WO2021074807A1

WO2021074807A1 - Nutritional supplement

Info

Publication number: WO2021074807A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/059639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Allan MÜLLER; Lars Larsen; Eystein E ELTTØR; Helgi Larsen; Woo Sun FONG; Carl Ole RATHER
Original assignee: Whela Marine Protein Ívf
Priority date: 2019-10-14
Filing date: 2020-10-14
Publication date: 2021-04-22
Also published as: EP4044824A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to nutritional supplements comprising a fish protein source and a macroalgae composition. The macroalgae composition comprises brown macroalgae and red and/or green macroalgae. It also relates to use of such nutritional supplements in food or feed products.

Description

Nutritional Supplement

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to nutritional supplements, particularly to nutritional supplements comprising a source of fish protein and macroal gae.

Background

The importance of a nutritionally balanced diet in promoting and maintaining the health, general welfare and growth of both humans and ani mals is well recognized. Some diets can be nutritionally deficient in some respects, due to e.g. economic considerations or monotonous diets. In addi tion, for some animals and humans it is desirable to have an increased intake of protein to increase growth and/or build muscle mass. Protein supplements can also be beneficial for others, such as injured or recovering patients or elderly users, who can have trouble in achieving enough protein intake. This has led to the development nutritional supplements intended to make up for nutritional deficiencies and in some cases also promote a certain biological function, such as protein supplements to build muscle mass. For protein sup plements, providing enough and the right kind of protein is of interest, which has led to animal feeds enriched with soy bean protein or fish meals, and a number of protein supplements for human consumption based on whey, ca sein, or soy protein.

A nutritionally balanced diet goes beyond meeting the nutritional re quirements of the user, as there is increasing awareness of the role that the microbiota of a user (the host), especially the gastrointestinal microbiota, plays in maintaining a healthy and efficient metabolic function in and general health state of the host. For example, the presence of some harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal microbiota may contribute to the occurrence of the dis eases such as ulcers or inflammatory bowel diseases. On the other hand, the presence of other bacteria aids the metabolic function e.g. in fermenting fiber or digesting protein and thus in making nutrients available to the host. Like an unbalanced diet can affect the host it can also lead to impaired gastrointesti- nal microbiota and thus a weakened general health state and metabolic func tion.

Hence, while known protein supplements may be a suitable protein source for the user, they do not provide the nutritional balance which is im portant for maintaining the general health and metabolic function of the user. Hence, if the user’s diet is not otherwise nutritionally balanced, the protein supplement may not be efficiently utilized.

Hence, it is an object of the invention to provide a protein supplement which is nutritionally balanced, and which promotes and/or maintains a healthy gastrointestinal microbiota.

Summary of the invention

This and other objects are achieved by a first aspect of the invention where there is provided a nutritional supplement comprising a fish protein source, and a macroalgae composition, wherein the macroalgae composition comprises at least one macroalga selected from brown algae ( Phaeophyta ) and at least one macroalga selected from green algae ( Chlorophyta ) or red algae ( Rhodophyta ).

The nutritional supplement according to the invention serves as a protein supplement with an additional prebiotic benefit. The fish protein source contains protein of high nutritional value, as fish protein is highly di gestible and has an amino acid profile which is suitable for consumption by both humans and animals, especially with the goal of building muscle mass. A suitable amino acid profile is a profile which contains at least all the amino acids which are essential in a diet, in ratios that satisfy the needs of the user. The essential amino acids must be supplied from the diet, and thus it is im portant for the nutritional supplement to contain a balanced amount of them all, but it is also advantageous to have a balanced amount of the other amino acids, limiting the need for amino acid synthesis by the user. Having a bal anced essential amino acid content also affects the net protein utilization, i.e. a good balance results in high utilization of the protein intake. Protein digesti bility is a measure of the degree to which the protein is available to the user and will not pass through the gastrointestinal system undigested. Further, fish generally has a high content of protein, and thus makes it possible to provide a supplement having a high protein content. Hence, the nutritional supple ment contains fish protein which can be efficiently utilized by the user as a source of amino acids, for e.g. building muscle mass.

The nutritional supplement further comprises a macroalgae composition which provides additional nutritional content and acts as a prebiotic. The macroalgae composition is a source of dietary plant fiber, polysaccharides, protein of algae origin and numerous antioxidants, providing a nutritionally balanced nutritional supplement. Macroalgae contains several polysaccha rides, proteins and antioxidants some of which are unique to each macroalga species. Brown macroalgae for example are especially rich in various forms of the polysaccharides laminarins and fucoidans, and fucoidan is known to be biologically active and reported to have antioxidant, antiviral, immunomodula tory and anti-inflammatory effects among others. Red macroalgae contain the polysaccharide carrageenan and green macroalgae contains ulvans. Fu coidan, carrageenans and ulvans are sulphated polysaccharides which have been reported to be biologically active. Recently, it has also reported that these sulphated polysaccharides, such as fucoidan, may be useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent against SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19). Phyco- biliproteins from red macroalgae species can also have anti-oxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Green macroalgae may have higher protein con tent than other macroalgae. The different macroalgae types also contain other compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, terpenes, sterols, tocopherols, fucoxanthins etc., some of which are unique to the specific macroalga. The macroalgae composition which is a mix of at least one brown macroalga and at least one green or red macroalga has been designed in part to optimize the content of the beneficial compounds from multiple macroalgae types. Without being bound by theory, the nutritional supplement which contains the macroalgae composition, provides a broad range of polysaccharides and oth er compounds, from different species of macroalgae, which advantageously promotes and/or maintains the gastrointestinal microbiota. The broad range of polysaccharides of the macroalgae composition may also be beneficial to the host least due to their biological activity. Providing this in combination with the protein supplement from the fish protein may ensure that the user of the pro tein supplement has the healthy metabolic function and health state to effi ciently make use of the protein supplement from the fish protein source.

Without being bound by theory the prebiotic effect of the nutritional supplement may in part arise as the nutrients of the macroalgae composition are less digestible by the user than the fish protein, but they are a nutrition source for gastrointestinal bacteria. The lower digestibility of the macroalgae provides nutrients, e.g. fiber and protein, to the latter part of the digestive sys tem of the user, such as the jejunum and ileum of the small intestine or the large intestine or the colon. As these nutrients are available to the gastroin testinal bacteria even in the latter parts of the digestive system the nutritional supplement promotes and/or maintains the microbiota therein. Promoting a healthy gastrointestinal microbiota, may contribute to improving and/or main taining the health state of the user. Furthermore, a healthy gastrointestinal microbiota aids in digesting, e.g. by microbial fermentation, nutrients which are indigestible by the host, yielding microbial metabolites which can be bene ficial to the host. An example is the short chain fatty acids resulting from ami no acid catabolism, but other microbial metabolites can be beneficial. Addi tionally, a healthy gastrointestinal microbiota may inhibit other detrimental bacteria or parasites in the user, for example by competitive inhibition in the environment, or through the microbial metabolites. The availability of macroalgae protein of low digestibility in the latter part of the digestive system may provide the advantages of protein availability to gastrointestinal microbio ta in the latter part of the digestive system, compared to a highly digestible protein source such as fish protein. This can contribute to the growth and maintenance of gastrointestinal microbiota, which may contribute to increased microbial protein synthesis and increased bacterial digestion of nutrients such as protein, peptides and dietary fiber. Without being bound by theory, the macroalgae composition may also contribute with biologically active com pounds for maintaining the protein absorption system in the gastrointestinal tract.

Additionally, the macroalgae composition can have the further effect of a sustained protein supply to the user, as the macroalgae protein is less digestible. A sustained protein supply may reduce the overall loss of protein, i.e. fraction of protein which is not used as a source of amino acids for protein synthesis, but simply used to supply energy to the user. Amino acids which are in excess at a given time will be decomposed and metabolized for energy. Hence, the protracted digestion of macroalgae protein may provide a back-up of protein which is available to the user for at a time after the fish protein has been digested. The nutritional supplement may thus provide an efficient use of the protein, which may reduce the required protein intake. Providing such a protein supplement which can provide amino acids to the user for a longer time, may be advantageous for building muscle mass.

Additionally, as some macroalgae can contain undesirable com pounds, such as heavy metals, it possible by using different macroalga spe cies to increase the macroalgae content of the nutritional supplement, to ob tain the beneficial effects while limiting the content of such undesirable com pounds.

Additionally, the macroalgae composition which is mix of multiple species of macroalga may provide a macroalgae composition with an amino acid profile suitable for use as a protein supplement, especially with the goal of building muscle mass. The macroalgae composition is a source of all of the 20 standard amino acids and ensures their availability in the entire gastroin testinal system.

The macroalgae composition may also contribute to an increased shelf life for the product as the polysaccharide and/or antioxidants of the macroalgae may stabilize the fish protein of the supplement during storage or inhibit oxidation of fatty acids which cause a rancid smell.

The nutritional supplement further has good palatability, which is de sirable in animal feed supplements as it makes it easy to get the animals to eat the supplement. It also makes it possible to incorporate the supplement in health foods for humans where an adverse taste would hinder some applica- tions.

In some embodiments, the macroalgae composition comprises at least one macroalga selected from brown algae ( Phaeophyta ), at least one macroalga selected from green algae ( Chlorophyta ) and at least one macroalga selected from red algae ( Rhodophyta ).

Such a macroalgae composition comprising may advantageously provide the above-mentioned prebiotic and digestive effects and suitable amino acid profile. Having a macroalgae composition comprising macroalgae from all three groups of macroalgae, increases the content of unique polysac charides and antioxidants in the nutritional supplement and thus providing a complex nutritional supplement, which promotes and/or maintains the gastro intestinal microbiota.

In some embodiments, the at least one brown macroalga is selected from: Fucales, Laminaria, Fucus vesiculosus, Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta, Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus Spiralis, Fucus ev- anescens, Laminaria digitate, Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Nere- ocystis luetkeana, Himanthalia elongate, and Laminaria hyperborean ; the at least one green macroalga is selected from: Ulva, Monostroma, Ulva intesti- nalis, Ulva compressa, Ulva lactuca, Ulva fenestrate, Ulva rigida, Ulva Linza, Codium fragile, Ulvaria fusca, Umbraulva dangeardii, Monostroma angicava, Monostroma arcticum, Monostroma kuroshiense, Monostroma grevillea, and Monostroma nitidum; and the at least one red macroalga is selected from: Porphyra, Callophyllis, Palmaria palmata, Chondrus crispus, Dilsea Carnosa, Porphyra dioica, Porphyra linearis, Porphyra umbilicalis, Calliblepharis jubata, Catenella caespitose, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Mastocarpus stellatus. The macroalgae composition may comprise more than one of each of the listed brown, red and green macroalgae.

These macroalgae groups and species have been identified as suit able for use in a nutritional supplement for animal or human use, and for ob taining a macroalgae composition which has the above-mentioned prebiotic and digestive effects and suitable amino acid profile.

Preferably, the at least one brown macroalga is selected from Fucus vesiculosus, Alaria esculenta, Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Laminaria digitata ; the at least one green macroalga is selected from: Ulva lactuca and Monostroma grevillea ; and the at least one red macroalga is selected from: Porphyra, Palmaria palmata, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Chondrus crispus.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement comprises about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of brown macroalgae, about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of green macroalgae and/or about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of red macroalgae. These per centage amounts refer to the amount of each macroalgae in relation to the entire nutritional supplement.

In some embodiments, the macroalgae composition comprises 25 to 45 w/w% macroalgae of brown algae ( Phaeophyta ), 25 to 45 w/w% macroal gae of green algae ( Chlorophyta ), and 25 to 45 w/w% macroalgae of red al gae ( Rhodophyta ). These percentage amounts refer to the composition of the macroalgae composition by itself.

This may advantageously balance the nutritional content and other beneficial compounds of each the macroalgae species. These amounts are based on dry weight of the respective macroalga in the macroalgae composi tion.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement the macroalgae composition constitutes 0.5 to 5 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, prefera bly about 1 to 3 w/w% more preferably about 1 w/w%. Such amounts of macroalgae composition are sufficient to provide the beneficial effects of the supplement, and not having a surplus of macroalgae which is left undigested by the user. The specific amount of the macroalgae composition is chosen according to the application for which the product is designed, as some users may have a higher need for e.g. plant fiber, such as grazing animals, such as horses, who have a strong dependency due to their diet on gastrointestinal bacteria to help digest fiber by microbial fermentation. Adapting the amount of macroalgae composition in the nutritional supplement to the specific applica tion, e.g. specific animal, is within the knowledge of the skilled person. In some embodiments, the fish protein source constitutes at least 50 w/w%, preferably 60 w/w%, more preferably 70 to 90 w/w% of the nutritional supplement. A nutritional supplement comprising 60 to 90 w/w% may also be suitable.

Such amounts of the fish protein source provide a nutritional supple ment with a high protein content, making it viable for use as protein supple ment, in particular as a supplement for supplement for building muscle mass. Having a high protein content may be important in some applications as less nutritional supplement is needed, making it viable for use as an ingredient in health foods or to e.g. not impair an animals other feed intake due to e.g. sa tiety.

In some embodiments, the fish protein source is of the blue whiting genus ( Micromesistius ), preferably blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou). Fish of the micromesistius genus, especially Micromesistius poutassou, pro vide fish protein suitable for use in nutritional supplements according to the invention. The amino acid profile of Micromesistius may be especially suitable for building muscle mass. Micromesistius also have a low content of heavy metals, e.g. mercury, due to their diet. Hence, nutritional supplements made with fish protein of Micromesistius may pose a lesser risk of bioaccumulation of heavy metals than other fish, and the nutritional supplements of Mi cromesistius can thus be eaten in greater quantities and for longer time. Fish of the blue whiting genus ( Micromesistius ) further have the advantage of be ing a sustainable source of fish protein.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement has a protein con tent of at least 40 w/w%, preferably at least 50 w/w%, more preferably at least 60 w/w%. The protein content can be estimated by the Kjeldahl N number using a multiplier of 6.25.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement further comprises shrimp shell meal, preferably wherein the shrimp shell meal constitutes 1 to 5 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, preferably 2 to 4 w/w%.

Shrimp shell meal is an additional source of animal protein in nutri tional supplement and is a source of chitin which is a prebiotic, thus further improving the nutritional balance of the nutritional supplement. Providing an other type of saccharides, that is animal fiber, such as chitin, may have fur ther beneficial effects on the microbiota of the user. Shrimp shell meal may be preferable in the animal feed supplements but may be considered in supple ment for humans.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement further comprises an extract of laminarin and/or fucoidan from macroalgae. Fucoidans and lam- inarins are known to be biologically active and reported to have beneficial ef fects.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement is in a granular. Granular nutritional supplements may be obtained by using fish meal and/or dry fish hydrolysate as the fish protein source and a dried granular macroal gae composition.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement is an animal feed supplement.

The animal feed supplement is a nutritional supplement according to the invention, but the fish protein source of the animal feed supplement may be prepared from whole fish. Animal feed supplements are fed to the ani mals) in addition to their normal diet. The animal feed supplement may be an animal feed protein supplement.

In some embodiments, the nutritional supplement is a human nutri tional supplement.

A human nutritional supplement is a nutritional supplement which suitable for human intake. The human nutritional supplement may be a hu man protein supplement. The human nutritional supplement is a nutritional supplement according to the invention, but the fish protein source of the hu man nutritional supplement is fish meal and/or fish hydrolysate prepared from fish from which the guts and heads have been removed.

In a second aspect of the invention the nutritional supplement is used in health foods. The nutritional supplement may be used in protein bars, pro tein powders, protein shakes or beverages. The nutritional supplement may be used in capsules. Health foods may be enriched with the nutritional sup- plement, such as pastes.

In another aspect there is provided a nutritional supplement accord ing to the first aspect for use in therapy, preferably prophylaxis and/or treat ment of an infectious disease, such as coronavirus disease 2019.

Detailed Description

The nutritional supplement according to the invention is understood to be a food or feed product to be consumed in addition to or as a replace ment of part the normal diet of the user. The nutritional supplement according to invention can be in the form of granulate which can be used as a food or feed product or as ingredient in a food or feed products. The nutritional sup plement can also be used in beverages.

The fish protein source as used herein is the form of raw tissue of fish, fish meal or fish hydrolysate. Raw tissue is understood to be fresh fish which has not been heat-treated or dried, but it may be fileted, deboned, degutted, minced or have undergone similar treatment. Whole fish are used for making the fish protein source, and not fish waste or the like, to obtain a fish protein source which is rich in protein and other nutrients. However, for obtaining a food grade fish protein source may be made of fish from which the heads and guts have been removed. A fish protein source, which is prepared from whole fish or fish from which the heads and guts have been removed, may have a suitable amino acid profile, i.e. have balanced content of each of the amino acids, especially the essential amino acids, while protein sources prepared from fish waste, such as fish skin, scales may be deficient in their content of some amino acids. Fish protein sources, which are prepared from whole fish or fish from which the heads and guts have been removed, may also have a higher content of fatty acids, such as Omega3, than fish protein sources prepared from fish waste. Depending in the intended use of the nutri tional supplement, the fish protein source may be the raw tissue of fish, fish meal, fish hydrolysate or a combination thereof. The fish protein source is suitably of the blue whiting genus, by which it is understood that the fish pro tein source is prepared from fish of the blue whiting genus. In the context of the invention this can be a blue whiting fish meal, blue whiting fish hydroly sate or raw tissue of blue whiting.

The choice of fish protein source depends on the application of the nutritional supplement. Fish meal can provide a high protein content in the supplement and a long shelf life. The fish meal may have a protein content of at least 60 w/w%, typically about 70 w/w%. Fish meal is a nutritionally effec tive and economically viable source of fish protein. The hydrolyzed protein in fish hydrolysate may be advantageous in some applications, providing pep tides which are easily digested by the user. The protein content of fish hydrol ysate may be about 90 %. Fish hydrolysate may also be advantageous in ap plication where nutritional supplement is to be dissolved.

For nutritional supplements which are animal feed supplements the fish protein source is preferably made from the whole fish as it reduces the number of processing steps, and all the beneficial components of the fish can be included in the animal feed supplement, such as fatty acids and minerals. In some animal feed supplements, it may be desirable to use the raw tissue of the source of protein, such as wet pet foods. The raw tissue can be of the whole fish or of e.g. deboned and/or degutted fish. The raw tissue can be comminuted, e.g. minced or the like. Using raw fish tissue is advantageous as all the nutrients of the fish will be present in the animal feed supplement, e.g. fatty acids (such as Omega3), minerals and vitamins. In other animal feed supplements, the fish protein source is a combination of the raw tissue and fish hydrolysate and/or fish meal, where the meal and/or hydrolysate serves to increase the protein content and act as binder, or to improve texture or sensory impression. For dry animal feed supplements fish meal is used as the fish protein source, optionally in combination with fish hydrolysate to increase the protein content.

For human nutritional supplements, that is nutritional supplements in tended for consumption by humans, the fish protein should be of food grade, and hence it should be made of fish from which the head and guts have been removed. Fluman nutritional supplements are made using fish meal and/or hydrolysates as the fish protein source. The human nutritional supplements are suitably provided in dry granular form which can be used in preparing health foods such as protein shakes, capsules, protein bars and beverages.

The macroalgae composition is preferably provided in a dried granu lar form. A low water content in the dried granular microalgae composition is desirable for increasing shelf life. The term “macroalgae” is understood to be types of seaweed. Macroalgae grown in cold-water climates, such as macroalgae from Scandinavia, may be especially suitable for use in the macroalgae composition, due to their high content of polysaccharides, such as fucoidans and laminarins in brown macroalgae. The terms brown, green and red macroalgae as used herein refers to macroalgae from the Phae- ophyta, Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta groups respectively. In addition to the macroalgae species, these groups contain other species such as microalgae. The macroalgae composition may be prepared by mixing dry granulates of each of macroalga species of the macroalgae composition. Alternatively, it could be prepared by drying a mixture of the fresh macroalga species of the macroalgae composition. Several methods for drying seaweed are known in the art such as hot-air drying, freeze drying and vacuum drying.

The macroalgae composition can comprise more than one macroal gae from each of the groups of brown, green and red macroalgae.

The nutritional supplement can be made by adding the macroalgae composition in a dry granular form to raw fish, mincing and mixing and sub sequently drying the mixture to obtain the nutritional supplement as a dry granulate. Alternatively, the fish protein source may be provided as a fish meal or fish hydrolysate to which the macroalgae composition in dry granular form is added to obtain the nutritional supplement. Methods for preparing fish meals and hydrolysates are well-known to the skilled person. The production of fish meal or dried fish hydrolysate may cause a loss of amino acids, espe cially methionine and lysine, due to heat treating and/or drying steps. The pro teins of the macroalgae composition are more stable, and hence the macroalgae composition may be a supplement of these amino acids in the nutritional supplement, which can be advantageous as a supplement which is limited in an amino acid will adversely affect the net protein utilization The nutritional supplement can contain further ingredients as is suit ed for the application of the nutritional supplement. Animal feed supplements may in some embodiments contain further ingredients such as yeasts, oil, fruit pulps and/or preservatives. The animal feed supplement can be used as a supplementary feed. Beer yeast can be added as a source of vitamins and minerals and will furthermore contribute to the protein content of the animal feed supplement. Oils may be added as a source of fatty acids. Typical oils can be olive or canola (rapeseed) oil. Fruit pulps can be added to improve the sensory impression of the animal feed supplement, e.g. to provide a taste which is appealing to the animal or the mask the smell of fish if that is pre sent. Preservatives may be required in some applications, especially for sup plements based on raw fish tissue. Suitable preservatives can be lactic acid.

Other ingredients can be can be added to nutritional supplement such as shrimp shell meal and extracts of fucoidan and/or laminarin. Such extracts are understood to be fucoidan and/or laminarin which has been ex tracted or purified from macroalgae. Such extracts can be obtained by several methods known in the art including acid and salt extractions, but other meth ods are known. Depending on the purity of the extract, such extracts may constitute 0.1 to 1 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, such as about 0.1 to 0.5 w/w % or 0.2 w/w%.

The amount of fish protein source and macroalgae can vary accord ing to the intended use of the nutritional supplement. Typically, the content of fish protein source is high, typically at least 60 w/w% or in the range of 70 to 90 w/w%. This can be combined with the macroalgae composition amounting to 0.5 to 5 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, or 1 to 3 w/w%. Typically, about 1 w/w% will be suitable. Depending on the choice of fish protein source, i.e. raw tissue, fish meal, fish hydrolysate or combinations thereof, this may provide a nutritional supplement which has a protein content of at least 40 w/w% and even at least 50 w/w % or at least 60 w/w%.

It will be appreciated that the beneficial effects of the nutritional sup plement can be obtained using a number of different species of macroalgae for the macroalgae composition. Accordingly, in some embodiments the macroalgae composition comprises at least one brown macroalga selected from the groups Fucales and Laminaria, and/or the species Fucus vesicu- losus, Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta, Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus Spiralis, Fucus evanescens, Laminaria digitate, Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Nereocystis luetkeana, Himanthalia elongate, and Laminaria hyperborean; at least one green macroalgae selected from the groups Ulva and Monostroma, and/or the species Ulva intestinalis, Ulva compressa, Ulva lactuca, Ulva fenestrate, Ulva rigida, Ulva Linza, Codium fragile, Ulvaria fusca, Umbraulva dangeardii, Monostroma angicava, Mo nostroma arcticum, Monostroma kuroshiense, Monostroma grevillea, and Monostroma nitidum ; and at least one red macroalgae selected from the groups Porphyra and Callophyllis and/or the species Palmaria palmata, Chondrus crispus, Dilsea Carnosa, Porphyra dioica, Porphyra linearis, Porphyra umbilicalis, Calliblepharis jubata, Catenella caespitose, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Mastocarpus stellatus. Similarly, the amount of each macroalgae present in the macroalgae composition may vary. A macroalgae composition which comprises about 25 to 45 w/w% of brown macroalgae, about 25 to 45 w/w% of the red macroalgae, about 25 to 45 w/w% of green macroalgae has been found to suitably balance the properties of each macroalgae type. One macroalgae composition according to the invention may thus comprises about 41 w/w% brown macroalgae, about 29 w/w% green macroalgae and 29 % red macroalgae (the remainder expressing the uncertainty of the numbers). Such macroalgae compositions can be present in the nutritional supplement in the amounts described above.

In some embodiments, the at least one brown macroalga is selected from Fucales and/or Laminaria, the at least one green macroalga is selected from Ulva and/or Monostroma, and/or at least one red macroalga is selected from Porphyra and Callophyllis.

The content of each type of macroalga, brown, green and red, may each be about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of the nutritional supplement. Hence, the nutri tional supplement may comprise 0.5 to 0.7 % of brown macroalgae and 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of red or green macroalgae, whereby the macroalgae composition is in the range of 30 to 58 w/w% of each type. Alternatively, the nutritional supplement may comprise 0.5 to 0.7 % of brown macroalgae, 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of red macroalgae, and 0.5 to 0.7 w/w % of red or green macroalgae, whereby the macroalgae composition is in the range of 29 to 41 w/w% of each type.

In a specific embodiment the nutritional supplement comprises a fish protein source of the blue whiting genus, and a macroalgae composition, wherein the macroalgae composition comprises at least one macroalga se lected from brown algae (Phaeophyta), at least one macroalga selected from green algae (Chlorophyta) and at least one macroalga selected from red al gae (Rhodophyta), the fish protein source constitutes at least 60 w/w%, pref erably 70 to 90 w/w%, and the macroalgae composition constitutes about 0.5 to 5 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, preferably about 1 to 3 w/w%, more preferably about 1 w/w%.

In the following the invention is described by way of the following non-limiting examples.

Example I: Amino acid content moacroalgae composition and fish protein sources

A macroalgae composition which contains brown, red and green macroalgae was prepared from dry algae granulates. The macroalgae com position contained about a third of each macroalgae type (Brown, red and green macroalgae) by weight. The amino acid content of the macroalgae composition was analyzed according to ISO 13903:2005, the results are shown in Table 1 along with the corresponding results for two fish meals and a fish hydrolysate granulate all of Micromesistius poutassou.

Table 1:

Example II: Nutritional supplement for cats and dogs 1 A nutritional supplement for cats and dogs has the composition:

- 86.44 w/w% blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) fish meal - 1.82 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hy drolysate

- 7.26 w/w% sunflower oil

- 1.21 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae - 0.48 w/w% Saccharina latissima granulate

- 1.82 w/w% beer yeast

- 0.42 w/w% lactic acid (80 % solution)

- 0.54 w/w% citric acid

This nutritional supplement comprises both blue whiting fish meal and dry blue whiting hydrolysate as the fish protein source. It comprises granulate of Saccharina latissima in addition to its content of the macroalgae composition. Daily dose; 2 to 3 g per kg body weight, - up to 50% of daily feed intake. The nutritional content of the supplement is shown in table 2.

Table 2:

Example III: Nutritional supplement for cats and dogs 2 Another nutritional supplement for cats and dogs has the composi tion: - 88.29 w/w% of the nutritional supplement of example II

- 0.88 w/w% shrimp shell meal

- 1.41 w/w% dried apple pulp

- 0.53 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae - 8.48 w/w% sunflower oil

- 0.41 w/w% lactic acid (80 % solution)

Daily dose; 2 to 3 g per kg body weight, - up to 50% of daily feed in take. The nutritional content of the supplement is shown in table 3.

Table 3:

Example IV: Nutritional supplement for dogs (top-dressing)

A nutritional supplement for dogs has the following composition:

- 50 w/w% blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) fish meal - 9 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hydroly sate

- 19 w/w% dried apple pulp

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae - 14 w/w% rapeseed oil

- 4 w/w% Lallemand Agrimos (yeast)

- 3 w/w% molasses

This nutritional supplement comprises both blue whiting fish meal and dry blue whiting hydrolysate as the fish protein source. The nutritional supplement is a dry pellet supplement which can be used as top-dressing. Daily dose; 2 to 6 g per kg body weight, - up to 50% of daily feed intake. The nutritional content of the supplement is shown in table 4.

Table 4:

Example V: Nutritional supplement for cats (top-dressing)

A nutritional supplement for cats has the following composition:

- 85 w/w% blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) fish meal - 9 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hydroly sate

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

- 3 w/w% Lallemand Agrimos (yeast) - 2 w/w% molasses

This nutritional supplement comprises both blue whiting fish meal and dry blue whiting hydrolysate as the fish protein source. The nutritional supplement is a dry pellet supplement which can be used as top-dressing. Daily dose; 2 to 3 g per kg body weight, - up to 50% of daily feed intake. The nutritional content of the supplement is shown in table 5.

Table 5:

Example VI: Test of a cat supplement

A nutritional supplement was tested at a cat shelter. The nutritional supplement contained fish meal of blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) and a macroalgae composition made of dry granulate of brown macroalgae, green macroalgae and red macroalgae.

The cat shelter had experienced gastrointestinal issues with their cats, who displayed symptoms such as diarrhea and badly smelling stools. Previously the shelter had tried several remedies for these gastrointestinal issues, but without satisfactory results, the problems being low success rates, and/or long treatment times (7-14 days). Some treatments even had to be fed to the cats with a syringe as the cats did not like the treatments, making the treatment difficult to practice. Gastrointestinal issues can be a serious matter, and in some cases cats who suffer from gastrointestinal issues are put down when treatments have been ineffective.

A cat at the shelter with these symptoms were given the nutritional supplement in amounts about 5 measurements of per day. The supplement was added to the normal diet of wet cat food. The cat ate it enthusiastically. The cat’s symptoms improved already during the first day and on day 2 the bad smell and diarrhea was gone. Afterwards the shelter started giving the supplement to all the cats at the shelter and report that the gastrointestinal systems of the cats are fine, and their litterboxes do not display signs of gastrointestinal issues.

It is believed that the improvements in gastrointestinal health demon- strated in this test, is achieved by the nutritional supplement aiding the re building and maintenance of the microbiota of the cats, leading to an im proved state of health. These effects were achieved quickly and without need for administering the supplement by force. Example VII: Equine feed supplement

A nutritional supplement for horses according to the invention has the following composition:

- 82.8 w/w% blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) fish meal

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

2 w/w% shrimp shell meal 14 w/w% dried apple pulp 0.2 w/w% Laminarin extract

Example VIII: Additional feed supplements for cats

A nutritional supplement for cats in dry pellet form according to the invention has the following composition:

- 90 w/w% blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) fish meal

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae 4 w/w% beer yeast

2 w/w% shrimp shell meal

3 w/w% olive-/rapeseed oil

A nutritional supplement for cats in wet form according to the inven tion has the following composition:

- 78 w/w% minced blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) - 8 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hydroly sate

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

- 3 w/w% beer yeast

- 4 w/w% lactic acid preservative

- 6 w/w% olive-/rapeseed oil

Another nutritional supplement for cats in wet form according to the invention has the following composition:

- 80 w/w% minced blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou)

- 5 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hydroly sate

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

- 3 w/w% beer yeast

- 3 w/w% shrimp shell meal

- 3 w/w% lactic acid preservative

- 5 w/w% olive-/rapeseed oil

Example IX: Additional feed supplements for dogs A nutritional supplement for dogs in dry pellet form according to the invention has the following composition:

- 78 w/w% blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) fish meal

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

- 4 w/w% beer yeast

- 14 w/w% dried apple pulp

- 3 w/w% olive-/rapeseed oil

A nutritional supplement for dogs in wet form according to the inven tion has the following composition: 78 w/w% minced blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou)

8 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hydroly sate

1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

3 w/w% beer yeast

4 w/w% lactic acid preservative 6 w/w% olive-/rapeseed oil

Another nutritional supplement for dogs in wet form according to the invention has the following composition:

- 70 w/w% minced blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou)

- 5 w/w% dried blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou) hydroly sate

- 1 w/w% macroalgae composition of brown, red and green macroalgae

- 3 w/w% beer yeast

- 3 w/w% shrimp shell meal

- 3 w/w% lactic acid preservative

- 10 w/w% olive-/rapeseed oil

- 5 w/w% dried apple pulp

Also disclosed herein is a granular nutritional composition comprising a protein source of aquatic animal origin; and a protein source of algae origin, wherein the granular nutritional composition is obtained by a method compris ing providing a raw tissue of an aquatic animal as the protein source of aquat ic animal origin, wherein the raw tissue is of one or more aquatic animal spe cies; providing an algae substance as the protein source of algae origin, the algae substance optionally being in a dried form, wherein the algae substance comprises one or more algae species and/or the algae substance comprises at least 2 % protein of algae origin by dry weight, antioxidant of algae origin and saccharides of algae origin; mixing the raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance; comminuting the mix; and heating the mix to a tem perature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C to reduce the water content of the mix.

The algae substance that is optionally in a dried form, and which comprises one or more algae species and/or at least 2 % protein of algae origin by dry weight, antioxidant of algae origin and saccharides of algae origin, have a stabilizing effect on the aquatic animal protein. The stabilizing effect is provided by antioxidant and/or saccharide components of the algae substance.

The stabilizing effect of the algae substance decreases the loss of nu trients of the protein source of the aquatic animal, especially amino acids, during preparation of the nutritional granular composition and during storage of the nutritional granular composition. A stabilizing effect is especially need ed to prevent loss of nutrients during heating of the protein source of algae origin, especially at temperatures above 40 °C, even more so at temperatures above 80 °C. Adding the algae substance to the protein source of aquatic an imal origin before heating the protein source of the aquatic animal will there fore result in a markedly decreased loss of amino acids originating from the protein source of aquatic animal origin, in comparison to heating the protein source of aquatic animal origin without the algae substance.

In addition to the above stated effect, the algae substance provides the nutritional granular composition with protein of algae origin. Thus, the al gae substance has a dual purpose: it enhances the stability of the aquatic animal protein and is a source of protein in itself. Thus, the it enables the pro vision of protein rich meals with high nutritional value by providing a protein source of aquatic animal origin containing protein of high nutritional value in combination with a stabilizing algae substance which simultaneously contrib utes to the nutritional value (e.g. protein level) of the meal. Furthermore, with out being bound by theory, protein of algae origin may be more stable than protein of aquatic animal origin. The stability of the protein of algae origin may be related to the antioxidant components of algae and/or the structure of al gae protein and/or that the proteins are naturally bound to or adhered to sac- charides (such as polysaccharides) and or a combination of these effects. Especially, the stability of the protein of algae origin may be related to the polysaccharide components of the protein source of algae origin forming complexes with the protein of algae origin.

The algae substance is optionally provided in a dried form obtained by means such as drying the algae substance at a temperature in a range such as 30 °C to 80 °C, preferably in a range of 30 °C to 50 °C and even more preferably at 40 °C. The algae substance optionally provided in a dried form may have been dried by freeze-drying (lyophilization). The algae sub stance may be comminuted before drying. Drying the algae substance at a lower temperature, such as 40 °C, may have the effect of preserving the nutri tional value of the algae substance.

The nutritional granular composition is preferably obtained with a heating step, where the mix is heated to a temperature of 40 °C to 150 °C and even more preferably to a temperature of 80 °C to 140 °C. By heating is meant elevating the temperature of the mixture from a temperature lower than 80 °C to a temperature of 80 °C to 140 °C. The temperature lower than 80 °C could for instance be ambient temperature or a cold storage temperature such as 1 -18 °C. Heating to 40 °C to 150 °C or to 80 °C to 140 °C has several effects including:

• diffusion of algae components into the aquatic animal protein, saccha rides (such as polysaccharides) and/or antioxidant components;

• elimination of microbial organisms, which enhances shelf life;

• faster evaporation of water from the granular nutritional composition, reducing the production time. The removal of water also enhances shelf life.

Thoroughly diffusing the components of the algae substance into the protein source of aquatic animal origin enhances the stabilizing effect of the algae components on the aquatic animal protein. It is believed that this effect improves with a more homogenous distribution of the algae components. At greater temperature, the diffusing effect is greater than at lower temperatures. Heating to 80 °C to 140 °C is therefore preferred over heating at below 80 °C. Furthermore, temperatures at 80 °C to 140 °C are preferred because they may result in a preferred general consistency and especially viscosity of the mix.

Advantageously, the algae substance is provided as a granular mate rial having a D90 particle size of 100 pm to 500 pm, so that the algae sub stance is more easily mixed into the protein source of the aquatic animal origin. D90 particle sizes of below 100 pm may aggregate to form larger parti cles and particles above 500 pm may be more difficult to distribute into the source of the aquatic animal protein. Furthermore, adding algae protein as a granular material having a D90 particle size of 100 pm to 500 pm to the source of the aquatic animal protein yields a mixture with a viscosity and/or agglomeration level, which is suitable for drying. The viscosity and/or ag glomeration level is especially suitable for drying by means of a cyclone dryer, pneumatic dryer, fluid-bed dryer, oven dryer or a spray drier.

Preferably, the nutritional granular composition comprises algae of at least two or more algae species. Having two or more algae species in the composition advantageously results in a greater number of different stabiliz ing agents being present in the composition, further enhancing stability and nutritional value of the composition. A further advantage of having two or more algae species is that it provides an amino acid profile suitable for animal or human consumption and even more suitable for human consumption with the goal of building muscle mass.

Preferably, the algae of the nutritional granular composition is/are (a) macroalgae and/or (an) algae species selected from the group consisting of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta. These algae or mixes of algae have superior stabilizing components such as saccharides (polysaccharides) or antioxidants.

The algae may be a mix of several algae taxons or algae from a sin gle taxon, such as a mix of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta; a mix of Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta; a mix of Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta; a mix of Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta; Chlorophyta; Rhodophyta or Phaeophyta.

Preferably, the protein source of aquatic animal origin is of a fish. Fish are an advantageous protein source as they contain high levels of highly digestible proteins and have an amino acid composition suitable for human and animal consumption and especially for consumption with the intend of building muscle mass.

Preferably, the protein source of aquatic animal origin is of a Mi- cromesistius genus. Fish species of Micromesistius contain an especially pre ferred amino acid composition for animal and human consumption. The ami no acid composition of fish species of Micromesistius is especially suitable for human consumption and even more suitable for human consumption with the goal of building muscle mass. Fish of the Micromesistius genus could be Mi cromesistius poutassou.

Preferably, the nutritional granular composition comprises 5 % to 25 % by weight of the algae substance, even more preferably 10-17%, most preferably 11-15%. Such a content of the algae substance provides a desira ble level of stabilizing algae components such as saccharides (polysaccha rides) and antioxidants and algae proteins.

The raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance is mixed such that raw tissue of an aquatic animal comprises the main part of the mix, such as 1 part algae substance to 35 parts raw tissue of an aquatic animal, such as 1 part algae substance to 30 parts raw tissue of an aquatic animal, such as 1 part algae substance to 25 parts raw tissue of an aquatic animal, such as 1 part algae substance to 20 parts raw tissue of an aquatic animal, such as 1 part algae substance to 15 parts raw tissue of an aquatic animal, such as 1 part algae substance to 9 parts raw tissue of an aquatic animal.

Preferably, the granules of the nutritional granular has a D90 particle size of less than 500 pm, such as 100 pm to 500 pm, preferably 200 pm to 400 pm, even more preferably 250 pm to 350 pm. Granules of a D90 particle size of less than 500 pm has the advantage of being easier to encapsulate in capsules and are more easily suspended in a fluid/liquid, both of which are preferred ways for humans to consume such compositions.

Preferably, the nutritional granular composition has a water content of less than 20 % by weight. It is generally preferred that the water content is kept low, as the water activity is correlated with the general stability/shelf life of the composition.

Also disclosed herein is a granular nutritional composition, which comprises a protein source of aquatic animal origin; and a protein source of algae origin, which is of one or more algae species, wherein the protein source of algae origin comprises at least 0.8 mg/g of methionine by dry weight, at least 2 mg/g of glycine by dry weight and at least 2 mg/g of arginine by dry weight and the protein source of aquatic animal origin comprises at least 3 mg/g of methionine by dry weight, at least 5 mg/g of glycine by dry weight and at least 7 mg/g of arginine by dry weight. The amino acid profile of the composition is especially suitable for animal or human consumption and even more suitable for human consumption with the goal of building muscle mass. Furthermore, including a protein source of algae origin in the composi tion has a dual purpose: it enhances the stability of the aquatic animal protein and is in itself a source of protein. Thus, the composition is a meal of high nutritional value. Furthermore, without being bound by theory, protein of algae origin may be more stable than protein of aquatic animal origin. The stability of the protein of algae origin may be related to the antioxidant components of algae and/or the structure of algae protein and/or that the proteins are natu rally bound to or adhered to saccharides (such as polysaccharides) and/or a combination of these effects. Especially, the stability of the protein of algae origin may be related to the polysaccharide components of the second protein source forming complex with the protein of algae origin. The stabilizing effects may lessen the degree of loss of the amino acids originating from the aquatic animal during the storage of the composition over longer periods of storage, such as months of storage, than if the composition only comprised amino ac ids of aquatic animal origin.

Advantageously, in the granular nutritional composition which com prises a protein source of an aquatic animal origin; and a protein source of an algae origin, the protein source of an algae origin is less digestible than the protein source of an aquatic animal origin. Without being bound by theory, the digestibility of the protein source of an algae origin may be lower due the structure of algae protein and/or that the proteins are naturally bound to or adhered to saccharides (such as polysaccharides) and or a combination of these effects. Especially, the digestibility of the protein of algae origin may be related to the polysaccharide components of the second protein source form ing complexes with the protein of algae origin. The lower digestibility the pro tein source of an algae origin provides the effect of proteins being available in a latter part of the digestive system of the consumer, such as the jejunum and ileum of the small intestine or the large intestine or the colon. Protein availa bility in the latter part of the digestive system may provide the advantages of, without being bound by theory, a protracted protein absorption in the digestive system and a sustained protein supply to the consumer; protein availability to gastrointestinal microbiota in the latter part of the digestive system contrib uting to growth and maintenance of gastrointestinal microbiota, which may contribute to increased microbial protein synthesis and increased bacterial digestion of nutrients such as protein, peptides and dietary fibre.

Also disclosed herein a process for the preparation of a granular nu tritional composition is provided, which comprises the steps of: providing a raw tissue of an aquatic animal as the protein source of aquatic animal origin, wherein the raw tissue is of one or more aquatic animal species; providing an algae substance as the protein source of algae origin, the algae substance optionally being in a dried form, wherein the algae substance comprises one or more algae species and/or the algae substance comprises at least 2 % protein of algae origin by dry weight, antioxidant of algae origin and saccha rides of algae origin; mixing the protein source of aquatic animal origin and the protein source of algae origin; comminuting the mix; and heating the mix to a temperature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C to reduce the water content of the mix. Such a process may produce a protein rich product of high nutri tional value (amino acid composition suitable for animal and human consump tion) and with a longer shelf life, than a similar process, where the addition of a source of the algae protein was excluded. A further advantage is that the product of high nutritional value (e.g. low loss of aquatic animal amino acids) may be achieved without having to add/apply costly purified, extracted or oth- erwise cumbersomely isolated materials for stabilizing the aquatic animal amino acids. Hence the process presents a simplified means of producing a protein rich product based on aquatic animals and algae.

The nutritional granular composition is generally suitable for con sumption for humans and animals and may generally be used as a food/feed ingredient or as food or feed. The nutritional granular composition can be used as an ingredient in many different kinds of foods or feed. The nutritional granular composition may for instance be an ingredient in foods such as nu trient supplements, such as capsules with nutrients or protein powder com monly used by athletes or body builders. For example, the nutritional granular composition can be provided as a powder or granular substance inside a capsule or it can be an ingredient in a protein powder composition. The nutri tional granular or powder composition may also be mixed with an aqueous fluid, such as to form a so called protein shake, protein drink or amino acid supplement drink. The composition can also be added to or be used for pre paring creams, pastes or animal feed. The composition in itself can be used as animal feed.

Generally, the nutritional granular composition is in a dried form. Preferably, the water content of the composition is below 20% by weight, more preferably 10-15% by weight, even more preferably 5 to 8% by weight. A low water content enhances shelf life and limits degradation of nutrients.

The method for obtaining the granular nutritional comprises providing a raw tissue of an aquatic animal as the protein source of aquatic animal origin, wherein the raw tissue is of one or more aquatic animal spe cies; providing an algae substance as the protein source of algae origin, the algae substance optionally being in a dried form, wherein the algae substance comprises one or more algae species and/or the algae substance comprises at least 2 % protein of algae origin by dry weight, antioxidant of algae origin and saccharides of algae origin; mixing the raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance; comminuting the mix; and heating the mix to a tem perature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C to reduce the water content of the mix. Mixing the raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance dis- tributes the algae substance in the raw tissue of an aquatic animal. Ideally the mixing homogenizes the mix. The mix of raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance may be held for an amount of time before further processing. Such a holding step may allow for further diffusion of the algae components into the aquatic animal protein enhancing the stabilizing effect of the algae components on the aquatic animal protein. Comminuting the mix reduces the particle size of mix. The comminution process may result in a comminuted mix which may be more suitable for drying due to increased evaporation from smaller particles and/or easier fluidization in a drying pro cess, such as a cyclone drying or spray drying process. The comminuted mix may be further mixed to ideally homogenize the mix. The comminution of the mix may be performed after and/or before and/or simultaneously with the mix ing of the raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance. Heating the mix to a temperature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C to reduce the water content of the mix results in the granular nutritional composition. By heating is meant elevating the temperature of the mixture from a temperature lower than 40 °C to a temperature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C. The elevation of the temperature may be gradual. Gradual temperature elevation may be achieved in an oven dryer. Heating the mix may also be a rapid temperature increase. Rapid temperature increase may be achieved using processes such as cy clone drying, spray drying or flash drying, where the mix is introduced to a gas stream with a temperature of 80 °C to 140 °C vaporizing the water rapidly to reduce the water content of the mix. In processes such as cyclone drying, spray drying or flash drying, all components of the mix may not reach a tem perature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C, due to the heat of vaporization, but such processes should be understood to be comprised in the step of heating the mix to a temperature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C to reduce the water content of the mix. The heating may take place at reduced pressure to reduce the boiling point of water. The granular nutritional composition may be com minuted to reduce the particle size of the dried granulate. The granular nutri tional composition may be cooled to ambient temperature. The granular nutri tional composition may be packed in bulk or further packed to a product such as a capsule or bag comprising the granular nutritional composition.

In an embodiment the granular nutritional composition comprises aquatic an imal protein from raw tissue of a Micromesisitius poutassou.

In an embodiment the granular nutritional composition comprises algae pro tein from an algae substance consisting of 1 part of Chlorophyta by weight, 1 part of Phaeophyta by weight and 1 part of Rhodophyta by weight.

In an embodiment the granular nutritional composition comprises algae pro tein from a dried granular algae substance.

In an embodiment the granular nutritional composition comprises algae pro tein from dried granular algae substance with a D90 particle of 300 pm.

In an example for preparation of the granular nutritional composition raw Micromesistius poutassou tissue is mixed 27:1 (weight based) with 1 part dry algae granulate having a D90 particle size of approximately 300 pm, the algae granulate being made from Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta algae. The mixture is ground and stirred. A portion of this mix is sampled for analysis of amino acid content, and the sample is called mix product before heating. The mixture is then dried by cyclone drying at a temperature of 120 °C to 130 °C degrees. The product is cooled to ambient temperature. The product yielded by this process is called mix product after heating. A portion of this mix is sampled for analysis of amino acid content. Subsequently an other portion of raw Micromesistius poutassou tissue is ground and stirred. A portion of this product is sampled for analysis of amino acid content, the sam ple is called fish product before heating. The product is then dried by cyclone drying at a temperature of 120 °C to 130 °C degrees. The dried product is cooled to ambient temperature. The dried product yielded by this process is called fish product after heating. Subsequently a portion of a dry algae granu late having a D90 particle size of approximately 300 pm, the algae granulate being made from Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta algae is ground. A portion of this ground product is sampled for analysis of amino acid content, the sample is called algae product before heating. The ground product is then heated to a temperature of 120 °C to 130 °C degrees. The product is cooled to ambient temperature. The product yielded by this process is called fish product after heating.

In another example of the preparation of the granular nutritional composition, raw Micromesistius poutassou tissue was mixed 27:1 (weight based) with a dry algae granulate having a D90 particle size of approximately 300 pm, the algae granulate being made from Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta algae. The mixture was ground and stirred. The mixture was then dried by cyclone drying at a temperature of 120 °C to 130 °C degrees. The process yielded particles having a D90 of approx. 200-300 pm.

The granular nutritional composition may comprise a protein source of aquatic animal origin; and a protein source of algae origin, which is of one or more algae species, wherein the protein source of algae origin comprises at least 0.8 mg/g of methionine by dry weight, at least 2 mg/g of glycine by dry weight and at least 2 mg/g of arginine by dry weight and the protein source of aquatic animal origin comprises at least 3 mg/g of methionine by dry weight, at least 5 mg/g of glycine by dry weight and at least 7 mg/g of arginine by dry weight.

The granular nutritional composition may comprise a protein source of aquatic animal origin; and a protein source of algae origin, which is of one or more algae species, wherein the protein source of algae origin comprises at least 0.8 mg/g of methionine by dry weight, at least 2 mg/g of glycine by dry weight and at least 2 mg/g of arginine by dry weight and the protein source of aquatic animal origin comprises at least 3 mg/g of methionine by dry weight, at least 5 mg/g of glycine by dry weight and at least 7 mg/g of arginine by dry weight, wherein the algae protein further comprises at least 7 mg/g of asparagine by dry weight, at least 6 mg/g of glutamic acid by dry weight, at least 7 mg/g of alanine by dry weight, at least 1.5 mg/g of cysteine by dry weight, at least 0.8 mg/g of histidine by dry weight, at least 3 mg/g of isoleucine by dry weight, at least 5 mg/g of leucine by dry weight, at least 3 mg/g of lysine by dry weight, at least 5 mg/g of phenylaniline by dry weight, at least 3.5 mg/g of proline by dry weight, at least 4.5 mg/g of serine by dry weight, at least 4 mg/g of threonine by dry weight, at least 3 mg/g of tyrosine by dry weight, at least 4.5 mg/g of valine by dry weight and at least 2 mg/g of taurine by dry weight and the aquatic animal protein further compris es at least 23 mg/g of asparagine acid by dry weight, at least 33.5 mg/g of glutamic acid by dry weight, at least 13.5 mg/g of alanine by dry weight, at least 2 mg/g of cysteine by dry weight, at least 6.5 mg/g of histidine by dry weight, at least 10 mg/g of isoleucine by dry weight, at least 18 mg/g of leu cine by dry weight, at least 20 mg/g of lysine by dry weight, at least 9 mg/g of phenylaniline by dry weight, at least 8 mg/g of proline by dry weight, at least 9 mg/g of serine by dry weight, at least 10 mg/g of threonine by dry weight, at least 7.5 mg/g of tyrosine by dry weight, at least 11 mg/g of valine by dry weight and at least 5 mg/g of taurine by dry weight.

In the granular nutritional composition as disclosed herein the algae may be algae of two or more algae species.

A granular nutritional composition comprising a protein source of aquatic animal origin; and a protein source of algae origin, wherein the granu lar nutritional composition is obtained by a method comprising providing a raw tissue of an aquatic animal as the protein source of aquatic animal origin, wherein the raw tissue is of one or more aquatic animal species; providing an algae substance as the protein source of algae origin, the algae substance optionally being in a dried form, wherein the algae substance comprises one or more algae species and/or the algae substance comprises at least 2 % protein of algae origin by dry weight, antioxidant of algae origin and saccha rides of algae origin; mixing the raw tissue of an aquatic animal and the algae substance; comminuting the mix; and heating the mix to a temperature in the range of 40 °C to 150 °C to reduce the water content of the mix.

The granular nutritional composition may be in the form of granules, the granules having a D90 particle size of less than 500 pm.

The granular nutritional composition according may have a water content of less than 20 % by weight of the granular nutritional composition.

A “granular” composition should generally be understood as a com position comprising solid particles or grains, such as a powder or a suspen sion. The solid particles may be of any shape. The size of solid particles could be controlled through communiting processes. “Comminuting” should generally be understood as a process of reducing the size of particles or grains. Such processes can be but are not limited to crushing-, pulverizing-, shredding-, grinding-, milling-, blending-, cutting or pounding processes. An “aquatic animal” should generally be understood as animals living in bodies of water such as such as marine animals, freshwater animals, fish, crustaceans, marine mammals or molluscs. “Algae” should generally be understood as any organism of any of the following taxons: green algae, rhodophyta, chloro- phyta, glaucophyta, rhizaria, excavata, chromista, alveolate, heterokonts, phaeophyta, chrysophyceae, such as seaweeds or seakelp. “Saccharide” should generally be understood as saccharides of different molecular weight such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccha rides. “Algae origin” should generally be understood as materials originating from algae. “D90 particle size” should generally be understood as the particle diameter where 90 % of a particle distribution has a diameter below this val ue. “A protein source of protein aquatic animal origin” is generally to be un derstood as a material of an aquatic animal comprising protein, such as but not limited to a fish or fish tissue comprising protein. “A protein source of al gae origin” should generally be understood as material comprising algae pro tein. “Protein” should generally be understood as a molecule composed main ly of amino acids, such as single amino acids, peptides, oligopeptides or pol ypeptides. A “nutritional composition” should generally be understood as a composition which can provide nourishing substances to an organism, such as protein, carbohydrates, fibres, vitamins, minerals and/or fat. “Dry weight” should generally be understood as the weight of a material where volatile substances such as water has been substantially (over 98 %) or completely removed. “Dried” should generally be understood as pertaining to a material where the water content has been partly or completely removed, especially pertaining to a material with a residual water content of less than 20 % by weight. “Raw tissue” should generally be understood as an animal tissue that has maximally been heat treated to a temperature of 40 °C. “Algae sub stance” should generally be understood as a material comprising algae or parts thereof.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1. A nutritional supplement comprising a fish protein source, and a macroalgae composition, wherein the macroalgae composition comprises at least one macroalga selected from brown algae ( Phaeophyta ) and at least one macroalga selected from green algae ( Chlorophyta ) or red algae ( Rhodo - phyta).

2. The nutritional supplement according to claim 1, wherein the macroalgae composition comprises at least one macroalga selected from brown algae ( Phaeophyta ), at least one macroalga selected from green algae ( Chlorophyta ), and at least one macroalga selected from red algae ( Rhodo - phyta).

3. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one brown macroalga is selected from: Fucales, Laminaria, Fucus vesiculosus, Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta, Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus Spiralis, Fucus evanescens, Laminar ia digitata, Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Nereocystis luetkeana, Himanthalia elongate, and Laminaria hyperborean ; the at least one green macroalga is selected from: Ulva, Monostro ma, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva compressa, Ulva lactuca, Ulva fenestrate, Ulva rigida, Ulva Linza, Codium fragile, Ulvaria fusca, Umbraulva dangeardii, Mo nostroma angicava, Monostroma arcticum, Monostroma kuroshiense, Mo nostroma grevillea, and Monostroma nitidum; and the at least one red macroalga is selected from: Porphyra, Callophyl- lis, Palma ria palmata, Chondrus crispus, Dilsea Carnosa, Porphyra dioica, Porphyra linearis, Porphyra umbilicalis, Calliblepharis jubata, Catenella caes- pitose, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Mastocarpus stellatus.

4. The nutritional supplement according to claim 3, wherein the at least one brown macroalga is selected from Fucus vesiculosus, Alaria escu lenta, Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Laminaria digitata ; the at least one green macroalga is selected from: Ulva lactuca and Monostroma grevillea ; and the at least one red macroalga is selected from: Porphyra, Palmaria palmata, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Chondrus crispus.

5. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nutritional supplement comprises about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of brown macroalgae, about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of green macroalgae and/or about 0.5 to 0.7 w/w% of red macroalgae.

6. The nutritional supplement according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the macroalgae composition comprises 25 to 45 w/w% brown macroalgae, 25 to 45 w/w% green macroalgae, and 25 to 45 w/w% red macroalgae.

7. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the macroalgae composition constitutes about 0.5 to 5 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, preferably about 1 to 3 w/w%, more preferably about 1 w/w%.

8. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fish protein source constitutes at least 50 w/w%, prefera bly 60 w/w%, more preferably 70 to 90 w/w% of the nutritional supplement.

9. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fish protein source is of the blue whiting genus ( Mi - cromesistius), preferably blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou).

10. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fish protein source is made from whole fish, optionally from fish from which the head and guts have been removed.

11. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, having a protein content of at least 40 w/w%, preferably at least 50 w/w%, more preferably at least 60 w/w%.

12. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preced ing claims, further comprising shrimp shell meal, preferably wherein the shrimp shell meal constitutes 1 to 5 w/w% of the nutritional supplement, pref erably 2 to 4 w/w%.

13. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nutritional supplement is granular.

14. The nutritional supplement according to any one the preceding claims, further comprising an extract of laminarin and/or fucoidan from macroalgae.

15. The nutritional supplement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nutritional supplement is an animal feed supplement.

16. The nutritional supplement according to claim 15, wherein the fish protein source is prepared from whole fish.

17. The nutritional supplement according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the nutritional supplement is a human nutritional supplement.

18. The nutritional supplement according to claim 17, wherein the fish protein source is made of fish from which the head and guts have been removed.