Single-cell protein products

Abstract

The present invention relates to an animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w) of a yeast single-cell protein product, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises Saccharomycetales yeast cells, and to the use of said animal feed for feeding an animal and / or for increasing the weight of an animal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] I. FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to an animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w) of a yeast single-cell protein product, the yeast single-cell protein product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, and to the use of said animal feed for feeding animals and / or for increasing the weight of animals.

[0002] [II. Background]

[0002] The world's population is growing, and so is the demand for food, such as meat, dairy products, and seafood. Animal feed requires a significant amount of protein to ensure optimal growth and fattening of animals, but currently in traditional breeding the main protein source is composed of plants. However, plant-derived proteins tend not to convert well to animal-derived proteins. Furthermore, the production of plant-derived proteins is associated with potential ethical conflicts between food and feed production. Also, demand for seafood is growing due to the perceived health benefits of including it in the normal diet. To meet this demand, currently almost half of the world's fish are provided for human consumption by aquaculture. Aquaculture feeding is increasingly based on a combination of plant-derived protein sources and alternatives such as fishmeal. However, fishmeal may not be considered a sustainable alternative, as it is often obtained by catching wild fish stocks. Also, for example, fish and shellfish farming is becoming increasingly intensive and resource-intensive. Therefore, breeders, and therefore the animal protein-derived protein production industry, including the aquaculture industry, need new protein sources to continue their fast growth. However, they must move away from traditional protein sources, especially wild marine ingredients, while ensuring the health and welfare of the animals and optimizing growth. Therefore, alternative protein sources in animal feed are needed to meet the demand for meat, dairy, and seafood, given current and projected consumption levels.

[0003]

[0003] In addition to plant and animal derived proteins, further protein sources have been identified, namely microbial derived proteins. Said single cell proteins (SCPs) can be produced using fungi, algae, and / or bacteria, which can be cultivated on a large scale at a relatively low cost. Thus, the use of SCP products is found in animal feed, e.g. for poultry, calves, pigs, and fish, but also in the leather and paper industries, e.g. However, the production of SCP products still faces several challenges, such as the availability and sustainability of feedstocks, e.g. waste-based feedstocks. Thus, feed millers and farmers still need alternative solutions for protein production that can provide a low carbon footprint diet while ensuring an environmentally friendly use of the earth's resources.

[0004]

[0004] Thus, there remains a need to have at hand animal feeds that contain protein from alternative protein sources, that is, protein that is neither animal nor plant derived.

[0005] [III. Overview]

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to provide an animal feed containing up to 20% (w / w) of single cell protein, an alternative protein source that can supplement or even replace the protein sources of animal and / or plant origin currently used in animal feed, thus meeting the growing demand for alternative feeding solutions while ensuring sustainability.

[0006]

[0006] In particular, the present invention relates to an animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w), preferably up to 10% (w / w), of a yeast single-cell protein (SCP) product, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

[0007]

[0007] Preferably, the yeast SCP product comprises Saccharomycetales yeast cells that are not Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells, and / or the yeast SCP product does not comprise Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells.

[0008]

[0008] Preferably, the SCP product comprises ethanol-fed Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

[0009]

[0009] Preferably, the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is from the genus Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, Wickerhamomyces, Pichia, or Yarrowia, preferably from the genus Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, or Wickerhamomyces, and preferably the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is from the genus Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, or Wickerhamomyces. anomalus, Pichia anomala, or Yarrowia lipolytica, preferably Cyberlindnera jadinii, Kluyveromyces lactis, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, and preferably the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896, Wickerhamomycesanomalus CBS2576, or Yarrowia lipolytica CBS7504, preferably from or derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, or Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896.

[0010]

[0010] Preferably, the Saccharomycetales yeast cells are capable of producing, using ethanol as a carbon source, 34% (w / w) or more of protein per gram of dry weight of said Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more of protein per gram of dry weight of said Saccharomycetales yeast cells, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more of protein per gram of dry weight of said Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

[0011] Preferably, the yeast SCP product contains all the essential amino acids.

[0012]

[0012] Preferably, the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is not genetically modified.

[0013]

[0013] Preferably, the yeast SCP product contains 34% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

[0014]

[0014] Preferably, the yeast SCP product comprises dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells, and preferably said dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells are intact cells, or disrupted cells, or a mixture of intact and disrupted cells.

[0015]

[0015] Preferably, the animal feed i) further comprises less than an additional 25% (w / w) plant-based protein product, ii) further comprises less than an additional 5% (w / w) fish meal, iii) is free of fish meal, and / or iv) further comprises 1 to 25% (w / w) oil.

[0016]

[0016] Preferably, the animal feed is feed for pigs, cattle or sheep.

[0017]

[0017] Preferably, the animal feed is feed for an aquatic species, said aquatic species being preferably selected from crustaceans or fish, preferably said crustaceans being shrimp, and / or preferably said fish being warm water fish or cold water fish, preferably said warm water fish being selected from tilapia, sea bream, sea bass or carp, and / or preferably said cold water fish being selected from salmon or rainbow trout.

[0018] The present invention also relates to the use of the animal feed according to the invention for feeding animals.

[0019] The present invention also relates to the use of the animal feed according to the invention for increasing the weight of an animal.

[0020]

[0020] Preferably, the animal is a pig, a cow or a sheep, or said animal is an aquatic species, preferably said aquatic species is selected from a crustacean or a fish, preferably said crustacean is a shrimp, and / or preferably said fish is a warm water fish or a cold water fish, preferably said warm water fish is selected from a tilapia, a sea bream, a sea bass or a carp, and / or preferably said cold water fish is selected from a salmon or a rainbow trout.

[0021] [IV. Detailed Description]

[0021] The technical problem is solved by the subject matter defined in the claims, described in the specification, illustrated in the examples and shown in the drawings.

[0022]

[0022] In particular, it has been surprisingly found that Saccharomycetales yeast cells, when grown using ethanol as a carbon source, produce high protein, i.e., 34% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of such Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of such Saccharomycetales yeast cells, and more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of such Saccharomycetales yeast cells (see Figure 1). The Saccharomycetales yeast cells are preferably from the genera Cyberlindnera or Kluyveromyces or Wickerhamomyces, more preferably from Cyberlindnera jadinii or Kluyveromyces lactis or Wickerhamomyces anomalus. Thus, Saccharomycetales yeast cells appear to produce more protein when grown using ethanol as a carbon source. Such Saccharomycetales yeast cells therefore appear to be suitable as single-cell protein products, which are a source of protein intended to at least partially, preferably completely, replace animal-derived protein sources, such as fish meal, for example in animal feed.

[0023]

[0023] Thus, when such Saccharomycetales yeast cells are used as single-cell protein products in animal feed, it has been found that animal feed containing up to 20% (w / w) of yeast single-cell protein products is well-eaten by animals, especially aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans. Furthermore, when such Saccharomycetales yeast cells are used as single-cell protein products in animal feed, it has been found that animal feed containing up to 10% (w / w) of yeast single-cell protein products has a beneficial effect on the weight gain of animals, especially aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans (see Figures 3 and 4). Also, animal feed containing up to 20% (w / w) or 10% (w / w) of yeast single-cell protein products can advantageously completely replace animal-derived proteins such as fish meal (see, for example, Figure 2, especially the rows "SCP1-10", "SCP1-20", "SCP2-10" and "SCP2-20").

[0024] Interestingly, the present invention shows that animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of alternative protein sources such as insect meal or single cell protein from methylotrophic bacteria using methane as a carbon source results in inferior animal weight gain compared to animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of the single cell protein product according to the present invention (see Figure 5).

[0025] In summary, there are at least five surprising discoveries in this invention.

[0026]

[0026] Saccharomycetales yeast cells grown using ethanol as a carbon source produce yeast single-cell protein products that contain up to 42.5% (w / w) or more protein per gram of dry weight of such Saccharomycetales yeast cells (see Figure 1).

[0027]

[0027] Animal feed containing up to 20% (w / w) or 10% (w / w) of the yeast single cell protein product according to the present invention can advantageously completely replace animal-derived proteins such as fish meal (see Figure 2).

[0028]

[0028] Animal feed containing up to 20% (w / w) of such yeast single cell protein products according to the invention is well-eaten by animals, especially aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans.

[0029]

[0029] Animal feed containing up to 10% (w / w) of such yeast single-cell protein products according to the invention has a beneficial effect on the weight gain of animals, especially aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0030]

[0030] Animal feed containing up to 10% (w / w) of yeast single-cell protein product according to the present invention may perform better than animal feed that also contains up to 10% (w / w) of alternative protein sources, such as insect meal or single-cell protein products from methylotrophic bacteria that use methane as a carbon source (see Figure 5).

[0031] In particular, the present invention relates to an animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w) of a yeast single cell protein (SCP) product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

[0032]

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the term "animal" refers to any animal other than humans. Examples of animals are non-ruminant and ruminant animals. Ruminant animals include animals such as, for example, sheep, goats, cattle, e.g. beef cattle, cows, and calves, deer, yanks, camels, llamas, and kangaroos. Non-ruminant animals include animals such as pigs or swines (including, but not limited to, piglets, breeding pigs, and sows); poultry such as turkeys, ducks, quails, guinea fowl, geese, pigeons (including piglet pigs), and chickens (including, but not limited to, broiler chickens (referred to herein as broilers), chicks, and egg-laying hens (referred to herein as layers); horses (thoroughbred, cold-blooded, and warm-blooded); including, but not limited to, blood fish); crustaceans (including, but not limited to, small and medium-sized shrimp) and fish (including, but not limited to, warm and cold water fish, including, but not limited to, amberjack, arapaima, barbu, bass, amikiri, bocachico, bream, sculpin, korosoma, carp, catfish, catla, milkfish (chanos), char, cichlid, cobia, cod, crappie, gilthead sea bream, croaker, eel, goby, goldfish, gourami, Grouper, guapote, halibut, java, labeo, lai, loach, mackerel, milkfish, heron, bowfin, mullet, paco, pearlspot, peherey, perch, pike, trevally, roach, salmon, sampa, sauger, grouper, sea bream, shiner, eel, Taiwanese loach, snapper, spotted trout, sole, spinefoot foot), sturgeon, sunfish, sweetfish, tench, terror, tilapia, trout (preferably rainbow trout), tuna, turbot, vendace, walleye and whitefish, with preferred warm water fish selected from tilapia, sea bream, perch or carp, and / or preferred cold water fish being salmon or rainbow trout.

[0033]

[0033] Of note, any animal referred to herein is preferably not a wild animal. Thus, said animals are preferably farm animals and / or livestock animals. In case of aquatic species, the animals are preferably aquaculture animals. As used herein, the term "aquaculture" relates to the aquaculture industry and thus to the farming of aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans in various environments including, but not limited to, tanks, lakes, ponds, or any other natural or artificial aquatic reservoir that may be suitable for the propagation, hatching, rearing, and harvesting of aquatic species.

[0034] In the context of the present invention, the term "animal feed" (e.g., fish feed) refers to any compound, preparation, or mixture suitable for or intended for ingestion by an animal (e.g., fish). Animal feed for monogastric animals typically comprises concentrates and vitamins, minerals, enzymes, direct-administered live bacteria, amino acids, and / or other feed ingredients (such as in a premix), whereas animal feed for ruminants generally comprises forage (including roughage and silage) and may further comprise concentrates and vitamins, minerals, enzymes, direct-administered live bacteria, amino acids, and / or other feed ingredients (such as in a premix). Animal feed additives (e.g., fish feed additives) are, for example, formulated enzyme products that may further comprise vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, preservatives, and / or antibiotics; i.e., premixes. Animal feed additives / premixes are typically made from concentrates such as vegetable proteins, legumes, or other plant materials and / or forages mixed in a feed grinder. Additionally, animal feed is typically fed to monogastric animals as pelleted feed.

[0035] In the context of the present invention, the term "single-cell protein", optionally also abbreviated herein as "SCP", refers to a protein obtained by and / or derived from a (single-cell) microorganism. Thus, SCP may refer to a protein purified and / or isolated from, for example, a cell culture of a microorganism. Alternatively or additionally, SCP may refer to a microbial protein that is a dead, dried cell of a microorganism. Thus, a "single-cell protein product" or "SCP product" may or may not comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of intact (single-cell) microbial cells, disrupted (single-cell) microbial cells, isolated proteins obtained by one or more (single-cell) microorganisms, isolated proteins derived by one or more (single-cell) microorganisms, purified proteins obtained by one or more (single-cell) microorganisms, and purified proteins derived by one or more (single-cell) microorganisms. The (single-cell) microorganism may relate to bacteria, fungi such as yeasts and / or algae, however, said (single-cell) microorganism is a yeast according to the present invention. Yeast derived SCP products offer the advantage of providing a relatively high protein content, while at the same time the products are not subject to seasonal influences and can be produced on an industrial scale at relatively low cost with relatively little harvesting effort. Thus, yeast SCP products are highly advantageous.

[0036]

[0036] In the context of the present invention, the term "yeast" refers to eukaryotic unicellular microorganisms classified as members of the fungal kingdom, which reproduce asexually primarily by mitosis with an asymmetric division process also known as budding. Furthermore, in the present specification, the term preferably refers to yeast cells that can be grown under artificial and / or laboratory conditions (e.g., in vitro culture conditions), in particular under standard laboratory conditions. The term also preferably encompasses a single type of yeast cell that has been grown in the laboratory for several generations, and thus the term also preferably encompasses potential mutants of yeast cells and / or strains. In the present specification, the yeast is preferably a Saccharomycetales yeast.

[0037]

[0037] A "yeast cell" is a yeast cell, preferably a yeast cell as described herein.

[0038]

[0038] In the context of the present invention, the term "Saccharomycetales" refers to the order Saccharomycetales of the phylum Ascomycota, also known as members of the order Saccharomycetales, sometimes called budding yeasts.

[0039]

[0039] In the context of the present invention, "w / w" is intended to be understood as "weight ratio" and thus refers to the proportion of a particular substance within a mixture, measured by weight or mass.

[0040] According to the invention, the animal feed comprises up to 20% (w / w) yeast SCP product. More specifically, the animal feed may comprise up to 20% (w / w), up to 19% (w / w), up to 18% (w / w), up to 17% (w / w), up to 16% (w / w), up to 15% (w / w), up to 14% (w / w), up to 13% (w / w), up to 12% (w / w), up to 11% (w / w), up to 10% (w / w), up to 9% (w / w), up to 8% (w / w), up to 7% (w / w), up to 6% (w / w), or up to 5% (w / w) yeast SCP product. Preferably, the animal feed comprises up to 15% (w / w) or up to 10% (w / w) yeast SCP product, more preferably up to 10% (w / w) yeast SCP.

[0041]

[0041] Preferably, the animal feed comprises up to 10% (w / w) yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells. This is particularly advantageous for increasing the body weight of animals fed said animal feed, such as shrimp or fish, such as rainbow trout. This is illustrated herein, for example, in Figures 3 and 4.

[0042]

[0042] Thus, the animal feed according to the invention comprises up to 20% (w / w), or up to 10% (w / w) yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, more preferably said SCP product comprising ethanol-fed Saccharomycetales yeast cells. Thus, the SCP product preferably comprises ethanol-fed Saccharomycetales yeast cells. This is advantageous since the use of ethanol as a carbon source paves the way for the utilisation of alternative SCP product production sources such as waste. Thus, the environmental carbon footprint of the animal feed production according to the invention can be minimised compared to current SCP production approaches and the envisaged sustainable SCP protein production.

[0043]

[0043] Therefore, also preferred animal feed according to the invention comprises up to 20% (w / w), or preferably up to 10% (w / w) yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, said Saccharomycetales yeast cells being capable of producing at least 34% (w / w), preferably at least 41% (w / w), more preferably 42.5% (w / w) protein per gram dry weight of said Saccharomycetales yeast cells using ethanol as carbon source. Such a high protein content of yeast SCP is advantageous for the use of the animal feed for feeding animals, in particular for increasing the body weight of the animals fed it.

[0044]

[0044] SCP product producing strains may differ in their ability to use and / or utilize ethanol as a carbon source for SCP production. Thus, the yeast SCP product preferably comprises a Saccharomycetales yeast cell, said Saccharomycetales yeast cell being from one or more Saccharomycetales yeast genus, species, and / or strain capable of using ethanol as a carbon source. For example, the Saccharomycetales yeast cell may be a Saccharomycetales yeast cell from one or more genera selected from the group consisting of Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, Wickerhamomyces, Yarrowia, and Pichia.

[0045]

[0045] More specifically, the yeast SCP product comprises a Saccharomycetales yeast cell, preferably a Saccharomycetales yeast cell selected from the group consisting of Pichia anomala, Yarrowia lipolytica, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Cyberlindnera jadinii, and / or Kluyveromyces lactis.

[0046]

[0046] Preferably, the Saccharomycetales yeast cells are not Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. Thus, the animal feed may contain a yeast SCP product, which does not contain Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. Thus, the SCP product may not contain intact and / or disrupted Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. It may also be envisioned that the animal feed may not contain Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells.

[0047]

[0047] Thus, the animal feed according to the invention comprises up to 20% (w / w) or up to 10% (w / w) of the yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, said Saccharomycetales yeast cells being particularly preferably yeast cells from the genera Wickerhamomyces, Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, Yarrowia and / or Pichia, preferably from the genera Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces and / or Wickerhamomyces. This is advantageous because, as also shown in the Examples herein, yeast cells from the above genera are capable of growing in culture media containing ethanol as a carbon source (see, for example, FIG. 1).

[0048] Preferably, the animal feed according to the invention comprises up to 20% (w / w) or up to 10% (w / w) of the yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably from Cyberlindnera jadinii, Kluyveromyces lactis, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Pichia anomala and / or Yarrowia lipolytica, more preferably from Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Cyberlindnera jadinii, and / or Kluyveromyces lactis. This is particularly advantageous, since the SCP products from the above species can have, for example, 34% (w / w) or more, preferably 41% (w / w) or more, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more protein on dry matter (see FIG. 1), and furthermore can completely replace animal-derived proteins such as fishmeal in the animal feed according to the invention (see, for example, FIG. 2, in particular the columns "SCP1-10", "SCP1-20", "SCP2-10" and "SCP2-20").

[0049] Preferably, the animal feed according to the present invention comprises up to 20% (w / w) or up to 10% (w / w) of the yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, such as Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC 26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP 1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO 569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS 1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS2576, and / or Yarrowia lipolytica CBS7504, preferably Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC 9950, and / or Kluyveromyces lactis CBS 2896.This is advantageous because animal feed containing up to 20% (w / w) or up to 10% (w / w) of the SCP product from the above yeast strains can be used as animal feed and can positively affect the body weight of animals fed with it, as also shown in Example 1 herein (see, e.g., Figures 3 and 4).

[0050] In the context of the present invention, the term "derived from" preferably refers to yeast cells originally obtained from and thus derived from a given yeast strain. Such derived cells may differ from said given yeast strain due to naturally occurring and / or artificially introduced changes such as genetic mutations, but preferably have similar characteristics to cells from the yeast strain from which they are derived. Such similar characteristics are preferably the ability to produce, with ethanol as carbon source, 34% (w / w) or more of protein per gram dry weight of yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more of protein per gram dry weight of yeast cells, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more of protein per gram dry weight of yeast cells. Such an ability can be easily tested by the skilled person by culturing yeast cells with ethanol as carbon source, thereby testing a range of ethanol concentrations as carbon source. Thus, cells derived from a given strain may have, preferably at the genome level, 80% or more, preferably 85% or more, more preferably 90% or more, even more preferably 95% or more of sequence identity to the respective strain that can be considered as a reference. Thus, the derived cells may have at least, for example, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the respective reference, preferably at the genomic level.

[0051]

[0051] As used herein, the term "sequence identity" or "identity" refers to a property of sequences that measures the similarity or relationship of sequences. As used in this disclosure, the term "sequence identity" or "identity" refers to the percentage of pairwise identical residues after (homologous) alignment of a sequence of nucleotides and / or amino acids with the respective sequence in question in terms of the number of residues in the longer of these two sequences. Sequence identity is measured by dividing the number of identical nucleotides and amino acid residues by their total number, respectively, and multiplying the product by 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize available computer programs for determining sequence identity using standard parameters, such as BLAST (Altschul et al., 1997), BLAST2 (Altschul et al., 1990), FASTA (Pearson and Lipman, 1988), GAP (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970), Smith-Waterman (Smith and Waterman, 1981), and Wisconsin GCG Package. The percentage of sequence identity can be determined herein, for example, using the program BLASTP, version 2.2.5, November 16, 2002 (Altschul et al., 1997), calculating the percentage of the number of "positives" (homologous amino acids) from the total number of amino acids selected for alignment.

[0052]

[0052] Thus, "percent sequence identity" with respect to the cells and / or strains described herein is preferably defined at the nucleic acid level, and is therefore defined as the percentage of nucleotides in a candidate sequence that are identical to nucleotides in a reference sequence, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and does not consider conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. Alignment to determine percent nucleotide sequence identity can be achieved in a variety of ways that are within the skill of the art, for example, using publicly available computer software such as BLAST, ALIGN, or Megalign (DNASTAR) software. The artisan can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms required to achieve maximum alignment over the entire length of the sequences being compared. The same applies mutatis mutandis to amino acid sequences.

[0053] For example, suitable alignment of nucleic acid sequences is provided by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman, (1981), Advances in Applied Mathematics 2:482-489. This algorithm can be applied to amino acid sequences by using a scoring matrix developed by Dayhoff, Atlas of Protein Sequences and Structure, MO Dayhoff ed., 5 suppl. 3:353-358, National Biomedical Research Foundation, Washington, DC, USA, and normalized by Gribskov (1986), Nucl. Acids Res. 14(6):6745-6763. An exemplary implementation of this algorithm for determining percent sequence identity is provided in the "BestFit" utility application by the Genetics Computer Group (Madison, Wis.). The default parameters for this method are described in the Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package Program Manual, Version 8 (1995) (available from Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.). A preferred method for establishing percent identity in the context of the present invention is to use the MPSRCH package, a program copyrighted by the University of Edinburgh, developed by John F. Collins and Shane S. Sturrok and distributed by IntelliGenetics, Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.). From this suite of packages, the Smith-Waterman algorithm can be employed, with default parameters used in the score table (e.g., gap open penalty is 12, gap extension penalty is 1, gap is 6). The "match" value from the generated data reflects "sequence identity".Other suitable programs for calculating the percent identity or similarity between sequences are generally known in the art, for example, another alignment program is BLAST, used with default parameters.

[0054]

[0054] In the context of the present invention, the following examples may be considered: The yeast strain obtained may initially have been the yeast strain officially deposited, but when cultivated and propagated over several generations, e.g. under laboratory conditions, the resulting yeast cells may be genetically identical to the deposited genetic material of the initial yeast strain. In the above cases, the cells "are" cells derived from the deposited strain and have 100% sequence identity with the deposited material at the genome level. However, some or even all of the cells may show some degree of genetic and / or epigenetic variation, e.g. due to one or more mutations. In the above cases, the cells under test are "derived" from the initial strain whose genetic material and / or cells were deposited. Such mutations may occur naturally during the cultivation and propagation of the cells. Alternatively or additionally, but preferably, such mutations may be artificially introduced, e.g. by genetic recombination. Thus, the derived cells may potentially exhibit variations in, for example, % protein per dry matter (w / w), amount of essential amino acids and / or composition of essential amino acids compared to the original yeast strain from which the cells were derived. The resulting yeast cells are sometimes referred to as mutants compared to the cell and / or strain from which they were derived.

[0055]

[0055] In this specification, the term "genetic modification" is used in the broadest sense of the methods known to those skilled in the art for modifying a desired nucleic acid in vitro and in vivo, for example by targeted mutagenesis and / or recombinant DNA techniques. Said methods may thus include cloning, sequencing, and transformation of recombinant nucleic acids, and suitable vectors, primers, enzymes, host cells, etc. are known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the genetically modified cells are genetically modified in the context of the present invention with a high protein (%) per dry matter, a favorable essential amino acid composition, efficient use of ethanol as a carbon source, etc. in mind.

[0056]

[0056] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "mutated" and "mutant" refer to permanent (epi)genetic modification of genetic material, i.e., nucleic acid, e.g., naturally or caused by physical means or by compounds / substances / agents such as EMS. Said modifications include point mutations, transitions, transversions, deletions / insertions / additions of one or more bases in a nucleic acid / gene / chromosome, thereby optionally modifying the nucleic acid / gene / chromosome, which may cause phenotypic effects, such as, among others, variation in % protein per dry matter (w / w). Moreover, such modifications may be caused by methods known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art are also aware of suitable methods of selecting cells taking into account one or more favorable and / or desirable phenotypic traits, such as increased % protein per dry matter (w / w) and / or utilization of ethanol as a carbon source.

[0057]

[0057] Preferably, the Saccharomycetales yeast cells are not genetically modified. Thus, the animal feed according to the invention comprises up to 20% (w / w), or up to 10% (w / w) of a yeast SCP product, the yeast SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, said Saccharomycetales yeast cells being preferably not genetically modified. This is advantageous to ensure that the SCP product contained in the animal feed contains only well-defined and / or well-characterized yeast cells and thus does not contain potentially undefined and / or uncharacterized mutated yeast cells. This is also advantageous to keep the quality of the SCP product constant.

[0058]

[0058] With regard to the SCP product contained in the animal feed according to the invention, it is preferred that said yeast SCP product comprises dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells. Thus, the animal feed according to the invention comprises up to 20% (w / w), or preferably up to 10% (w / w), of the yeast SCP product, said SCP product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells, said Saccharomycetales yeast cells being preferably at least partially dried. Furthermore, it is preferred that said dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells are intact cells, or disrupted cells, or a mixture of intact and disrupted cells. Thus, the animal feed of the present invention comprises up to 20% (w / w), or preferably up to 10% (w / w) yeast SCP product, said SCP product preferably comprising dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells, said dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells may be intact and / or disrupted (cells).

[0059] Additionally or alternatively, the yeast SCP product contained in the animal feed according to the invention preferably contains all essential amino acids. This is advantageous, since an animal feed containing a yeast SCP product containing all essential amino acids can completely replace the animal and / or plant derived protein sources currently used in animal feed. Thus, said SCP product can be an alternative protein source in terms of essential amino acids, without the need for any supplementation.

[0060]

[0060] In the context of the present invention, the term "essential amino acids" preferably refers to amino acids that animals cannot synthesize from metabolic intermediates. Such amino acids must therefore be provided from exogenous dietary sources, as they are necessary for growth, etc. For example, the following nine amino acids are generally considered essential, although this may vary depending on the metabolic state of the animal: phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, methionine, histidine, leucine, and lysine. In particular, from a nutritional point of view, the nine essential amino acids are provided by a single complete protein that contains all the essential amino acids. Plant-based foods generally provide the essential amino acids in the form of incomplete proteins, but such complete proteins may also be derived from animal-based nutritional sources.

[0061]

[0061] With regard to the SCP product contained in the animal feed according to the invention, it is preferred that said yeast SCP product comprises 34% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells. Such a protein content of yeast SCP is advantageous for the use of the animal feed for feeding animals, in particular for increasing the body weight of the animals fed it.

[0062]

[0062] Preferably, the animal feed according to the invention further comprises less than 25% (w / w) of a plant-based protein product. This has the advantage that the proportion of plant-based protein products can be reduced compared to currently used animal feed formulations, as exemplarily shown in the examples of the present specification. Thus, plant-based proteins that tend not to be well converted into animal-based proteins in traditional agriculture can be at least partially replaced by SCP products that are more likely to be converted, and at the same time, the potential ethical conflict between food and feed production becomes less relevant. Thus, less greenhouse gases are produced compared to traditional plant-based protein production, and animal feed can become a more sustainable alternative.

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, the animal product according to the invention preferably further comprises up to 5% (w / w) fishmeal, and preferably the animal feed is fishmeal-free. This is particularly advantageous in reducing or even overcoming the exploitation of wild fish stocks for fishmeal production. Thus, loss of biodiversity can be reduced, and the animal feed according to the invention further represents a relatively sustainable alternative to some currently available animal feed solutions that contain fishmeal.

[0064]

[0064] Preferably, the animal feed according to the present invention contains 1-25% (w / w) oil. Thus, the animal feed may contain, for example, about 5% (w / w), about 10% (w / w), about 15% (w / w), or about 20% (w / w) oil. Also, the animal feed may contain, for example, 5% (w / w)-10% (w / w), 5% (w / w)-20% (w / w), or 10% (w / w)-15% (w / w), or 15% (w / w)-20% (w / w) oil. Preferably, the animal feed contains 1% (w / w)-15% (w / w), more preferably 5% (w / w)-10% (w / w) oil.

[0065]

[0065] The animal feed according to the invention is preferably a feed for pigs, cattle or sheep. Alternatively or additionally, said animal feed is preferably a feed for an aquatic species. If the animal feed is a feed for an aquatic species, said species is preferably selected from crustaceans or fish. Thus, the animal feed may be a feed for crustaceans and / or fish. If the animal feed is a feed for crustaceans, said crustaceans are preferably shrimps. Additionally or alternatively, if the animal feed is a feed for fish, said fish may preferably be warm water fish or cold water fish. If said fish is a warm water fish, said fish is preferably selected from the group consisting of tilapia, sea bream, sea bass and carp. Preferably, said fish is a cold water fish, said fish being selected from salmon or rainbow trout. It is particularly preferred that the animal feed according to the invention is a feed for shrimp, salmon and / or rainbow trout.

[0066] The present invention also relates to the use of the animal feed disclosed herein for feeding animals, for example an animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w), preferably up to 20% (w / w), of the yeast SCP product disclosed herein above, wherein the yeast SCP product is preferably selected from Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, and / or Kluyveromyces lactis. An animal feed comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells derived from Saccharomycetis CBS 2896, preferably further comprising up to 5% (w / w) fish meal and up to 20% (w / w) plant-based protein products, may be used for feeding animals. Such animal feed is particularly advantageous since it is well ingested by animals, especially aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans.

[0067] The present invention also relates to the use of the animal feed disclosed herein for increasing the body weight of an animal, for example an animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w), preferably up to 20% (w / w), of the yeast SCP product disclosed herein above, wherein the yeast SCP product is preferably selected from Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, and / or Kluyveromyces lactis. An animal feed comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells derived from Saccharomycetis CBS 2896, preferably further comprising up to 5% (w / w) fish meal and up to 20% (w / w) plant-based protein products, may be used to feed animals, which is particularly advantageous for gaining weight in animals, such as aquatic species such as fish or crustaceans.

[0068]

[0068] Furthermore, either of the two uses according to the invention, and therefore the use of the animal feed of the invention disclosed for feeding animals and / or for increasing the weight of animals, has the advantage that the animal feed of the invention containing up to 20% (w / w) or 10% (w / w) of the yeast SCP product can be fed to animals without adversely affecting their feeding behavior, intake and / or weight. Thus, the animal feed of the invention can be advantageously used to partially, preferably even completely replace animal-derived proteins such as fish meal, the use of which in feeding animals is associated with better feeding and / or weight gain of the animals. Furthermore, the animal feed of the invention, in particular the animal feed containing up to 10% (w / w) of the yeast SCP product for feeding animals and for increasing the weight of animals, may even result in better feeding and weight gain, respectively, compared to the use of animal feed containing up to 10% (w / w) of alternative protein sources, such as insect meal or single-cell protein products from methylotrophic bacteria using methane as carbon source.

[0069]

[0069] The animal according to any one of the two uses according to the invention is preferably a pig, a cow or a sheep. Alternatively, said animal is preferably an aquatic species, i.e. an animal of an aquatic species. If the animal is an animal of an aquatic species, the aquatic species is preferably selected from crustaceans, preferably shrimp, or fish. Furthermore, if the animal is a fish, said fish is preferably a warm-water fish or a cold-water fish, said warm-water fish being preferably a warm-water fish selected from the group consisting of tilapia, sea bream, sea bass and carp, and said cold-water fish being preferably a salmon or a rainbow trout.

[0070]

[0070] It should be noted that the uses of the present invention are preferably non-therapeutic, and indeed the improvement of the body weight of an animal, such as an aquatic species, is not conventionally therapeutic as it may be considered to be related to and / or contributing to the health or growth of the animal.

[0071]

[0071] Thus, in the context of the use of the present invention, it is preferred that the animal is healthy.

[0072]

[0072] For any definitions provided herein, it should be noted that the respective definitions of terms, phrases, and / or abbreviations apply conversely throughout the entire specification. Furthermore, all definitions provided herein are intended to encompass all grammatical forms.

[0073]

[0073] Additional objects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following examples and accompanying figures, which are not intended to be limiting. Thus, although the present disclosure has been specifically disclosed by exemplary embodiments and optional features, it should be understood that those skilled in the art may make modifications and variations of the disclosure embodied herein, and such modifications and variations are deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0074] [Figure 1] Yeast single cell protein products from various yeast strains when grown with ethanol as carbon source. The resulting SCP product (y-axis) is shown as % protein on dry matter (w / w) for each yeast strain (x-axis) from a total of eight genera. [Diagram 2]The animal feed formulations used in the 12-week feeding study on rainbow trout are shown. SCP1 represents the single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii. SCP2 represents the single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis. SCP1-5 represents the animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of the single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1-10 represents the animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of the single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1-20 represents the animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of the single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii. SCP2-5 represents an animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2-10 represents an animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2-20 represents an animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis. [Diagram 3]Final body weights of rainbow trout at the end of the 12-week feeding study are shown. SCP1 5% represents the animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1 10% represents the animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1 20% represents the animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii. SCP2 5% represents an animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2 10% represents an animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2 20% represents an animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis. [Figure 4]Figure 1 shows the final body weight gain of rainbow trout at the end of the 12-week feeding study compared to the control (animal feed without single-cell protein products). SCP1 5% represents the animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single-cell protein products derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1 10% represents the animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single-cell protein products derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1 20% represents the animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single-cell protein products derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii. SCP2 5% represents an animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2 10% represents an animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2 20% represents an animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis. [Diagram 5]Figure 1 shows the increase in final body weight of rainbow trout at the end of a 12-week feeding trial compared to the control (animal feed without single-cell protein products) and compared to animal feed containing alternative protein sources, e.g. insect meal or single-cell protein products obtained by using methane as a substrate. SCP1 5% represents animal feed containing 5% (w / w) single-cell protein products derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1 10% represents animal feed containing 10% (w / w) single-cell protein products derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii; SCP1 20% represents animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) single-cell protein products derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii. SCP2 5% represents an animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2 10% represents an animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis; SCP2 20% represents an animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single-cell protein product derived from Kluyveromyces lactis. "IM10" represents an animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of insect meal; "IM20" represents an animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of insect meal. "KP5" stands for animal feed containing 5% (w / w) of single cell protein product obtained by using methane as substrate; "KP10" stands for animal feed containing 10% (w / w) of single cell protein product obtained by using methane as substrate; "KP20" stands for animal feed containing 20% ​​(w / w) of single cell protein product obtained by using methane as substrate. "Additive" stands for Balancius, a product launched for broilers to improve nutrient absorption from the intestine."IM10" and "IM20" in the center part of the figure represent animal feeds containing 10% (w / w) and 20% (w / w) insect meal, respectively, and the right part of the figure represents animal feeds containing 10% (w / w) and 20% (w / w) insect protein meal, respectively. In all tests, the insect meal tested was Protein x from Protix.

[0075] [VI. Examples]

[0079] [Example 1: Production of SCP products]

[0080] Using ethanol as a carbon source, Saccharomycetales yeast cells from different yeast genera were used to produce single-cell protein products. More specifically, strains of the genera Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, Wickerhamomyces, Yarrowia, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Ogateae, and Blastobotrys were investigated. The protein content (g) (%) (w / w) per dry matter of the SCP products obtained in the examples was compared with that of Yarrowia lipolytica, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Blastobotrys adeninivorans, Ogateae polymorpha, Pichia anomala, Pichia pastorsi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Cyberlindnera jadinii, and Kluyveromyces lactis. The SCP products obtained with Saccharomycetales yeast cells from Saccharomycetales lactis are shown in Figure 1. As shown, the yeast cells that performed relatively well were Saccharomycetales yeast cells from Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Kluyveromyces lactis, and Cyberlindnera jadinii, considering the protein (g) per dry matter (g) given as protein on dry matter (%), with (maximum) more than 41% (w / w) observed.

[0076]

[0081] [Example 2: Rainbow trout feeding test] [Test Design]

[0082] A control diet containing 10% (w / w) fish meal (FM) and 20% (w / w) soy protein concentrate (SPC) was used. In addition, two test products (SCP1 and SCP2) were investigated. The test products were based on the control diet, in which fish meal was either partially replaced (5% diet), completely replaced (10% diet) or completely replaced with a portion of soy protein concentrate (20% diet). Replacement was performed with single-cell protein products derived from yeasts, namely Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656 (SCP1) or Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896 (SCP2). The diets were isonitrogenous and isolipidic. The details of the diet formulation are shown in Figure 2.

[0077]

[0083] Three groups of rainbow trout were fed with the diet with an initial IBW of 50 g for 12 weeks. Thus, the feeding trial period was 12 weeks. Furthermore, the feeding trial consisted of three inclusion levels for each of the two test products, namely 5%, 10% and 20%, as explained. Thus, a total of seven groups were investigated, namely control, SCP1 5%, SCP1 10%, SCP 20%, SCP2 5%, SCP2 10% and SCP2 20%. All groups were investigated in three replicates each, resulting in a total of 21 replicates, which corresponds to a total of 21 tanks. Herein, the tanks had a volume of 250 L and contained 20 fish per tank. The temperature was set at 15°C. The animals were manually fed twice a day. Weight measurements were taken every two weeks in the form of bulk weight measurements.

[0078] [result]

[0084] Final body weight was similar in six of the seven groups. More specifically, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the two novel sustainable protein sources showed comparable growth performance compared to the marine control diet when included in the diet at up to 10%; only SCP2 20% showed a significant reduction in final body weight (4%). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, feeding SCP1 increased final body weight by +0.81 (5%) to -2.01% (20%) compared to the control, and feeding SCP2 increased final body weight by +3.13 (10%) to -4.4% (20%) compared to the control. Note that animals ate well in the SCP2 20% group above.

[0079]

[0085] Final body weight was also compared to the additional feeding diets. In particular, Figure 5 shows a comparison of the percentage (%) of final body weight with the SCP diet under test as well as with a control using alternative protein replacements (IM = insect meal (center) and insect protein meal (right), respectively, the insect diets tested were Protein x from Protix; KP = knip bio: single cell protein obtained using methane as substrate; "additive" = Balancius). As can be seen in Figure 5, the effect of including 20% ​​of the KP ingredient was found to have a significant impact on final body weight, decreasing it by about 25%.

[0080] [Summary of the experiment]

[0086] The data showed that SCP replacement ingredients were generally successful when used at up to 10%. Inclusion above that level generally had a significant effect on growth (either associated with reduced palatability of diets containing high levels of replacement ingredients; or because the ingredients contain anti-nutritional factors that may impair digestion and absorption of nutrients).

[0081]

[0087] Thus, the use of two different alternative sources obtained from yeasts (C. jadinii and K. lactis) showed comparable or improved growth at levels up to 10% inclusion in the diet of rainbow trout. The inclusion of 20% of the ingredients slightly reduced the performance of the animals after 12 weeks of feeding. Thus, the experiments carried out showed that the new protein source can effectively replace fish meal and soy protein concentrate up to 20% in real aquaculture diets of freshwater species such as rainbow trout.

[0082]

[0088] The present invention can also be summarized in the following items: 1. An animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w) yeast single cell protein product, wherein the yeast single cell protein product comprises Saccharomycetales yeast cells. 2. The animal feed according to item 1, comprising up to 10% (w / w) of yeast single-cell protein product, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises Saccharomycetales yeast cells. 3. The animal feed according to item 1 or 2, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises a Saccharomycetales yeast cell that is not a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell. 4. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product does not contain Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells. 5. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the single-cell protein product comprises ethanol-fed Saccharomycetales yeast cells. 6. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is a yeast cell from the genus Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, Wickerhamomyces, Pichia, or Yarrowia, preferably a yeast cell from the genus Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, or Wickerhamomyces. 7. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is derived from Cyberlindnera jadinii, Kluyveromyces lactis, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Pichia anomala, or Yarrowia lipolytica, preferably from Cyberlindnera jadinii, Kluyveromyces lactis, or Wickerhamomyces anomalus. 8. The yeast cell of the order Saccharomycetales is selected from the group consisting of Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC 26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP 1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO 569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS 1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC 9950, Kluyveromyces lactis CBS 2896, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS 2576, and Yarrowia lipolytica. lipolytica CBS7504, preferably Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, or Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896. 9. The yeast cell of the order Saccharomycetales is selected from the group consisting of Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC 26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP 1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO 569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS 1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC 9950, Kluyveromyces lactis CBS 2896, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS 2576, and Yarrowia lipolytica. lipolytica CBS7504, preferably Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC26387, Cyberlindnera jadinii FERM-BP1656, Wickerhamomyces anomalus IFO569, Wickerhamomyces anomalus CBS1980, Cyberlindnera jadinii ATCC9950, or Kluyveromyces lactis CBS2896. 10. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cells are capable of producing, using ethanol as a carbon source, 34% (w / w) or more of protein per gram of dry weight of the Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more of protein per gram of dry weight of the Saccharomycetales yeast cells, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more of protein per gram of dry weight of the Saccharomycetales yeast cells. 11. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product contains all essential amino acids. 12. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is not genetically modified. 13. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises 34% (w / w) or more of protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells, preferably 41% (w / w) or more of protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells, more preferably 42.5% (w / w) or more of protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells. 14. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells. 15. The animal feed according to item 14, wherein the dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells are intact cells, or disrupted cells, or a mixture of intact and disrupted cells. 16. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the animal feed further comprises less than 25% (w / w) of a plant-based protein product. 17. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the animal feed further comprises less than 5% (w / w) of fish meal. 18. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the animal feed does not contain fish meal. 19. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the animal feed comprises 1 to 25% (w / w) oil. 20. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 19, wherein the animal feed is feed for pigs, cows, or sheep. 21. The animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 20, wherein the animal feed is a feed for an aquatic species. 22. The animal feed according to item 21, wherein the aquatic species is selected from crustaceans or fish. 23. The animal feed according to item 22, wherein the fish is a warm-water fish or a cold-water fish. 24. The animal feed according to item 23, wherein the warm-water fish is selected from tilapia, sea bream, sea bass, or carp. 25. The animal feed according to item 23, wherein the cold water fish is selected from salmon or rainbow trout. 26. The animal feed according to item 22, wherein the crustacean is shrimp. 27. Use of an animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 26 for feeding an animal. 28. Use of an animal feed according to any one of items 1 to 26 for increasing the body weight of an animal. 29. The use according to item 27 or 28, wherein the animal is an aquatic species. 30. The use according to item 29, wherein the aquatic species is selected from crustaceans or fish. 31. The use according to item 30, wherein the fish is a warm-water fish or a cold-water fish. 32. The use according to item 31, wherein the warm-water fish is selected from tilapia, sea bream, sea bass, or carp. 33. The use according to item 32, wherein the cold water fish is selected from salmon or rainbow trout. 34. The use according to item 30, wherein the crustacean is shrimp. 35. The use according to item 27 or 28, wherein the animal is a pig, a cow or a sheep.

[0083]

[0089] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein, which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by this invention.

[0084]

[0090] Unless otherwise stated, the following terms used in this document, including the specification and claims, have the definitions given below.

[0085]

[0091] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "reagents" includes one or more of such various reagents, and reference to "methods" includes references to equivalent steps and methods known to those of skill in the art that may be modified or substituted for the methods described herein.

[0086]

[0092] Unless otherwise specifically indicated, the term "at least" preceding a series of elements is to be understood to refer to every element in the series. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0087]

[0093] The term "and / or", wherever used in this specification, includes the meanings "and", "or" and "any other combination of the elements connected by said term".

[0088]

[0094] The terms "about" or "approximately" as used herein mean within ±20%, preferably within ±10%, and more preferably within ±5% of a given value or range, but also include specific numbers (e.g., about 20 includes 20).

[0089]

[0095] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context otherwise requires, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises," "comprising," and the like will be understood to mean the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of other integers or steps or group of integers or steps. As used herein, the term "comprising" can be replaced with the terms "containing" or "including," and, as used herein, can sometimes be replaced with the term "having."

[0090]

[0096] As used herein, "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim.

[0091]

[0097] In each instance herein, any of the terms "comprising," "consisting essentially of," and "consisting of" may be replaced with either of the other two terms.

[0092]

[0098] It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, materials, reagents, and substances described herein, as such may vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

[0093]

[0099] Other aspects are within the claims. Additionally, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of a Markush group, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may also be described in terms of any individual members of the Markush group or subgroups of members thereof.

[0094]

[0100] All publications cited throughout the text of this specification (including all patents, patent applications, scientific publications, manufacturer's specifications, instructions, etc.) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Nothing herein should be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. To the extent that material incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contradictory with the present specification, the present specification supersedes such material.

Claims

1. 1. An animal feed comprising up to 20% (w / w) of a yeast single-cell protein product, said yeast single-cell protein product comprising Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

2. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, comprising up to 10% (w / w) yeast single-cell protein product, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

3. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises a Saccharomycetales yeast cell that is not a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell and / or the yeast single-cell protein product does not comprise a Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell.

4. 10. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the single-cell protein product comprises ethanol-fed Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

5. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cell is from the genus Cyberlindnera, Kluyveromyces, Wickerhamomyces, Pichia, or Yarrowia.

6. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cells are capable of producing 34% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of the Saccharomycetales yeast cells using ethanol as a carbon source.

7. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises all essential amino acids.

8. 10. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the Saccharomycetales yeast cells are not genetically modified.

9. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises 34% (w / w) or more protein per gram dry weight of Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

10. 10. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the yeast single-cell protein product comprises dried Saccharomycetales yeast cells.

11. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein i) the animal feed further comprises less than 25% (w / w) of a plant-based protein product, and / or ii) the animal feed further comprises 5% (w / w) or less of fish meal, and / or iii) the animal feed is fish meal-free, and / or iv) the animal feed comprises 1-25% (w / w) of oil.

12. 2. The animal feed of claim 1, wherein the animal feed is a feed for pigs, cattle, or sheep, or the animal feed is a feed for an aquatic species, and the aquatic species is selected from crustaceans or fish.

13. 10. Use of the animal feed according to claim 1 for feeding animals.

14. 10. Use of the animal feed of claim 1 for increasing the weight of an animal.

15. 15. The use according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the animal is a pig, a cow, or a sheep, or the animal is an aquatic species.

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