AU2016305897B2

AU2016305897B2 - Farmed tuna species and applications thereof, and method for breeding farmed tuna species

Info

Publication number: AU2016305897B2
Application number: AU2016305897A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Takeshi Goto; Kazushi HARADA; Itaru Shioya
Original assignee: Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd
Current assignee: Nissui Corp
Priority date: 2015-08-07
Filing date: 2016-08-08
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-08
Also published as: JP2021058190A; JP7036890B2; WO2017026458A1; JP2022069503A; AU2016305897A1; JP7650247B2; JP6805026B2; JP2017118879A; JP2023158088A; JP2017035078A; JP6106795B2; AU2018100376A4

Abstract

Provided are: a farmed tuna of which at least one selected from the group consisting of the muscles, the liver, and the eyeballs contains 2 mg or more of vitamin E per 100 g; an edible portion of the farmed tuna, and a cooked or uncooked food product including the edible portion; and a method for raising farmed tuna comprising feeding the fish continuously for at least sixty days using a mixed feed that includes an inner capsule containing fish meal and fats and an outer casing comprising a cooked gel of at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and starches, the outer casing enclosing the inner capsule, and the vitamin E content of the inner capsule being 500 ppm or more with respect to the entire feed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

FARMED TUNA SPECIES AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF, AND METHOD FOR BREEDING FARMED TUNA SPECIES

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]

The present invention relates to a farmed tuna species and applications thereof, and a method for breeding a farmed tuna species.

BACKGROUND ART [0002]

From the perspective of nutrition, stable supply, environmental pollution concerns and sustained aquaculture, there have been attempts in fish aquaculture to change over from live feed to blended feed, and various blended feeds have been developed. Blended feeds aligned with palatability to a fish species have been proposed to advance the changeover to blended feeds, particularly for highly ichthyophagous fish species.

For example, WO 2010/110326 and JP 2012-65565 A disclose feeds for fish farming having an outer layer and an inner layer. WO 2010/110326 and JP 2012-65565 A state that these feeds for fish farming are used in highly palatable farmed fish such as tuna species, and leads to good feed consumption and feed efficiency. JP 2014-45750 A discloses a two-layered structure feed including an outer shell and an inner filling containing protein raw material and liquid oil, and states that this feed leads to high feed consumption and suppresses oil leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem [0003]

Meanwhile, it is known that vitamin E has an antioxidant action and the like, and in organisms, vitamin E exhibits functions specific to each type of tissue. For this reason, there is a demand for the high physiological action of vitamin E in tissues of farmed fish as well.

The present invention provides a farmed tuna species and applications thereof, and a method for breeding or method for producing the same.

Solution to Problem

Solution to Problem [0004]

The present invention includes the following embodiments:

(1) A farmed tuna species wherein at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball contains not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.

(2) The farmed tuna species according to (1), wherein the farmed tuna species is obtained by breeding management with feed including a blended feed.

(3) The farmed tuna species according to (1) or (2), wherein a pyloric appendage relative weight is not less than 2%.

(4) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the farmed tuna species has a pyloric appendage containing not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.

(5) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein a total fish body weight is not less than 20 kg.

(6) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein a caudal furca length is not less than 90 cm.

(7) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a body mass index is not less than 20.

(8) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the farmed tuna species is a tuna species of the Thunnus genus, Auxis genus, Euthynnus genus, Katsuwonus genus, or Sarda genus.

(9) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the farmed tuna species is Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Thunnus tonggol, Sarda orientalis, or Euthynnus affinis.

(10) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the farmed tuna species is a tuna species having a staple food of fishes having the northern hemisphere as a habitat.

(11) The farmed tuna species according to (10), wherein the farmed tuna species is Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Thunnus tonggol, Sarda orientalis, or Euthynnus affinis.

(12) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein at least one location selected from the group consisting of gills, guts, tail section, and head section is removed.

(13) The farmed tuna species according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the species has a morphology in which gills and guts are removed.

(14) The farmed tuna species according to (13), wherein a total weight is not less than 17 kg.

(15) An edible part of the farmed tuna species described in any one of (1) to (14), the edible part containing not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.

(16) The edible part of the farmed tuna species according to (15), wherein the edible part is at least a portion of fish meat, guts, eyeballs, skin, or brain.

(17) The edible part of the farmed tuna species according to (15), wherein the edible part is lean meat or fatty meat.

(18) The edible part of the farmed tuna species according to (15), wherein the part is at least one selected from the group consisting of liver, pyloric appendage, stomach, esophagus, intestine, testis, ovary, spleen, heart, and swim bladder.

(19) A food product including the edible part of the farmed tuna species according to any one of (15) to (18).

(20) The food product according to (19), including an uncooked product of the edible part of the farmed tuna species, and a container holding the uncooked product of the edible part.

(21) The food product according to (19), including a cooked product of the edible part of the farmed tuna species, and a container holding the cooked product of the edible part.

(22) An animal feed including the edible part of the farmed tuna species described in any one of (15) to (18).

(23) A method for breeding the farmed tuna species described in any one of (1) to (14), the method including feeding for at least 60 continuous days with a blended feed including: an inner filling containing fish meal and oil or fat; and an outer shell encapsulating the inner filling, the outer shell being at least one heat-induced gel selected from the group consisting of proteins and polysaccharides; wherein a vitamin E content in the inner filling is not less than 500 ppm relative to the entire feed.

(24) A method for producing the edible part of the farmed tuna species described in any one of (15) to (18), the method including providing a farmed tuna species bred by the method for breeding the farmed tuna species described in (22), and collecting an edible part from the provided farmed tuna species.

(25) A use of the farmed tuna species described in any one of (1) to (14) or the edible part of the farmed tuna species described in any one of (15) to (18) for producing the food product described in any one of (19) to (21) or the animal feed described in (22).

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0005]

According to the present invention, provided are a farmed tuna species enriched with vitamin E and applications thereof, and a method for breeding or method for producing the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING [0006]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fish body cross-section illustrating the collection locations of fish meat in the examples.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0007]

In the present specification, in addition to an independent step, the term step also refers to a step that achieves an intended object of the step even when the step cannot be clearly distinguished from other steps. In the present specification, numeric ranges indicated by “to” are ranges that include the minimum and maximum values each stated before and after the “to”.

In the present specification, the terms “not greater than” and “less than” in regard to percentages mean ranges including 0%, that is, including the case of “not containing”, or a value undetectable by present means, unless the lower limit is specifically stated. In the present specification, in a case where multiple substances corresponding to each of the components in the composition are present, the amount of each component in the composition, unless otherwise noted, is taken to mean the total amount of these multiple substances present in the composition.

[0008]

Farmed Tuna Species

In the farmed tuna species in an embodiment of the present invention, at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball contains not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. In the present specification, this farmed tuna species is sometimes referred to as “vitamin E-enriched farmed fish”.

According to the 2010 Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, the vitamin E content in ichthyophagous farmed fish is known to be approximately 1 to 2 mg per 100 g of edible part in yellowtail, approximately 4 mg per 100 g of edible part in young yellowtail (farmed), and approximately 3 mg per 100 g of edible part in swordfish. On the other hand, the vitamin E content in tuna (fatty meat) is known to be 1.5 mg per 100 g, which is lower than in the above fish species.

[0009]

In contrast, in the farmed tuna species according to the present embodiment, at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball contains not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. Farmed tuna species having tissue with such high vitamin E content have not yet been seen.

[0010]

Thus, the farmed tuna species in the present embodiment contains vitamin E in a far higher concentration than tuna species in the related art, and as a result, the high physiological action of vitamin E characteristic to each tissue can be exhibited. Furthermore, because the farmed tuna species in the present embodiment accumulates vitamin E in tissues in far higher concentrations than farmed tuna species in the related art, it is expected that the fish will be strong against food limitations in the breeding environment, its survival rate will be high, it will be strong against stress, and it will tend not to contract disease due to the suppression of generation of peroxidized lipids due to the antioxidant action or the immune stimulating action of vitamin E. When the edible parts of such a farmed tuna species are used as food, it is expected that so-called burnt tuna syndrome will tend not to occur due to the antioxidant power of vitamin E. Further, it is also expected that vitamin E efficacy will be efficiently exhibited due to a larger amount of vitamin E being ingested in a smaller amount of food.

[0011]

Known vitamin E-enriched farmed tuna species generally contain a relatively large amount of functional unsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the like. Since vitamin E-enriched farmed fish contain a large amount of vitamin E, oxidation of functional unsaturated fatty acids may be suppressed.

Examples of the tuna species in the present specification include fish of the Thunnini tribe and the Sardini tribe. Examples of fish of the Thunnini tribe include fish of the Thunnus genus, Auxis genus, Euthynnus genus, and Katsuwonus genus. Examples of fish of the Sardini tribe include fish of the Gymnosarda genus, and the Sarda genus. Examples of tuna species include Thunnus genus fishes such as Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, and Thunnus tonggol; Katsuwonus pelamis; Auxis genus fishes such as Auxis thazard and Auxis rochei; and Euthynnus affinis; or Sarda orientalis, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Thunnus tonggol, Sarda orientalis, or Euthynnus affinis.

[0012]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish is preferably a tuna species having a staple food of fishes having the northern hemisphere as a habitat. In nature, tuna species that may have a staple food of fishes having the northern hemisphere as a habitat may be Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Thunnus tonggol, Sarda orientalis, or Euthynnus affinis.

[0013]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may be obtained by any method, and may be obtained by breeding management with feed including blended feed.

In the present specification, “blended feed” means feed that combines ingredients so as to have satisfactory nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals required for the growth of fish. In the present specification, “breeding management” means that fish are bred using feed selected for achieving a specified objective.

[0014]

In the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball contains not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. The at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, not less than 20 mg, not less than 30 mg, not less than 50 mg, not less than 80 mg, not less than 100 mg, or not less than 150 mg of vitamin E. In the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, vitamin E may be contained in a ratio of not less than 2 mg per 100 g in a portion of the fish, the portion being at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content of the at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg.

[0015]

Examples of muscles include the dorsal lateral muscle, ventral lateral muscle, dorsal carinal muscle, ventral carinal muscle, and red muscle. The dorsal lateral muscle, ventral lateral muscle, dorsal carinal muscle, and ventral carinal muscle can be divided into lean meat, which is located in the relatively deep portion of a fish body, exhibits a red tinge, and has a high myoglobin content, and fatty meat, which is located in the relatively shallow portion of a fish body, exhibits a paler red tinge, and has a lower myoglobin content. Fatty meat is sometimes called the common name “tuna belly,” which is called “high fatty tuna belly” or “medium fatty tuna belly” or the like according to its fat content. The red muscle is a muscle having a red-brown color near the junction of the dorsal and ventral lateral muscles.

[0016]

Vitamin E content is measured as follows. In the case of a muscle, a portion of the muscle measuring, for example, approximately 5 cm square is cut out and used as a sample. In the case of the liver, a portion of the liver measuring, for example, approximately 5 cm x 5 cm is cut out from the center portion and used as a sample. In the case of an eyeball, the eyeball and optic nerve are both cut out, thinly sliced, and used as samples.

The vitamin E content in the sample is measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPTC) (fluorospectrophotometer) after removing unsaponified matter by alkali saponification. Specifically, alkali saponification is performed using a sodium chloride solution, a pyrogallol-ethanol solution, and a potassium hydroxide solution, and then shaking extraction is performed using a sodium chloride solution and a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate. The supernatant is fractionated and the solvent is distilled out, and the resultant is added to hexane to produce a measurement sample, which is measured based on peak ratio in HPTC.

[0017]

Examples of vitamin E include tocopherol and tocotrienol, specifically a-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, a-tocotrienol, β-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol, and δ-tocotrienol. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may include each of these types of vitamin E alone or a combination of two or more types.

[0018]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain vitamin E in any two tissues among muscle, liver, and eyeball. That is, they may contain vitamin E in muscle and eyeball, muscle and liver, liver and eyeball, or in muscle, liver, and eyeball, in an amount of not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, or not less than 15 mg per 100 g. Such vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are expected to have high vitamin E content in a plurality of tissues. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and for example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg or not greater than 300 mg.

[0019]

The muscle of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, or not less than 10 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content of the muscle of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg, not greater than 300 mg, not greater than 100 mg, or not greater than 50 mg. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having muscle with such a high vitamin E content can, for example, swim for a long time without fatigue and can also suppress the development of so-called burnt tuna syndrome.

[0020]

The liver of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, not less than 20 mg, not less than 30 mg, not less than 50 mg, not less than 80 mg, not less than 100 mg, or not less than 150 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content of the liver of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg or not greater than 300 mg. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having a liver with such a high vitamin E content can, for example, maintain the capability of digesting farmed tuna species for a longer time, and, due to more sustained nutrient absorption, can maintain health for a longer time. [0021]

The eyeball of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, or not less than 20 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content of the eyeball of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg, not greater than 300 mg, not greater than 100 mg, or not greater than 50 mg. Such vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having eyeballs with a high vitamin E content tend not to have eyestrain and can improve feeding capability or can easily avoid collision with obstacles through improved vision and the like, due to a peripheral circulation disorder improving action, a peroxidized lipid increase preventing action, a retina metabolic disorder improving action, and the like.

[0022]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain α-tocopherol in any two tissues among muscle, liver, and eyeball. That is, they may contain a-tocopherol in muscle and eyeball, muscle and liver, liver and eyeball, or in muscle, liver, and eyeball, in an amount of not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, or not less than 15 mg per 100 g. Such vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are expected to have high vitamin E content in the entire fish body. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of a-tocopherol content of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg or not greater than 300 mg.

[0023]

The muscle of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, or not less than 10 mg of α-tocopherol per 100 g. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of α-tocopherol content of the muscle of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg, not greater than 300 mg, not greater than 100 mg, or not greater than 50 mg. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having muscle with such a high α-tocopherol content can, for example, swim for a long time without fatigue and can also suppress the development of so-called burnt tuna syndrome.

The liver of the vitamin E-rich farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, not less than 20 mg, not less than 30 mg, not less than 50 mg, not less than 80 mg, not less than 100 mg, or not less than 150 mg of α-tocopherol per 100 g. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of α-tocopherol content of the liver of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg or not greater than 300 mg. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having a liver with such a high α-tocopherol content can, for example, maintain the capability of digesting farmed tuna species for a longer time, and, due to more sustained nutrient absorption, can maintain health for a longer time.

[0024]

The eyeball of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, or not less than 20 mg of α-tocopherol per 100 g. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of α-tocopherol content of the eyeball of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish. For example, it may be not greater than 1000 mg, not greater than 300 mg, not greater than 100 mg, or not greater than 50 mg. Such vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having eyeballs with a high vitamin E content tend not to have eyestrain and can improve feeding capability or can easily avoid collision with obstacles through improved vision and the like, due to a peripheral circulation disorder improving action, a peroxidized lipid increase preventing action, a retina metabolic disorder improving action, and the like.

[0025]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may preferably have a body mass index of not less than 20, more preferably not less than 21, and even more preferably not less than 22. Vitamin E-enriched farmed fish with a body mass index of not less than 20 are fatty compared to natural fish and can provide a greater amount of edible parts enriched with vitamin E.

Body mass index can generally be evaluated based on the following Equation (1).

Body mass index =

Weight (g)/[Caudal furca length (cm) x Caudal furca length (cm) χ Caudal furca length (cm)] χ 1000 ··· (1) [0026]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may have a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm, not less than 100 cm, not less than 120 cm, not less than 150 cm, or not less than 200 cm. Vitamin E-enriched farmed fish with a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm have a large body compared to natural fish and can provide a greater amount of edible parts enriched with vitamin E. Caudal furca length is the distance from the tip of the head section of a fish to the end of the fin center, and is an index of external morphology known to persons skilled in the art. The caudal furca length is measured as the planar linear distance from the tip of the head section of a fish to the end of the fin center. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of caudal furca length of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and for example, it may be not greater than 2000 cm.

[0027]

The total fish body weight of an individual vitamin E-enriched farmed fish is preferably not less than 20 kg, more preferably not less than 25 kg, even more preferably not less than 30 kg, yet more preferably not less than 35 kg, and particularly preferably not less than 40 kg. With a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having a greater total fish body weight, there is the advantage that a greater amount of edible parts enriched with vitamin E can be provided, and, due to containing a large amount of fatty meat, there is the advantage that the difference between the fatty meat portion and the lean meat portion is more pronounced, and a greater amount of fatty meat, which tends not to oxidize due to the antioxidant power of vitamin E, can be obtained.

No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of total fish body weight of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and for example, it may be not greater than 500 kg.

[0028]

Vitamin E-enriched farmed fish can have locations with higher vitamin E content compared to farmed fish not enriched with vitamin E. In vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, generation of peroxidized lipids and the like is suppressed by the enriched vitamin E at locations with high vitamin E content, and good function can be exhibited.

[0029]

Vitamin E-enriched farmed fish can have a larger pyloric appendage compared to farmed fish not enriched with vitamin E. For example, in a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, the pyloric appendage relative weight may be not less than 2%. Since the pyloric appendage in fishes is a nutrient absorbing organ, it is expected that nutrient absorption will be relatively large when the size of the pyloric appendage is large. When vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are bred using a blended feed, the pyloric appendage relative weight tends to be higher than in other farmed fish. The ratio of pyloric appendage weight relative to total fish body weight (that is, the pyloric appendage relative weight) in the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of an embodiment may be not less than 2%, not less than 2.5%, not less than 3%, or not less than 3.5%. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of pyloric appendage relative weight of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and for example, it may be not greater than 10%.

Since nutrient absorption is relatively good in vitamin E-enriched farmed fish with high pyloric appendage relative weight, in the case where one or a plurality of other nutrient ingredients that can accumulate in the edible parts and the like are included in a blended feed, it is expected that these other nutrient ingredients will accumulate to a high degree. The weight of the pyloric appendage can be measured after obtaining the pyloric appendage by separating it from the guts extracted from the fish body.

[0030]

The pyloric appendage of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may contain not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, not less than 20 mg, not less than 30 mg, not less than 50 mg, or not less than 80 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. When the vitamin E content of the pyloric appendage is high, it is expected that the function of the pyloric appendage can be effectively exhibited based on the antioxidant power of vitamin E. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content of the pyloric appendage of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and for example, it may be not greater than 500 mg.

[0031]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may have a tissue or organ containing not less than 2 mg of vitamin E other than the above. Examples of the tissue or organ with high vitamin E content that the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish may have include the stomach, esophagus, intestine, testis, ovary, spleen, heart, and blood.

[0032]

Examples of morphologies of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish include locations anywhere from the head section to the tail section, that is, an “individual fish”, and a “processed morphology” in which a portion of the fish body of an individual fish has been removed.

Examples of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish having a processed morphology include morphologies in which at least one location selected from the group consisting of the gills, guts, tail section, and head section have been removed. Examples of guts include the esophagus, stomach, intestine, liver, pyloric appendage, testes, ovaries, spleen, heart, and swim bladder. The processed morphology may be selected as appropriate depending on convenience of distribution, and may be, for example, a morphology in which the gills and guts have been removed. Tuna species having a morphology in which gills and guts have been removed are generally called GG tuna. In other words, “GG tuna” indicates a morphology in which gills and guts, specifically, the esophagus, stomach, intestine, liver, pyloric appendage, gonads (testes or ovaries), spleen, heart, and swim bladder, have been removed.

[0033]

The weight of GG tuna is known to be equivalent to 85% to 89% of total fish body weight. The weight of GG tuna in this embodiment may be not less than 17 kg, not less than 21 kg, not less than 26 kg, or not less than 34 kg. With a greater weight, there is the advantage that a greater amount of edible parts enriched with vitamin E can be provided, and, due to containing a large amount of fatty meat, there is the advantage that the difference between the fatty meat portion and the lean meat portion is more pronounced, and a greater amount of fatty meat, which tends not to oxidize due to the antioxidant power of vitamin E, can be obtained. The length of GG tuna is substantially the same as the caudal furca length of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish described above. Specifically,

GG tuna may have a length of not less than 90 cm, not less than 100 cm, or not less than 120 cm. GG tuna with a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm have a large body compared to natural fish, and can provide a greater amount of edible parts enriched with vitamin E.

[0034]

Other examples of morphologies include a so-called headless morphology in which the head section and tail section have been further removed from a GG tuna, and a so-called loin morphology in which a headless morphology is divided into right and left sides and then dorsal and ventral sides to form four pieces.

[0035]

A vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of a processed morphology in which at least one location selected from the group consisting of the gills, guts, and head section have been removed may have muscles, eyeballs or both muscles and eyeballs. Similar to an individual fish, the muscles of a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of a processed morphology may contain vitamin E in an amount of not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, or not less than 10 mg per 100 g. Similar to an individual fish, the eyeballs of a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of a processed morphology may contain vitamin E in an amount of not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, or not less than 20 mg per 100 g.

[0036]

Examples of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish according to an embodiment of the present invention include the following:

(1) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish containing not less than 5 mg, 8 mg, or 10 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of muscle, and having a body mass index of not less than 21, a total fish body weight of not less than 25 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm;

(2) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish containing not less than 5 mg, 8 mg, or 10 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of muscle, and having a body mass index of not less than 20, a total fish body weight of not less than 20 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 100 cm;

(3) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that is a GG tuna containing not less than 5 mg, 8 mg, or 10 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of muscle, and having a body mass index of not less than 21, a total fish body weight of not less than 21 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm;

(4) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that is a GG tuna containing not less than 5 mg, 8 mg, or 10 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of muscle, and having a body mass index of not less than 20, a total fish body weight of not less than 17 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 100 cm;

[0037] (5) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish containing not less than 50 mg, 80 mg, or 100 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of liver, and having a body mass index of not less than 21, a total fish body weight of not less than 25 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm;

(6) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish containing not less than 50 mg, 80 mg, or 100 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of liver, and having a body mass index of not less than 20, a total fish body weight of not less than 20 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 100 cm;

(7) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that is a GG tuna containing not less than 50 mg, 80 mg, or 100 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of liver, and having a body mass index of not less than 21, a total fish body weight of not less than 21 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm;

(8) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that is a GG tuna containing not less than 50 mg, 80 mg, or 100 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of liver, and having a body mass index of not less than 20, a total fish body weight of not less than 17 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 100 cm;

[0038] (9) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish containing not less than 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of eyeball, and having a body mass index of not less than 21, a total fish body weight of not less than 25 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm;

(10) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish containing not less than 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of eyeball, and having a body mass index of not less than 20, a total fish body weight of not less than 20 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 100 cm;

(11) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that is a GG tuna containing not less than 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of eyeball, and having a body mass index of not less than 21, a total fish body weight of not less than 21 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 90 cm; and (12) a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that is a GG tuna containing not less than 10 mg, 15 mg, or 20 mg of vitamin E per 100 g of eyeball, and having a body mass index of not less than 20, a total fish body weight of not less than 17 kg, and a caudal furca length of not less than 100 cm.

[0039]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of (1) to (12) tend not to contract disease, and when used as food, they are enriched with vitamin E and exhibit better properties.

Morphologies (1) to (4) related to muscles, morphologies (5) to (8) related to liver, and morphologies (9) to (12) related to eyeballs may be used each individually or may be combined within the allowable ranges.

[0040]

In the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of the above (1), (2), (5), (6), (9), and (10), the pyloric appendage relative weight may be not less than 2%, not less than 2.5%, not less than 3%, or not less than 3.5%. In the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of the above (1), (2), (5), (6), (9), and (10), the pyloric appendage weight may be not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, not less than 20 mg, not less 30 mg, not less than 50 mg, or not less than 80 mg per 100 g. Furthermore, in the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish of the above (1), (2), (5), (6), (9), and (10), the pyloric appendage relative weight and vitamin E content described above may be combined.

[0041]

Edible Parts and Food Products

An embodiment of the present invention includes the edible part of a farmed tuna species that is an edible part of a tuna species containing not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g. In other words, the edible part of this farmed tuna species may be an edible part of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish described above. Because the edible parts of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish contain vitamin E in a much higher concentration than the edible parts of known tuna species in the related art, it is expected that their economic value will be high and they will exhibit the efficacy of vitamin E when supplied as food products.

[0042]

In the present specification, an “edible part” may be, for example, fish meat, guts, eyeballs, skin, brain, and blood as long as it is a location of a fish body that can be supplied as a food product. In the case of tissues and organs, it may be the entire tissue or organ of a portion thereof. For example, in the case of the liver, the edible part may be the entire liver or a portion thereof.

[0043]

The edible part may be fish meat or may be guts or eyeballs.

Fish meat as an edible part is muscle, and is generally a portion that is eaten uncooked (raw) or cooked. Examples of fish meat include the above-described lean meat, fatty meat, and red muscle, but lean meat or fatty meat is preferred.

[0044]

Examples of guts as edible parts include the liver, pyloric appendage, stomach, esophagus, intestine, gonads (testes or ovaries), spleen, heart, and swim bladder. These guts generally can be eaten cooked. The muscles surrounding the eyeball may also be attached to the eyeball as an edible part. [0045]

Since the edible parts of the farmed tuna species in the present embodiment are edible parts of a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish as described above, for the vitamin E content in the fish meat, liver, pyloric appendage, and eyeballs as edible parts described above, the items regarding vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are applied without modification. For the other locations as edible parts, the items regarding vitamin E content described above in relation to vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are applied within the allowable ranges. For example, the vitamin E content in the other locations as edible parts may be not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, not less than 20 mg, not less 30 mg, not less than 50 mg, not less than 80 mg, not less than 100 mg, or not less than 150 mg per 100 g.

[0046]

The locations surrounding the fish meat, guts or eyeballs may also be attached to the edible parts of the farmed tuna species. For example, leftover parts are also included in the “edible parts” in the present specification. “Leftover parts” generally means the head section, bones, gills, fins, or a combination of two of more thereof and the flesh and skin attached thereto remaining after the meat has been removed from a fish. In the case of leftover parts, the portions remaining after the bones contained in the leftover parts have been removed may contain vitamin E to result in a content of not less than 2 mg, not less than 5 mg, not less than 8 mg, not less than 10 mg, not less than 15 mg, or not less than 20 mg per 100 g.

[0047]

The edible parts of the farmed tuna species are preferably used as food, for example, the cooked food products and uncooked food products mentioned below, and may also be used as animal feed. The foods and animal feeds according to an embodiment may contain edible parts of the farmed tuna species. In an embodiment, food or animal feed that resists denaturation and has little oxidized flavor due to the antioxidant power of vitamin E can be provided. Because the food and animal feed according to an embodiment contain vitamin

E in a much higher concentration than the edible parts of known tuna species in the related art, it is expected that their economic value will be high and they will exhibit the efficacy of vitamin E when supplied as food products. Examples of animal feed include cat food, dog food, and feed for fish farming. The animal feed may be held in a container described below. Examples of food products include uncooked food products, and cooked food products.

[0048]

An embodiment includes uncooked food products of edible parts of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish and uncooked food products including a container that holds the edible parts. “Uncooked product” means an edible part that has not been cooked by heat. Examples include minced fish meat, raw fish, block fish, sliced fish, and frozen, chilled, freeze-dried, dried, and pickled products thereof. Whether a product has been cooked by heat can be determined by the color of the surface of the edible part. In the present specification, “cooked” means that heat has been applied until actomyosin is denatured to a visible degree. When an edible part of a farmed fish is heat-treated, the edible part changes color due to denaturation of actomyosin. Thus, heating can be judged based on the change in color of the edible part.

[0049]

An embodiment includes cooked products of edible parts of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish and cooked food products including a container holding the cooked product. “Cooked product” means an edible part that has been cooked by heat. Examples include boiled, grilled, steamed and deep-fried fish products and boiled fish paste products.

[0050]

The shape of the cooked product and uncooked product is not particularly limited, and may be a shape that is characteristic of the location of the edible part or an amorphous product obtained by shredding, and the product may be further formed into a specific shape.

As necessary, cooked food products and uncooked food products may include at least one selected from the group consisting of other food products, food ingredients, and accessories. Examples of other food products include rice, garnish (white radish, seaweed, and the like), and ginger (pickled ginger). Examples of food ingredients include green onions used for a topping of tuna minced with green onions. Examples of accessories include plastic separators, displays (labels), refrigerants, coolants, ice, dry ice, and shaved ice. An accessory may be held inside a container together with the edible part or may be placed outside the container, and it may be inseparable or detachable from the container. One or two or more other food products, food ingredients and accessories may be combined.

[0051]

The container may be anything used for holding edible parts, and examples of materials include styrofoam, paper, vinyl, soft plastic, hard plastic, metal, and glass. The shape of the container may be any that can hold edible parts, and examples include wrapping sheets, covered or uncovered trays, bags, and cans.

[0052]

The above-described vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, edible parts of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and vitamin E-enriched farmed fish for uncooked products and cooked products of edible parts may be those obtained by any method. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are preferably vitamin E-enriched farmed fish produced by the following breeding method.

[0053]

Breeding Method

The breeding method in an embodiment of the present invention includes feeding for at least 60 continuous days with a blended feed including an inner filling containing fish meal and oil and fat, and an outer shell encapsulating the inner filling, the outer shell being at least one heat-induced gel selected from the group consisting of proteins and polysaccharides, wherein the vitamin E content in the inner filling is not less than 500 ppm relative to the entire feed. The method may also include other steps as necessary.

In this breeding method, vitamin E-enriched farmed fish enriched with vitamin E can be efficiently obtained because a tuna species is fed for at least 60 continuous days with a blended feed having a two-layered structure including a specified inner filling containing vitamin E and a specified outer shell. From this perspective, in the present specification, “method for breeding vitamin E-enriched farmed fish” is synonymous with “method for producing vitamin E-enriched farmed fish,” and the two terms can be used interchangeably.

[0054]

The blended feed used in the breeding method of this aspect has a two-layered structure including an outer shell and an inner filling containing vitamin E. In the present specification, this blended feed used in the breeding method of the present aspect may also be called “vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed”.

The inner filling of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed includes fish meal and oil and fat as main ingredients and contains a prescribed amount of vitamin E. Furthermore, nutrient ingredients other than vitamin E that are known as nutrient ingredients for fish farming may also be added. Examples of other nutrient ingredients include minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C.

[0055]

Examples of vitamin E contained in the inner filling include tocopherol and tocotrienol and derivatives thereof. Examples of tocopherol and derivatives thereof include a-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, and carboxylate esters thereof such as α-tocopherol acetate, α-tocopherol nicotinate, α-tocopherol linoleate, and α-tocopherol succinate. A mixture of the above, that is, mixed tocopherol, may be used as the tocopherol. Examples of tocotrienol and derivatives thereof include a-tocotrienol, β-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol, δ-tocotrienol, and acetate esters thereof.

[0056]

The vitamin E content is preferably not less than 500 ppm, more preferably not less than 550 ppm, and even more preferably not less than 600 ppm, of the total weight of blended feed. No particular limitation is placed on the upper limit of vitamin E content, and for example, it may be not greater than 20 wt.% of the total weight of blended feed.

[0057]

Polysaccharides, hydrogenated oils and the like may be blended in the inner filling, and the inner filling may be emulsified and stabilized. This can prevent leakage of fish meal or oil and fat in the liquid state. When producing the blended feed on machinery, it is preferred that the flowability and physical properties of the inner filling be compatible with the machinery. Examples of oil and fat adsorption agents include Oil Q (available from Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ltd.), and examples of hydrogenated oils include Unishort K (available from Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.) and New Fujipro SEH (available from Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.).

[0058]

Furthermore, raw materials used in known blended feeds for farmed fish can be added to the inner filling. Examples include proteins such as live fish, squid meal, krill meal, soy bean lees, and corn gluten meal, oils and fats such as krill oil, whale oil, soy bean oil, corn oil, rape seed oil, and hydrogenated oils, starch-based materials such as starches, wheat flour, rice flour, tapioca powder, and corn powder, alginic acid and salts thereof, polysaccharides such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar gum, dextrins, chitosan, curdlan, pectin, carrageenan, mannan, gellan gum, gum arabic, and edible water-soluble celluloses, and vitamins, minerals.

[0059]

The inner filling may be blended to contain from 20 to 70 wt.% of fats and oils relative to the total weight of the inner filling and, particularly in cases where the feed is fed to large farmed fish, to contain preferably not less than 30 wt.%, more preferably not less than 35 wt.%, and most preferably not less than 45 wt.% of oil and fat. A high oil and fat content enables excellent effects on farmed fish growth and growth efficiency, and when the content of oil and fat is not greater than 70 wt.%, selecting and blending other preferred components is easy. Fish oils and other plant-based oils may be used without modification. Alternatively, the fluidity is preferably reduced by using oil-absorbing polysaccharides such as Vitacel WF200, Vitacel WF600, or Vitacel WF600/30 (all available from J. Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co KG), Oil Q No. 50 or Oil Q-S (available from Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ltd.), or dextrins such as Pine Flow (available from Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), oil-absorbing proteins such as fermented soy beans and isoflavones, or hydrogenated oils obtained by hydrogenating oils and fats such as soy bean oil, rape seed oil, or palm oil. Fish oil may also be used after reducing flowability by emulsification. From the perspective of digestibility by fish, the content of these components that reduce fluidity is preferably not greater than 10 wt.%, and more preferably not greater than 5 wt.%, of the total weight of the inner filling. Fish oils are most preferred as the oil and fat. Part of the fish oils can be replaced with other plant-based oils and fats.

[0060]

As the essential components of the inner filling, a variety of fish meals or a powder of crustaceans such as krill commonly used as raw materials for feeds for fish farming may be utilized. This fish meal content is from 30 to 70 wt.%, preferably not less than 30 wt.%, more preferably not less than 35 wt.%, and most preferably not less than 45 wt.%, of the total weight of the inner filling. From the perspective of maintaining shape, it is preferable to add an excipient having binding properties, such as a polysaccharide, a hydrogenated oil, or an emulsifier, to the inner filling.

[0061]

The outer shell of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed is a heat-induced gel obtained from at least one raw material selected from the group consisting of proteins and polysaccharides. A raw material containing a protein raw material and/or a polysaccharide raw material that forms a gel when heated (called “outer shell composition” hereinafter) is used. The outer shell composition forms a gel when heated, and exhibits certain resiliency, extensibility, and adhesiveness. The inner filling can be reliably encapsulated by using such a heat-induced gel.

Gel formed by heating means gel formed by heating at least one raw material selected from the group consisting of proteins and polysaccharides to not lower than 60°C, or by heating to not lower than 60°C and then cooling, and gel formed by gelatinization by adding moisture to a polysaccharide such as a starch and heating the mixture to not lower than 60°C.

[0062]

The outer shell is not particularly limited as long as it envelops the inner filling. As the protein used for the outer shell, a protein having gel-forming properties is preferred, such as fish meat, minced fish meat, krill, gluten, collagen, soy bean protein, enzymatically decomposed soy bean protein, gelatin or egg albumen, either alone or in a combination of two or more types. Proteins also include alginic acid and salts thereof. Examples of polysaccharides include starches, alginic acid and salts thereof, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), guar gum, dextrins, chitosan, curdlan, pectin, carrageenan, mannan, gellan gum, gum arabic, and edible water-soluble celluloses.

As starches used in the outer shell, tapioca starch, wheat starch, potato starch, corn starch, bean starch, waxy corn starch, and processed products thereof are preferred. Food ingredients that contain large quantities of these proteins and/or starches may be used. By heating an outer shell having a composition that contains these proteins and/or starches, the gel is immobilized and has softness, and the inner layer composition has holding power and a certain degree of strength. Above all, a gel formed by heating a protein or a gel formed by heating a starch is preferred from the perspective of physical properties such as softness and extensibility.

[0063]

For example, in the case where minced fish meat is used as a raw material, it can be produced using a general method for producing a fish paste product such as kamaboko (semi-cylindrical processed fish paste). Specifically, 2 wt.% or greater of common salt is added and this is left to stand for not less than 10 minutes at a temperature of not lower than 10°C, preferably from 30°C to 40°C, and then heated for not less than 10 minutes at a temperature of 80°C to 90°C. In the case where egg albumen is used, egg albumen, starch, fish meal, and water are blended at a weight ratio of, for example, 1:1:2:6 and then heated, thereby producing a composition having the desired physical properties.

[0064]

Various secondary raw materials may also be added to the outer shell composition within a range that does not affect gel formation.

Fish meal or oils and fats may also be added to the outer shell composition within a range that does not affect gelatinization of the outer shell. Although it depends on the type of gel used, in the case of fish meal, the outer shell may contain up to approximately 60 wt.% of fish meal, and in the case of oil and fat, the outer shell may contain up to 30 wt.% of oil and fat relative to the total weight of the outer shell composition. When the outer shell contains both fish meal and oil and fat, the outer shell preferably contains from 20 to 30 wt.% of fish meal and from 5 to 10 wt.% of oil and fat relative to the total weight of the outer shell composition.

[0065]

To further improve the quality of the gel in the outer shell, it is possible to add additives that are used as quality improving agents to fish paste products and the like to the outer shell composition. Examples of additives include starches, polysaccharide thickeners, soy protein isolates, baking soda, polyphosphates, egg albumen, transglutaminases, and various protease inhibitors. In particular, to enhance the strength of the gel of the outer shell, a thickening agent such as agar, gellan gum, pullulan, a starch, mannan, carrageenan, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, curdlan, pectin, alginic acid or a salt thereof, gum arabic, chitosan, a dextrin, or edible water-soluble celluloses can be blended in the gel as appropriate.

[0066]

As another preferred aspect of the outer shell, a heat-induced gel containing a starch as a primary component has excellent resiliency and softness. A gel obtained by adding water to a starch, kneading, and then heating exhibits good resiliency, softness, and extensibility. In particular, various processed starches have individual characteristics and by using two or more types thereof, it is possible to obtain an outer shell having good properties such as resiliency, softness, and extensibility. For example, it is possible to combine different types of processed starches, such as a combination of an etherified starch and a phosphoric acid-crosslinked starch.

An even stronger gel can be obtained by adding a protein such as gluten or soy bean protein to a starch. For example, gluten-containing wheat flour can also used instead of gluten. Other secondary raw materials that can be added include cereal flours such as wheat flour; proteins such as soy bean protein, gluten, or egg albumen; sugars and sugar alcohols such as table sugar or starch syrup; thickening agents such as carrageenan, agar, gellan gum, pullulan, mannan, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, curdlan, pectin, alginic acid or a salt thereof, gum arabic, chitosan, dextrins, or edible water-soluble celluloses; and salts such as phosphates. For example, it is possible to impart strength to the outer shell by adding wheat flour to a starch. In addition, it is possible to suppress surface stickiness following heating by adding a certain quantity of a protein.

[0067]

The starch used in the outer shell is not particularly limited, but can be tapioca starch, wheat starch, potato starch, corn starch, bean starch, and the like, and processed starches obtained by subjecting these starches to etherification, acetylation, acetyl crosslinking, ether crosslinking, phosphoric acid-crosslinking or alphatized hydroxypropylphosphoric acid-crosslinking are particularly preferred. Above all, the outer shell of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed contains a combination of tapioca starch acetate and etherified tapioca starch. Such a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed is preferred from the perspective of controlling surface stickiness and ease of consumption of the feed. Tapioca starch acetate and etherified tapioca starch may be combined in a weight ratio of, for example, from 1:1 to 1:20, preferably from 1:2 to 1:15, and more preferably from 1:8 to 1:12.

[0068]

The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed may be produced by adding water to an outer shell composition, including starch serving as the raw material of the outer shell and other secondary raw materials such as proteins, and then mixing and kneading, filling with the inner filling using a filling-wrapping machine or the like, and then heating.

[0069]

Preferably, the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed may be produced by a method including feeding the outer shell composition and the inner filling to a double nozzle extruder, and while mixing and heat-treating the outer shell composition, extrusion-forming them in a form such that the inner filling is enveloped by the outer shell. Other processes may also be included as necessary.

For example, the the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed may be produced by simultaneously heating the outer shell composition by extrusion cooking and coating the inner filling with the outer shell using an extruder provided with a double nozzle, and then cutting the cylindrical extrudate to a fixed length using a rising and descending shutter mechanism in accordance with the speed at which the extrudate is extruded, and wrapping the cut surface with the outer shell.

[0070]

Equipment that has a double nozzle and is advantageous for obtaining this blended feed with a two-layered structure may be a single screw or twin screw machine, and may have an extrusion mechanism and a heating mechanism. A device advantageous for obtaining a blended feed having a two-layered structure is preferably an intermeshed co-rotation twin screw extruder. When such a device is used, there is the advantage that sufficient kneading can be performed in a short time. Examples of such a device include those available from Buhler AG, for example, the device disclosed in WO 2013/061892.

[0071]

This device has an extruder with a heating function to which an outer shell composition feeder device is connected. A nozzle that pumps the inner filling into the center of the outer shell composition is disposed near the outlet of the extruder. An inner filling feeder device is connected to this nozzle. A conveyor is provided adjacent to the extruder, and a shutter mechanism is disposed at the end of the run of the conveyor. The outer shell composition feeder device mixes the outer shell composition and feeds it to the extruder using a pump. An inner filling feeder device pumps a separately mixed and produced inner filling to the extruder outlet from a nozzle. After being kneaded within the extruder, the outer shell composition is heated to form a heat-induced gel. The outer shell is extruded from the outlet in a cylindrical shape, the interior thereof is filled with the inner filling injected from the nozzle, and the extruded product is discharged in a two-layered cylindrical shape. The discharged two-layered cylindrical product is carried by a conveyor and inserted vertically downwards into the shutter mechanism. The product is sealed and cut to a fixed length by the shutter mechanism to form a two-layered shaped product.

[0072]

Mixing in the extruder may be performed at a screw rotation speed of 300 to 800 rpm, preferably 350 to 700 rpm. The heating temperature may be not lower than the temperature at which the starch or added protein forms a gel, and the product temperature may be from 60 to 110°C, preferably from 70 to 100°C, and more preferably from approximately 80 to 95°C. The discharge temperature may be from 80 to 110°C, and preferably from 85 to 105°C. The outlet pressure may be from 2 to 10 MPa, and preferably from 4 to 8 MPa.

[0073]

The weight ratio of inner filling to outer shell composition may be from 4:6 to 9:1, and is preferably from 5:5 to 8:2. Combining the inner filling and outer shell composition in such a weight ratio is preferred from the perspective of resiliency of the obtained vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed, strength of the outer shell, and the like.

[0074]

The water activity may be adjusted in consideration of the storage properties of the blended feed. The water activity can be adjusted by adjusting the composition of the inner filling and/or outer shell. For example, the water activity of the inner filling can be reduced by adjusting the quantity of water added thereto. The water activity of the composition can be adjusted by adding a water activity-adjusting agent, such as a salt (common salt, sodium malate, sodium lactate, and the like), a sugar (table sugar, lactose, maltose, sorbitol, and the like), a sugar alcohol, an amino acid, a nucleic acid related compound, an organic acid, an alcohol, propylene glycose, glycerin, a starch, or a protein. [0075]

The quantity of water added to the outer shell composition may be a quantity that can be handled by the filling-wrapping machine or extruder, and from approximately 30 to 50 wt.% is appropriate. The moisture content of the outer shell, which wraps the inner filling with a heat-induced gel of a starch, may be from approximately 25 to 50 wt.%. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed can be stored long-term under refrigeration or freezing. It is also possible to further dry this feed to reduce the moisture content to 10 to 20 wt.%. Storage properties can be further improved in this case. By drying the outer shell and also adding additives to the outer shell composition so as to reduce water activity, it is possible to produce a feed that can be stored long-term at room temperature. The water content of the outer shell of the blended feed is preferably from 10 to 20 wt.%, and the water activity is not greater than 0.8, and particularly preferably not greater than 0.75% or not greater than 0.7%, from the perspective of long-term preservation. In the present specification, the water content is a value measured by the normal temperature drying method, and the water activity is a value measured by a water activity measurement device.

[0076]

Various patterns can be considered for blending the outer shell composition containing, for example, a starch in the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed. In the case of a feed, the nutrients and calories required for the feed differ according to the species and growth stage of the fish. As the quantity of fish meal or fish oil increases, the outer shell needs to be precisely formulated, but in the cases where the quantity of fish meal or fish oil is low, the outer shell can be formulated more freely. The vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed preferably contains at least from 20 to 80 wt.% of starch in terms of dry product relative to the total weight of the outer shell. In the case of an outer shell containing 25 to 50 wt.% (in terms of dry product) of fish meal, it is preferable to add, in terms of dry product, from 20 to 65 wt.% of starch, from 5 to 20 wt.% of wheat flour, and a total of 5 to 15 wt.% of proteins, oils and fats, thickening agents, salts, and the like. In the case of an outer shell containing fish oil, it is preferable to add from approximately 1 to 5 wt.% of fish oil, from 1 to 2 wt.% of phosphate salts, from 1 to 5 wt.% of proteins, and from 1 to 5 wt.% of thickening agents.

When used as a secondary raw material, wheat flour is preferably strong flour having a high gluten content, but may also be weak flour. Additives used as quality improving agents in starch-based foods may be added to further improve the quality of the outer shell.

[0077]

The method for producing the blended feed may include drying a two-layered structure blended feed obtained by cutting with a shutter mechanism.

The drying means is not particularly limited as long as it can dry the blended feed. Drying conditions may be set such that the moisture content of the outer shell of the feed reaches the moisture content described above.

[0078]

The drying conditions are preferably determined such that the moisture content of the outer shell gently reaches from 10 to 20 wt.%. When gentle drying conditions are used, the moisture content of the outer shell drops during the drying process. On the other hand, the moisture content of the inner filling tends to be higher than the moisture content immediately after the cutting process due to migration of moisture from the outer shell. As a result, a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed having good physical properties aligned with palatability to farmed fish can be obtained. Gentle drying conditions may be set as appropriate based on relative humidity, for example, in the range of 20°C to 45°C for 6 to 48 hours in a range of 20% to 50% relative humidity. The drying means that can be used may be any that can achieve such gentle drying conditions. Examples include drying the blended feed by loading it onto a mesh conveyor or a mesh container or sheet.

[0079]

The method for breeding farmed tuna species according to an embodiment of the present invention includes feeding tuna species for at least 60 continuous days with the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed described above. By breeding with the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed for at least 60 days, vitamin E can be well accumulated in the fish bodies of the tuna species that is the target of breeding. Furthermore, a healthy state can be maintained throughout the breeding period by the action of the accumulated vitamin E. The fact that it is a farmed fish under controlled breeding can be ascertained by checking for special components that can remain in the fish body that are not contained in live feed, such as vegetable oils and the like, among the ingredients of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed fed to the farmed fish during the breeding period.

[0080]

The breeding period using vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed may be a longer period, for example, not less than 3 months, not less than 6 months, or not less than 1 year. In this case, vitamin E-enriched farmed fish that can stably accumulate vitamin E and that have good physical characteristics can be reliably produced. Furthermore, a good state of health can be maintained for a longer period by breeding over a longer period using vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed.

[0081]

For breeding conditions, the conditions typically used for breeding tuna species can generally be used without modification. For example, the water temperature during the rearing period may be from 10°C to 32°C, and fish may be fed until satiated once per day at normal times and once every two days during winter.

[0082]

During the breeding period, there may be a period where other feed is fed to the farmed fish, as long as they are fed with the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed for at least 60 consecutive days. Examples of other feed include live feed (horse mackerel, mackerel, and the like), and moist pellets.

[0083]

Breeding may begin from individual fish having a total fish body weight of 200 g, and may begin from individual fish having a total fish body weight of 500 g, 1 kg, or 10 kg. A healthy state can be maintained up to a targeted time as the fish grow by starting breeding at such a time. Furthermore, vitamin E that meets the requirements of the individual fish can be supplied by breeding for such a time period.

[0084]

The breeding period may be any period from the start of breeding to the targeted end time such as shipment or spawning. For example, the breeding period may be the period immediately before shipment. In this case, vitamin E-enriched farmed fish and the edible parts thereof in which vitamin E has stably accumulated can be supplied.

[0085]

As long as the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish have the characteristics described in the present specification, they may be produced by a method other than the breeding method described above. For example, they may be produced by providing feed that uses fish enriched with vitamin E.

[0086]

Method for producing edible parts

The method for producing edible parts according to an embodiment of the present invention includes providing a farmed tuna species bred by a breeding method in the embodiment described above and collecting the edible parts from the provided farmed tuna species. The method may also include other steps as necessary.

In this method for producing edible parts, since edible parts are collected from farmed tuna species bred by a breeding method in the embodiment described above, edible parts that contain more vitamin E than the edible parts of conventional tuna species can be efficiently obtained.

[0087]

The farmed tuna species may be individual fish or may be fish of the processed morphologies described above. The method of collecting the edible parts is not particularly limited. The edible parts may be collected by methods typically used by persons skilled in the art using tools typically used for cutting the targeted edible parts from individual fish or portions thereof.

[0088]

Applications

Since vitamin E-enriched farmed fish and the edible parts thereof have accumulated vitamin E in high concentrations, they can be used in applications as food products enriched with vitamin E. Since cooked food products and uncooked food products that contain edible parts of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish include cooked products or uncooked products of edible parts of tuna species enriched with vitamin E, they are preferred as food products enriched with vitamin E. Furthermore, they are expected to be good-quality food products with little so-called burnt tuna syndrome due to the antioxidant power of vitamin E.

Since the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish and edible parts thereof have been enriched with vitamin E, they can also be used as feeds for livestock such as cows, pigs, and fowl and for animal feeds such as pet foods.

[0089]

Because the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are reared for a fixed period using vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed containing vitamin E, they are expected to have good health status, such as being strong against stress and resistant to disease, due to the antioxidant action of vitamin E throughout the rearing period. As a result, the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish are expected to be farmed fish exhibiting good growth characteristics.

Examples [0090]

The present invention is described below in detail using examples. However, the present invention is not limited in any manner by these examples. [0091]

Example 1 (1) Production of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed to 40 wt.% of fish meal, 17 to 23 wt.% of starch (etherified tapioca starch: hydroxypropyl starch, Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ttd., G-800), 7 wt.% of wheat flour, 2 wt.% of starch (tapioca starch acetate: Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ttd., Z-300), 2 wt.% of fish oil, 3 wt.% of common salt, 2.5 wt.% of sugar, 1 wt.% of gluten, and the balance water were mixed using an extruder at a screw rotation rate of 450 rpm, a discharge temperature of 90°C, and an outlet pressure of 50 bar (5 MPa), to produce an outer shell composition.

Then, 59 wt.% of fish meal, 36 wt.% of fish oil, 1.965 wt.% of hydrogenated oil, 2 wt.% of vitamins, 1 wt.% of minerals, and 0.035 wt.% of α-tocopherol were mixed using an extruder at 60°C, to produce an inner filling. As the vitamins, those containing 3.03 wt.% of vitamin E in terms of α-tocopherol were used.

[0092]

To produce a vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed by combining the outer shell composition and the inner filling, a fully intermeshed co-rotation twin screw extruder having a double nozzle at the tip and having a discharge capacity of 1 t/h (available from Buhler AG) was used.

Both the outer shell composition and the inner filling were granulated from the double nozzle at the tip of the extruder, and vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed in which the inner filling was enveloped with the outer shell was obtained using a shutter device. The inner shell:outer shell weight ratio was 65:35. The α-tocopherol content in the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed was 621 ppm.

Then, immediately after formation of the feed, the blended feed was placed on a conveyor and drying treatment was performed for 24 hours by natural drying in an environment at temperature of 30°C to 40°C and relative humidity of 20% to 50%. A good blended feed with substantially no cracking and the like was obtained through this process.

The moisture content of the outer shell of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed was 12% to 17%, and the water activity was less than 0.8. The moisture content of the inner filling was estimated at approximately 4.7% immediately after formation. The moisture content was measured using Drying Oven DX300 (available from Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd.), and water activity was measured using Aqualab CX-3 (available from Milestone General K.K.). [0093] (2) Rearing

Pacific bluefin tuna was reared using the produced vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed.

Approximately 3000 tuna fish weighing approximately 16 kg and measuring approximately 50 cm in body length were held in a sea-level oval cylindrical fish cage of diameter 70 m, and breeding was started. The water temperature during the rearing period was from 13°C to 29°C. The produced vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed was fed to the fish until satiated once per day at normal times and once every two days during winter. The amount of feed consumed was from 30 to 50 wt.% relative to the amount of live feed throughout the test period. Breeding was started in March and performed for not less than one year, and the α-tocopherol content, weight, pyloric appendage relative weight and body mass index were measured or calculated for each location after prescribed periods. Furthermore, the vitamin E content of the liver was the value measured after 15 months and after 17 months, and the vitamin E content of other tissues was the value measured in the fish body after a breeding period of 15 months. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0094]

The α-tocopherol quantity and the total tocopherol quantity were measured by HPLC after alkali saponification. Total tocopherol quantity means the total quantity of a-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and 6-tocopherol.

The measurement locations of the tuna were the central dorsal deep part (lean meat), central dorsal shallow part (medium fatty meat), central dorsal carinal muscle, red muscle, eyeball, liver, and pyloric appendage. Collection and preparation of each of the samples were performed as follows.

[0095]

FIG. 1 illustrates the collected parts of the central dorsal deep part (FIG 1, location A), the central dorsal shallow part (FIG 1, location B), the central dorsal carinal muscle (FIG 1, location C), and the red muscle (FIG 1, location D). Furthermore, in FIG 1, E indicates the peritoneal cavity.

Using the “skin” near the body surface of the dorsal muscle upper ordinary muscle, the dorsal loin was cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the backbone from the first dorsal fin posterior terminal part. Then, samples of the central dorsal deep part (lean meat), central dorsal shallow part (medium fatty meat), central dorsal carinal muscle, and red muscle were collected from the cut surface on the head side when divided into a head side and a tail side.

[0096]

For the eyeballs, the right and left eyeballs and optic nerves were extracted, thinly sliced, and used as samples.

For the liver, the entire liver removed as guts when caught was thinly sliced and used as samples.

For the pyloric appendage, only the pyloric appendage was removed from the guts removed when caught, and its entirely was thinly sliced and used as samples.

[0097] [Table 1]

Breeding period (mos.)	Fish body weight (kg)	Body mass index	Pyloric appendage relative weight (%)
13	43.7	21.8	3.8
14	47.7	21.2	2.5
16	60.6	21.8	2.9
13	31.7	19.9	2.9
15	35.3	22.1	4.2
19	43.2	25.1	3.8
21	51.0	24.0	3.3

[0098] [Table 2]

	Vitamin E (mg/100 g)
a-Tocopherol	Tocopherol
Fish meat	Central dorsal deep part (lean meat)	7.2	-
Central dorsal shallow part (medium fatty meat)	14.0	-
Central dorsal carinal muscle	32.5	-
Red muscle	14.6	-
Eyeball	27.1	-
Liver (15 mos.)	183.0	184.3
Liver (17 mos.)	107.0	107.9
Pyloric appendage	89.8	91.5

[0099]

Table 1 shows that in tuna fed with the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed, the total fish body weight, which was approximately 16 kg at the start of the test, increased to approximately 60 kg after approximately 15 months. The fish body weight and body mass index were substantially the same as tuna reared using live feed. While the pyloric appendage relative weight of natural tuna is approximately 1.4%, that of tuna fed with the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed greatly exceeded the pyloric appendage relative weight of natural tuna. This demonstrates that tuna fed with the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed are advantageous in nutrient absorption as well.

[0100]

On the other hand, Table 2 shows that, in tuna reared using the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed, the vitamin E content exceeded 2 mg per 100 g and vitamin E was accumulated in high concentration in all tissues of fish meat, eyeball, liver, and pyloric appendage. It was unexpected that tuna tissues would exhibit a high accumulated quantity of not less than 2 mg per 100 g through breeding using the feed enriched with vitamin E in this manner, and this was not observed with other fat-soluble vitamins such as retinol.

[0101]

As shown in Table 2, the accumulated quantity of vitamin E in tuna reared using the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed, that is, vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, differed by tissue. In the fish meat, it was found that a large amount of vitamin E accumulated in the medium fatty meat, red muscle, and central ventral carinal muscle, and that a larger amount of vitamin E accumulated in the eyeballs, liver, and pyloric appendage than in the fish meat. The trend in vitamin E accumulation did not necessarily correlate with lipid content. It was also unexpected that the accumulated quantity of vitamin E differed per tissue in the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish and that accumulation was greater in the eyeballs, liver, and pyloric appendage than in the muscles in this manner. Vitamin E has a peroxidized lipid increase preventing action, a retina metabolic disorder improving action, and a peripheral blood vessel circulation promoting action. Thus, high accumulation of vitamin E in the eyeballs results in a tendency not to have eyestrain and can improve feeding capability, and is also expected to decrease death of tuna due to collision in the breeding environment.

[0102]

The vitamin E content, which was 19.8 mg/100 g in muscle (medium fatty meat) at month 14 after the start of rearing, decreased to 2.2 mg/100 g after switching to live feed for 30 days, but it did not drop below 2.0 mg/100 g. When live feed was provided for 30 days only within the breeding period, high accumulation of α-tocopherol was not observed. The result reveled that breeding using vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed for a certain long period is necessary for accumulation of vitamin E.

When the lean meat and fatty meat (medium fatty meat) used in measurement were eaten as sashimi, they were delicious.

[0103]

These facts suggest that growth when using vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed is expected to be of the same degree as when live feed is used, and that pyloric appendage relative weight is high and nutrient absorption is high. Additionally, it is expected that immune activity will be high and vision will be good in this tuna because vitamin E accumulates at high concentration in the tissues and accumulation was observed particularly in the eyeballs.

Fish meat, guts such as the liver, and eyeballs and the like having a high vitamin E content can be collected as edible parts from such vitamin E-enriched farmed fish, and can be provided as cooked or uncooked products. Due to the actions of vitamin E, the edible parts of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish have high economic value as delicious food products having good storage properties and high nutritional value.

[0104]

Example 2 (1) Production of vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed wt.% of fish meal, 16 wt.% of starch (etherified tapioca starch: hydroxypropyl starch, Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ltd., G-800), 2 wt.% of wheat flour, 2 wt.% of starch (waxy corn starch: Nippon Starch Chemical Co., Ltd., Delica SE), 2 wt.% of starch (tapioca phosphoric acid-crosslinked alphatized starch: Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Pine Gold VE), 2 wt.% of carboxymethyl cellulose, 3 wt.% of protein (powdered soybean protein: Fuji Oil Co., Ltd., New Fujipro SEH), 2 wt.% of fish oil, 3 wt.% of common salt, 3 wt.% of starch syrup, 2 wt.% of gluten, 0.5 wt.% of phosphates and the balance water were mixed under the same conditions as Example 1, to produce an outer shell composition.

Each of the following ingredients was mixed in the inner filling under the same conditions as Example 1, to produce inner filling 2-1 and inner filling 2-2. As the vitamins, those containing 3.03 wt.% of vitamin E in terms of α-tocopherol were used.

[0105]

Inner filling 2-1:

56.211 wt.% of fish meal, 38 wt.% of fish oil, 2.7 wt.% of vitamins, 1 wt.% of hydrogenated oil, 2 wt.% of minerals, 0.05 wt.% of α-tocopherol, 0.015 wt.% of CoQlO, 0.024 wt.% of anhydrous calcium iodate.

Inner filling 2-2:

56.25 wt.% of fish meal, 38 wt.% of fish oil, 2.7 wt.% of vitamins, 1 wt.% of hydrogenated oil, 2 wt.% of minerals, 0.05 wt.% of a-tocopherol.

[0106]

The above outer shell composition and inner filling 2-1 or inner filling 2-2 were combined, and vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feeds 2-1 and 2-2 in which the inner filling was enveloped with the outer shell were respectively obtained under the same conditions as Example 1. The inner shelhouter shell weight ratio was 65:35. The α-tocopherol content in the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed was 830 ppm in vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed 2-1, and 920 ppm in vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed 2-2.

[0107]

Then, immediately after formation of the blended feed, the blended feed was placed on a conveyor, and drying treatment was performed for 24 hours by natural drying under the same conditions as Example 1, specifically, temperature of 30°C to 40°C and relative humidity of 20% to 50%. A good blended feed with substantially no cracking and the like was obtained through this process.

The moisture content of the outer shell of the vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feed was 12% to 17%, and the water activity was less than 0.8. The moisture content of the inner filling was estimated at approximately 4.7% immediately after formation. Moisture content was measured using Drying Over DX300 (available from Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd.), and water activity was measured using Aqualab CX-3 (available from Milestone General K.K.).

[0108] (2) Rearing

Pacific bluefin tuna was reared using the produced vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feeds 2-1 and 2-2.

Approximately 200 tuna fish weighing approximately 15 kg and measuring approximately 90 cm in body length were held in a sea-level oval cylindrical fish cage of diameter 15 m, and breeding was started. The water temperature during the rearing period was from 13°C to 29°C. The produced vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feeds 2-1 and 2-2, were fed to the fish until satiated once per day at normal times and once every two days during winter. The amount of feed consumed was from 30 to 50 wt.% relative to the amount of live feed throughout the test period. Breeding was started in May and performed for not less than one year. After a prescribed period, the a-tocopherol content, weight, and body mass index of the central dorsal ordinary muscle shallow part (medium fatty meat) were measured or calculated. The α-tocopherol content was measured by the same method as Example 1. Collection and preparation of samples was performed by the same method as Example 1.

The protein content in the central dorsal ordinary muscle shallow part (medium fatty meat) was measured by the Kjeldahl method, and the lipid content was measured by the Soxhlet extraction method.

The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.

[0109] [Table 3]

Blended feed	6 mos.
Fish body weight (kg)	Body mass index	Central dorsal ordinary muscle shallow part (medium fatty meat)
Proteins (%)	Lipids (%)	Vitamin E (mg/100 g)
2-1	20.2	19.0	24.0	2.6	14.3
2-2	18.7	20.5	22.5	14.0	8.3

[0110] [Table 4]

Blended feed	8 mos.
Fish body weight (kg)	Body mass index	Central dorsal ordinary muscle shallow part (medium fatty meat)
Proteins (%)	Lipids (%)	Vitamin E (mg/100 g)
2-1	19.2	17.5	25.5	3.1	2.6
2-2	14.0	16.4	24.2	0.6	3.4

[01Π]

As shown in Tables 3 and 4, the accumulated quantity of vitamin E in the dorsal ordinary muscle shallow part (medium fatty meat) of other vitamin E-enriched farmed fish reared using vitamin E-enriched farmed fish rearing feeds 2-1 and 2-2 was greater than 2 mg per 100 g after rearing for six months and eight months.

In the present example, typhoons, red tide, and the like occurred during a period of six months from the start of breeding, and low water temperature not above 18°C occurred in the period from month 6 to month 8. Therefore, feeding was restricted (once every three to four days). However, tuna with high accumulated quantities of vitamin E were obtained. The survival percentage of this tuna was not less than 95%.

[0112]

2016305897 06 Mar 2019

Disclosure of JP 2015-157457 filed on August 7, 2015 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

All documents, patent applications, and technical specifications stated in the present specification are incorporated by citation in the present specification to the same degree as if stated to be incorporated by reference specifically and individually.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A farmed tuna species, wherein at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of muscle, liver, and eyeball contains not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.

2. The farmed tuna species according to claim 1, wherein the farmed tuna species is obtained by breeding management with feed including a blended feed.

3. The farmed tuna species according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pyloric appendage relative weight is not less than 2%.

4. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the farmed tuna species has a pyloric appendage containing not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.

5 The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a total fish body weight is not less than 20 kg.

6. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a caudal furca length is not less than 90 cm.

7. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a body mass index is not less than 20.

8. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the farmed tuna species is a tuna species of the Thunnus genus, Auxis genus, Euthynnus genus, Katsuwonus genusgenus, or Sarda genus.

9. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the farmed tuna species is Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Thunnus tonggol, Sarda orientalis, or Euthynnus affinis.

10. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the farmed tuna species is a tuna species having a staple food of fishes having the northern hemisphere as a habitat.

11. The farmed tuna species according to claim 10, wherein the farmed tuna species is Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus orientalis, Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus, Thunnus tonggol, Sarda orientalis, or Euthynnus affinis.

12. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one location selected from the group consisting of gills, guts, tail section, and head section is removed.

13. The farmed tuna species according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the farmed tuna species has a morphology in which gills and guts are removed.

14. The farmed tuna species according to claim 13, wherein a total weight is not less than 17 kg.

15. An edible part of the farmed tuna species described in any one of claims 1 to 14, the edible part containing not less than 2 mg of vitamin E per 100 g.

16. The edible part of the farmed tuna species according to claim 15, wherein the edible part is at least a portion of fish meat, guts, eyeballs, skin, or brain.

17. The edible part of the farmed tuna species according to claim 15, wherein the edible part is lean meat or fatty meat.

18. The edible part of the farmed tuna species according to claim 15, wherein the edible part is at least one selected from the group consisting of liver, pyloric appendage, stomach, esophagus, intestine, testis, ovary, spleen, heart, and swim bladder.

19. A food product comprising the edible part of the farmed tuna species described in any one of claims 15 to 18.

20. The food product according to claim 19, comprising an uncooked product of the edible part of the farmed tuna species, and a container holding the uncooked product of the edible part.

2016305897 06 Mar 2019

21. The food product according to claim 19, comprising a cooked product of the edible part of the farmed tuna species, and a container holding the cooked product of the edible part.