The final pressed fish feed contains 10 to 5000 ppm of the composition as described in the invention.
Example 2: Method for Preparation of Extruded Fish Feed
The main raw materials are ground and mixed. Micro ingredients and/or a feed premix are added to the mixer. The homogenous mix is conditioned by adding water and steam to the mass in a preconditioner. Additional oil may also be added to the mass at this stage. This starts a cooking process in the starch fraction (the binding component). The mass is fed into an extruder. The extruder may be of the single screw or the twin-screw type. Due to the rotational movement of the mass in the extruder, the mass is further mixed. Additional oil, water and steam may be added to the mass in the extruder. At the end of the extruder, the mass has a temperature above 100 °C and a pressure above ambient pressure. The mass is forced through the openings in the extruder's die plate. Due to the relief in temperature and pressure, some of the moisture will evaporate immediately (flash off) and the extruded mass becomes porous. The strings are cut into pellets by a rotating knife. The water content is rather high (18-28 %) and the pellets are therefore immediately dried to approximately 10 % water content in a dryer.
After the dryer, more oil may be added to the feed by spraying oil onto the surface of the feed, or by dipping the feed in oil. It is advantageous to add the oil to the feed in a closed vessel where the air pressure is below ambient (vacuum coating) so that the porous feed pellets absorb more oil. Feed containing more than 40 % lipid may be produced this way. After the coater, the feed is cooled and bagged. Oil may be added at several places in the process as explained above, and may be fish oil, microbial/algal or vegetable oils, by example rape seed oil or soy oil, or a mixture of oils.
Fish need protein, fat, minerals and vitamins in order to grow and to be in good health. The diet of carnivorous fish is particularly important. Originally in the farming of carnivorous fish, whole fish or ground fish were used to meet the nutritional requirements of the farmed fish. Ground fish mixed with dry raw materials of various kinds, such as fish meal and starch, was termed soft or semi-moist feed. As farming became industrialized, soft or semi-moist feed was replaced by pressed dry feed. This was itself gradually replaced by extruded dry feed.
Today, extruded feed is nearly universal in the farming of a number of fish species such as various types of salmonid, cod, sea bass and sea bream.
The dominant protein source in dry feed for fish has been fish meal of different qualities. Other animal protein sources are also used for dry fish feed. Thus, it is known to use blood meal, bone meal, feather meal and other types of meal produced from other slaughterhouse waste, for example chicken meal. These are typically cheaper than fish meal and fish oil. However, in some geographic regions, there has been a prohibition against using such raw materials in the production of feeds for food-producing animals and fish.
It is also known to use vegetable protein such as wheat gluten, maize (corn) gluten, soya protein, lupin meal, pea meal, bean meal, rape meal, sunflower meal and rice flour.

Claims

CLAIMS A method of producing an aquaculture meat product by feeding farmed fish an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating an aquaculture feed composition with an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from linoleic acid (LOA), o-linolenic acid (LNA), arachidonic acid (ARA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is determined by/adapted to a. the breed of the fish, and b. the different stages of growth of the fish as determined by its weight. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method is used to improve stress resistance of the farmed fish. The method according to claim 2, wherein said improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said aquaculture feed composition is administered to a fish, including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish, or crustaceans, including but not limited to shrimps and prawns, preferably salmon, trout, carp, tilapia, catfish, seabream, seabass, kingfish, Shrimp. An aquaculture feed composition, comprising an optimum concentration of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 4 and 8.5 %, preferably between 4 and 8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 4 and 5.5 %, preferably between 4 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0 and 2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 0.15 and 3 %, preferably between 0.2 and 2.5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.15 and 6 %, preferably between 0.2 and 5 measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a fish feed, including but not limited to amberjack, arapaima, barb, bass, bluefish, bocachico, bream, bullhead, cachama, carp, catfish, catla, chanos, char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, dorada, drum, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, mojarra, mudfish, mullet, paco, pearlspot, pejerrey, perch, pike, pompano, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, sea bass, seabream, shiner, sleeper, snakehead, snapper, snook, sole, spinefoot, sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout, tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish, or crustaceans, including but not limited to shrimps and prawns, preferably salmon, trout, carp, tilapia, catfish, seabream, seabass, kingfish, Shrimp. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed for LOA, b. between 1.3 and 5 %, preferably between 1 .5 and 5.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 0.75 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 4 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 2.5 and 7.5 %, preferably between 2.7 and 7.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 10 and 100g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 100 and 400g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 400 and 1000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a salmon feed and wherein the salmon feed is adapted to salmon with a body weight between 2000 and 5000g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.5 and 3.6 %, preferably between 0.75 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.25 and 5.5 %, preferably between 1 and 5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 1.5 %, preferably between 0.2 and 1 .8 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, d. between 1 and 3.6 %, preferably between 2 and 3.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and e. between 0.25 and 2.5 %, preferably between 0.5 and 2.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Vannamei Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 1 and 2.5 %, preferably between 1 .2 and 2.2 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.06 and 0.75 %, preferably between 0.06 and 0.6 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0.06 and 0.55 %, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a Monodon Shrimp feed and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from a. between 0.06 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.3 and 1 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LOA, b. between 0.5 and 1 .5 %, preferably between 0.6 and 1 .3 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for LNA, c. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and d. between 0 and 0.05 %, preferably between 0 and 0.04 % measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 0.1 and 1g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from d. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, e. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and f. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 1 and 10g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from d. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, e. between 0.1 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and f. between 0.2 and 0.5 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. The aquaculture feed composition according to claim 5, wherein the aquaculture feed composition is a shrimp feed and wherein the shrimp feed is adapted to shrimp with a body weight between 10 and 40g and wherein the optimum concentration of said at least three fatty acids is selected from d. between 0 and 0.1 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for ARA, e. between 0.1 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for EPA, and f. between 0.2 and 0.4 %, measured as wt% of the aquaculture feed composition for DHA. Use of the aquaculture feed composition according to any of claims 5 to 19 to improve stress resistance. The use according to claim 20, wherein said improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed salmon by feeding said farmed salmon during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the salmon as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g e) a body weight between 1000 and 2000g and f) a body weight between 2000 and 5000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed shrimp by feeding said farmed shrimp during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the shtimp as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the shrimp as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 0.1 and 1 g, b) a body weight between 1 and 10 g c) a body weight between 10 and 40 g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed seabream by feeding said farmed seabream during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the seabream as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed European sea bass by feeding said farmed European sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the European sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g and d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed Asian sea bass by feeding said farmed Asian sea bass during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the Asian sea bass as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 400g d) a body weight between 400 and 1000g and e) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g. A method of improving stress resistance in farmed Yellowtail Kingfish by feeding said farmed Yellowtail Kingfish during at least two different stages of growth at least two different aquaculture feed compositions adapted to a different stage of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight respectively, said method comprising the step of formulating the at least two different aquaculture feed compositions with optimum concentrations of at least three fatty acids selected from LOA, LNA, ARA, EPA and DHA, and wherein the at least two stages of growth of the Yellowtail Kingfish as determined by its weight are selected from a) a body weight between 1 and 10g, b) a body weight between 10 and 100g c) a body weight between 100 and 1000g and d) a body weight between 1000 and 5000g. The method according to any of claims 22 to 27, wherein said improvement stress resistance is selected from enhanced immune system, improved response to pathogens, improved adaptation to smoltification, reduced vertebral deformities, improved skin integrity, increased robustness, increased wound healing, increased flesh quality.
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