Fish feed composition and use thereof

Abstract

To provide a fish feed which is well eaten by fish, supports the growth of fish for a long time, helps improving water quality and is well-balanced, and healthy and highly cost-effective.SOLUTION: Fish feed composition comprises 40 to 70 wt.% of cereal flour, 15 to 30 wt.% of meal derived from aquatic animals, 10 to 20 wt.% of extraction meal, 0.01 to 0.40 wt.% of pepper and 0.1 to 1.0 wt.% of free methionine.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fish bait composition and its use.

Background Art

[0002] Commercially available fish baits generally consist of protein, fat, carbohydrates, mineral components, additives such as collagen and vitamins, and trace components. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fish bait containing water-soluble astaxanthin as a bait additive for pigmentation of salmon and trout in fish farming. Patent Document 2 describes a fish bait for raising salmon.

[0003] The physiological usefulness of protein in fish bait depends particularly on the composition of the protein. Carbohydrates tend to cause obesity in fish (especially as the structure of the carbohydrates becomes more complex). Regarding fat in fish bait, it is desirable that the proportion of omega-3 fatty acids is higher and the proportion of omega-6 fatty acids is lower. When amino acids are components of fish bait, the proportion of essential amino acids should not be too low, while the ratio of essential amino acids to the remaining amino acids needs to be appropriate. Otherwise, the amino acids are metabolized by the fish and converted into ammonia, which can thereby cause water pollution (especially due to excrement) and internal poisoning of the fish.

[0004] Conventional fish baits are often designed for rapid growth of fish. The main components of such fish baits are fat, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Moreover, many different carbohydrate and protein sources are often used, but thereby, obesity of the fish can be promoted. Since a larger slaughter weight is achieved in a shorter breeding time (1 - 2 years), the predicted lifespan of the animal is not important.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to develop a balanced, healthy and cost-effective fish bait that is highly ingested by fish, supports the growth of fish over a long period, and promotes the improvement of water quality.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102004048949 Specification [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 1346647 [Overview of the project]

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a fish feed composition comprising 40-70% by weight of grain meal, 15-30% by weight of aquatic animal meal, 10-20% by weight of extract meal, 0.01-0.40% by weight of pepper, and 0.1-1.0% by weight of free methionine, where the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the fish feed composition. The inventors have found that a fish feed composition according to the present invention promotes balanced growth of fish, has a high feed coefficient, and improves protein utilization and digestibility. Furthermore, the fish feed composition reduces obesity in fish and minimizes water pollution in which the fish are kept. In addition, the price can be reduced due to the small number of different protein and carbohydrate sources.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the use of a fish feed composition according to the first embodiment as fish feed for ornamental fish is provided. The above effects and advantages are particularly pronounced in ornamental fish. Further aspects of the present invention are found in the dependent claims and the detailed description. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] definition Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art.

[0010] In the context of this invention, quantities represent weight percent unless otherwise indicated or evident from the context. In the context of this invention, the term "methionine" is not particularly limited. As is generally known, methionine is a sulfur-containing α-amino acid. In certain embodiments, methionine comprises a racemic mixture of L-methionine and D-methionine. According to some embodiments, methionine represents L-methionine.

[0011] The term "free methionine" is not particularly limited. As is generally known, free amino acids exist in a free form, not bound as components of proteins or other molecules. Therefore, according to some embodiments, the term "free methionine" refers to the unbound form of methionine. In particular, free methionine is not a component of proteins. L-methionine is found, for example, in raw beef, raw chicken, raw salmon, eggs, milk, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, whole wheat flour, whole grain cornmeal, rice, buckwheat flour, soybeans, and peas. However, all of these foods contain L-methionine that is chemically bound substantially exclusively as a protein component, but they do not contain free L-methionine.

[0012] The term "DL-methionine" is not particularly limited. As is generally known, DL-methionine refers to a racemic mixture of L-methionine and D-methionine.

[0013] "Aquatic animals" are not particularly limited in the context of this invention. As is generally known, aquatic animals are animals that live in water. In certain embodiments, aquatic animals include fish, krill, shrimp, crabs, and bivalves.

[0014] The term "fermented rice" is not particularly limited. Generally, "fermented rice" refers to red fermented rice produced from cooked white rice through fermentation using yeast and / or mold.

[0015] In the context of this invention, "extraction meal" is not particularly limited. As is generally known, extraction meal is in the form of oil cake. It is produced as a byproduct in the extraction of vegetable oil by a heating and pressing or extraction process. In such a process, the extractant residue is removed by steam. According to some embodiments, "extraction meal" refers to soybean extraction meal.

[0016] The term "antioxidant" is not particularly limited in the context of this invention. As is generally known, antioxidants are compounds that slow down or completely prevent the oxidation of other substances. In this invention, antioxidants commonly used in the animal feed industry and especially in the fish feed industry may be used.

[0017] In the context of this invention, the term "colorant" is not particularly limited, except that the colorant is suitable for fish. The term "ornamental fish / ornamental fishes" is not particularly limited. As is generally known, ornamental fish are kept in aquariums and / or ponds for their appearance. According to some embodiments, ornamental fish are aquarium fish and / or pond fish.

[0018] "Freshwater fish" is not particularly limited in the context of this invention. Freshwater fish inhabit freshwater, lakes, and rivers, as is generally known. In certain embodiments, "freshwater fish" refers to aquarium fish and / or pond fish.

[0019] The term "food coefficient" is not particularly limited. It is generally understood to be the ratio of the weight gain of a reared animal to the weight of the feed given. Therefore, the food coefficient is a measure of feed utilization. In certain embodiments, the food coefficient is equal to the ratio (e.g., in kilograms) of the weight gain of a reared fish to the amount of fish feed given. In particular, the food coefficient is calculated according to the following formula:

[0020] Feed coefficient [%] = Fish weight gain [kg] / Amount of fish feed given [kg] A first aspect of the present invention is a fish food composition comprising 40-70% by weight, preferably 55-60% by weight, of grain meal; 15-30% by weight, preferably 20-25% by weight, of aquatic animal meal; 10-20% by weight, preferably 14-18% by weight, of extracted meal; 0.01-0.40% by weight, preferably 0.05-0.2% by weight, of pepper; and 0.1-1.0% by weight, preferably 0.2-0.5% by weight, of free methionine. Here, the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the fish food composition. According to some embodiments, the fish food composition is a fish food composition for ornamental fish. In the context of the present invention, the terms "fish food composition" and "fish food" may be used synonymously.

[0021] The fish feed composition according to the present invention exhibits high intake by fish (especially ornamental fish). A fish's willingness to eat is indicated by high intake. Furthermore, the water in which fish fed with the fish feed composition according to the present invention are kept has low nitrogen and phosphorus content. The low nitrogen content indicates that the water load of ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrite does not increase significantly with respect to the fish feed composition according to the present invention. On the other hand, the low phosphorus content indicates a low phosphorus water load and excellent feed utilization rate.

[0022] While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is hypothesized that the aforementioned low water pollution is due to the high utility and digestibility of the fish feed composition. For example, an inappropriate ratio of essential amino acids and an inappropriate ratio of essential amino acids to the remaining amino acids in the fish feed can, inter alia, increase the ammonium content of the water resulting from the energy metabolism of the excess amino acids. Moreover, the combination of pepper and free methionine appears to promote the protein utilization rate and digestibility of the fish feed and to encourage a high feed coefficient. The obvious effect may be due to the prebiotic effects of pepper and methionine as an essential amino acid. Pepper releases piperine. And piperine moves a greater flow of digestive juices, which then results in a higher penetration of the feed pulp, promoting the osmotic and diffusive transport of nutrients into the living body. On the other hand, methionine may remove the limitation of protein utilization rate. According to Liebig's law of the minimum, the essential nutrient components of the feed pulp are better extracted, and then the overall utility of the nutrients is improved.

[0023] In addition to the advantageous combination of pepper and free methionine, the fish feed composition according to the present invention has a small number of carbohydrate and protein sources, a low fat content, and a high omega-3 fatty acid content. This has been shown to achieve a balanced growth and healthy development of the fish. In particular, fish obesity is reduced and a high feed coefficient is achieved. Therefore, the fish feed composition according to the present invention is particularly suitable for the healthy and sustainable rearing of fish. Moreover, the price of the fish feed composition is reduced due to the small number of different components.

[0024] According to certain embodiments, the fish bait composition further comprises, based on the total weight of the fish bait composition, 0.1 - 4.0% by weight, preferably 0.2 - 2.0% by weight of algae, 0.1 - 2.5% by weight, preferably 0.2 - 1.5% by weight of fermented rice, and 0.01 - 0.10% by weight, preferably 0.03 - 0.08% by weight of herbs. These raw materials generally serve to further increase the palatability of the fish bait composition and further improve the digestibility of the fish bait composition. Moreover, the fish bait composition may contain 1.0 - 5.0% by weight, preferably 2.0 - 3.0% by weight of wheat malt based on the total weight of the fish bait composition. As a result, the digestibility and palatability of the fish bait composition can be further increased. And the fish bait can be made more suitable for the needs of each fish species.

[0025] In some embodiments, the algae are selected from the group consisting of spirulina, seaweed, and mixtures thereof. Thereby, the nutrient content of the fish bait composition may be further increased. According to certain embodiments, the herbs are selected from the group consisting of thyme, sage, rosemary, fennel, anise, savory, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the herbs are a herb mixture of thyme, sage, rosemary, fennel, anise, and savory. The herbs further improve the digestibility of the fish bait composition and further increase the palatability of the fish bait composition.

[0026] According to certain embodiments, the cereal flour is selected from the group consisting of wheat flour, cornmeal, rice flour, and mixtures thereof. In particular, wheat flour and / or cornmeal may form the main raw material of the cereal flour. The selection of the cereal flour further reduces the carbohydrate source of the fish bait composition. Thereby, the fish are further minimized in getting fat. In some embodiments, the meal derived from aquatic animals is selected from the group consisting of fish meal, krill meal, shrimp meal, and mixtures thereof. Thereby, the digestibility of the fish bait composition is further improved. In particular, fish meal may be the main raw material of the meal derived from aquatic animals.

[0027] In some embodiments, the extract meal in the fish feed composition according to the present invention is soybean extract meal. Soybean extract meal (also referred to as "soybean meal") has a high protein content and is very suitable as a protein source for the fish feed composition according to the present invention. The use of soybean extract meal in combination with methionine and pepper can further improve the protein utilization and digestibility of the fish feed composition. According to some embodiments, free methionine is DL-methionine. Protein utilization and digestibility are further enhanced, and fish obesity is further reduced by the use of DL-methionine. In certain embodiments, pepper is black pepper. The use of black pepper in the fish feed composition according to the present invention increases the edibility and digestibility of the fish feed composition. This further improves water quality. Moreover, black pepper undergoes less denaturation and is therefore preferred. In particular, the pepper in this fish feed composition is in ground form.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the fish feed composition according to the present invention includes additives. The additives may be selected from the group consisting of vitamins, antioxidants, colorants, choline chloride, inositol, and mixtures thereof. Furthermore, the vitamins may be selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin C, and mixtures thereof. The addition of vitamins promotes fish growth and encourages healthy nutrition. Antioxidants extend the shelf life of the fish feed composition. Butylated hydroxytoluene may be used as a suitable antioxidant in the fish feed composition according to the present invention. In addition, canthaxanthin may be used as a colorant. Canthaxanthin improves the appearance of the fish feed composition and / or the fish. Choline chloride prevents liver damage in fish.

[0029] In some embodiments, the fish feed composition comprises 50-60% by weight of wheat flour, 20-25% by weight of fish meal, 15-20% by weight of soybean extract meal, 2-3% by weight of wheat malt, 1.0-1.5% by weight of spirulina, 0.1-1.0% by weight of shrimp meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of krill meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of fermented rice, 0.1-1.0% by weight of seaweed, 0.1-0.5% by weight of free DL-methionine, 0.01-0.50% by weight of pepper, 0.01-0.10% by weight of herbs, and additives as a remainder. The weight percentages represent the total weight of the fish feed composition, with additives totaling 100% by weight. The fish feed composition described herein further improves feed coefficient, digestibility, protein utilization rate, and water quality, further increases fish feed intake, and reduces fat denaturation in fish. Moreover, the composition has a low number of carbohydrate and protein sources, a low fat content, and a high omega-3 fatty acid content. In a preferred embodiment, the fish feed composition described herein is a fish feed composition for ornamental carp (especially koi carp) in Japan.

[0030] According to certain embodiments, the fish feed composition comprises 45-55% by weight of cornmeal, 20-25% by weight of fishmeal, 15-20% by weight of soybean extract meal, 8-12% by weight of wheat flour, 0.1-1.0% by weight of shrimp meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of krill meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of fermented rice, 0.1-1.0% by weight of seaweed, 1.0-1.5% by weight of spirulina, 0.1-0.5% by weight of free DL-methionine, 0.01-0.50% by weight of pepper, 0.01-0.10% by weight of herbs, and additives as a remainder. The weight percentages represent the total weight of the fish feed composition, with additives totaling 100% by weight. The fish feed composition further improves feed coefficient, digestibility, protein utilization rate, and water quality, further increasing fish feed intake and reducing fat denaturation in fish. Moreover, the composition has a low number of carbohydrate and protein sources, a low fat content, and a high omega-3 fatty acid content. In a preferred embodiment, the fish feed composition is for ornamental fish in garden ponds (especially goldfish, minnows, European bitterling, sunbleak, golden orpheus, and sunfish).

[0031] A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the fish feed composition of the first aspect as fish feed for ornamental fish. Any description of the first aspect of the present invention that also applies to the second aspect should be referenced above. In ornamental fish, healthy and sustainable nutrition and balanced development are particularly important. Rapid weight gain is not required. The fish feed composition of the first aspect is particularly suitable as fish feed for ornamental fish because, as described above, it promotes protein utilization and digestibility, has a high feed coefficient, and reduces obesity. In addition, the fish feed composition of the first aspect reduces water pollution, which is particularly advantageous when ornamental fish are kept in aquariums and / or ponds. In this respect, the aforementioned effect is particularly pronounced when the ornamental fish are freshwater fish. In certain embodiments, the ornamental fish are selected from the group consisting of carp, goldfish, minnows, European bitterling, sambury, golden orpheus, and sunfish. The above-mentioned effects are particularly pronounced when the fish feed composition of the first embodiment is used as fish feed for these ornamental fish.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the fish feed composition is used as fish feed for carp, and the fish feed composition comprises 50-60% by weight of wheat flour, 20-25% by weight of fish meal, 15-20% by weight of soybean extract meal, 2-3% by weight of wheat malt, 1.0-1.5% by weight of spirulina, 0.1-1.0% by weight of shrimp meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of krill meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of fermented rice, 0.1-1.0% by weight of seaweed, 0.1-0.5% by weight of free DL-methionine, 0.01-0.50% by weight of pepper, 0.01-0.10% by weight of herbs, and additives as a remainder. The weight percentage represents the total weight of the fish feed composition, with additives totaling 100% by weight. The effects of such fish bait compositions are described above in the description of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0033] According to a particular embodiment, the fish feed composition is used as fish feed for goldfish, minnows, European bitterling, sambury, golden orpheus, and sunfish, and comprises 45-55% by weight of cornmeal, 20-25% by weight of fishmeal, 15-20% by weight of soybean extract meal, 8-12% by weight of wheat flour, 0.1-1.0% by weight of shrimp meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of krill meal, 0.1-1.0% by weight of fermented rice, 0.1-1.0% by weight of seaweed, 1.0-1.5% by weight of spirulina, 0.1-0.5% by weight of free DL-methionine, 0.01-0.50% by weight of pepper, 0.01-0.10% by weight of herbs, and additives as a remainder. The weight percentages represent the total weight of the fish feed composition, with additives totaling 100% by weight. The effects of such fish bait compositions are described above in the description of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0034] The manufacturing process for the fish feed composition according to the present invention is not particularly limited. Generally, known fish feed manufacturing processes can be used. According to some embodiments, the manufacturing process is an extrusion process. In some embodiments, the fish feed composition may be manufactured by roller drying.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the fish feed composition may be prepared by weighing and mixing the individual components of the fish feed composition in their respective proportions by weight. The mixture may then be sieved (for example, with a mesh size of 630 μm and / or 1000 μm) and then extruded at about 90°C. The extruded mixture may be dried at about 60°C for 20 minutes to obtain an exemplary fish feed composition according to the present invention.

[0036] According to some embodiments, a fish feed composition may be prepared by weighing and mixing the individual components of the fish feed composition in their respective proportions by weight. The mixture may then be rolled into a film using a roller dryer and dried at about 90°C for 5 minutes. The dried film may then be scraped to provide an exemplary fish feed composition according to the present invention.

[0037] Examples The present invention will be described in more detail with respect to various examples thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0038] Example 1: Fish feed composition for carp The fish feed composition for carp was manufactured by extrusion molding into pellets (3-4 mm in diameter). The fish feed composition contained the following ingredients (Table 1).

[0039] Table 1: Ingredients of an exemplary fish feed composition for carp

[0040] [Table 1] The analytical components of the fish feed composition are shown in Table 2.

[0041] Table 2: Analytical components of an exemplary fish feed composition for carp

[0042] [Table 2] As shown in Table 2, the exemplary fish feed compositions had a high crude protein content and a low fat content. Furthermore, the exemplary fish feed compositions showed high intake when fed to carp.

[0043] Example 2: Fish food composition for ornamental fish in a garden pond The fish food composition for ornamental fish in garden ponds was manufactured by extrusion molding in the form of rods. The fish food composition contained the following ingredients (Table 3).

[0044] Table 3: Ingredients of an exemplary fish food composition for ornamental fish in a garden pond

[0045] [Table 3] The analytical components of the fish feed composition are shown in Table 4.

[0046] Table 4: Analytical components of exemplary fish feed compositions for ornamental fish in garden ponds

[0047] [Table 4] As shown in Table 2, the exemplary fish feed composition had a high crude protein content and a low fat content. Furthermore, the exemplary fish feed composition showed high intake not only when fed to ornamental fish in a garden pond, but also when fed to carp.

[0048] Comparative Example 1: Commercial fish feed composition for pond fish A A commercially available fish feed composition consisting of cornmeal, wheat flour, salmon flour, soy flour, rice flour, wheat malt, shrimp flour, spinach, spirulina, yeast extract, apple extract, and vegetable flour (green flour) was analyzed for its components. The results are shown in Table 5.

[0049] Table 5: Analytical components of commercially available fish feed composition for pond fish A

[0050] [Table 5] Comparative Example 2: Commercial fish feed composition for pond fish B A commercially available fish feed composition consisting of vegetable by-products, grains, plant protein extract, fish and fish by-products, oils and fats, minerals, algae, and yeast was analyzed for its analytical components. The results are shown in Table 6.

[0051] Table 6: Analytical components of commercially available fish feed compositions for pond fish B

[0052] [Table 6] The embodiments, configurations, and implementations described above can be combined with each other as desired, if beneficial. Further possible embodiments, configurations, and implementations of the present invention include combinations of the prior-described features of the present invention that are not expressly mentioned. In particular, those skilled in the art may further add individual embodiments to each of the basic forms of the present invention as improvements or additions.

Claims

1. A fish bait composition comprising, based on the total weight of the fish bait composition: 40-70% by weight of cereal flour; 15-30% by weight of meal derived from an aquatic animal; 10-20% by weight of the extracted meal; 0.01-0.40% by weight of pepper; 0.1-1.0% by weight of free methionine.

2. based on the total weight of the fish food composition, 0.1-4.0% by weight of algae; 0.1-2.5% by weight of fermented rice; 0.01-0.10% by weight of herb; 10. The fish food composition of claim 1, optionally further comprising 1.0-5.0% by weight of wheat germ.

3. The algae is selected from the group consisting of spirulina, seaweed, and mixtures thereof; 3. The fish food composition of claim 2, wherein optionally, the herbs are selected from the group consisting of thyme, sage, rosemary, fennel, anise, savory, and mixtures thereof.

4. 2. The fish food composition of claim 1, wherein the flour is selected from the group consisting of wheat flour, corn meal, rice flour, and mixtures thereof.

5. 2. The fish food composition of claim 1, wherein the meal from an aquatic animal is selected from the group consisting of fish meal, krill meal, shrimp meal, and mixtures thereof.

6. 2. The fish food composition of claim 1, wherein the extract meal is soy extract meal, optionally the free methionine is DL-methionine, and further optionally, the pepper is black pepper.

7. 10. The fish food composition of claim 1 further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of vitamins, antioxidants, colorants, choline chloride, inositol, and mixtures thereof.

8. The vitamins are vitamin A and vitamin D. ３ 8. The fish food composition of claim 7, wherein the coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of vitamin E, vitamin C, and mixtures thereof, and optionally the coloring agent is canthaxanthin, and further optionally the antioxidant is butylated hydroxytoluene.

9. based on the total weight of the fish food composition, 50-60% by weight of wheat flour; 20-25% by weight of fish meal; 15-20% by weight soybean extract meal; 2-3% by weight of wheat malt; 1.0-1.5% by weight of spirulina; 0.1-1.0% by weight of shrimp meal; 0.1-1.0% by weight of krill meal; 0.1-1.0% by weight of fermented rice; 0.1-1.0% by weight of seaweed; 0.1-0.5% by weight of free DL-methionine; 0.01-0.50% by weight of pepper; 0.01-0.10% by weight of herb; The fish food composition of claim 1 , wherein the balance is additives.

10. based on the total weight of the fish food composition, 45-55% by weight corn meal; 20-25% by weight of fish meal; 15-20% by weight soybean extract meal; 8-12% by weight of wheat flour; 0.1-1.0% by weight of shrimp meal; 0.1-1.0% by weight of krill meal; 0.1-1.0% by weight of fermented rice; 0.1-1.0% by weight of seaweed; 1.0-1.5% by weight of spirulina; 0.1-0.5% by weight of free DL-methionine; 0.01-0.50% by weight of pepper; 0.01-0.10% by weight of herb; The fish food composition of claim 1 , wherein the balance is additives.

11. Use of the fish food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10 as fish food for ornamental fish.

12. The use according to claim 11, wherein the ornamental fish is a freshwater fish.

13. 12. The use according to claim 11, wherein the ornamental fish is selected from the group consisting of carp, goldfish, minnow, European bitterling, sunburst, golden orpheus and sunfish.