CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 20209205.2, filed 23 November 2020 and European Patent Application No. 21170831.8, filed 28 April 2021, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an animal feed composition, a process to produce the animal feed composition and the use of an interesterified triglyceride composition for reducing oil-leakage from an animal feed composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] High amounts of digestible lipids, in particular liquid oils, are often desirable in animal feed compositions, as they are beneficial for the growth and development of animals. Liquid oils are not only used as sources of energy because of their high caloric value. They also offer essential fatty acids and are important for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and pigments. Additionally, liquid oils play a beneficial role in structural properties of the meat of the animals and an improvement of palatability when the meat is consumed. The incorporation of high amounts of liquid oils in animal feed compositions is difficult to achieve since the liquid oil needs to be structurally retained in the feed composition.

[0004] Leakage of liquid oils results in a decreased provision of liquid oils to the animal, which in turn results in a decreased nutritional effect. Leakage of liquid oils also results in issues during transportation of the animal feed, such as clogging in transport pipes, eventually causing disruption of the feed stream to the animals, prolongation of feeding time and requirement of additional resources for cleaning. [0005] Additives for preventing leakage currently need to be incorporated into the animal feed composition, to efficiently reduce the leakage of oils from an animal feed composition. As many of those additives for preventing leakage are non-nutritional additives that cannot be efficiently digested by certain animals, in particular by fish, their presence significantly reduces the total nutritional value of an animal feed composition. The additives for preventing leakage are not effective enough to prevent leakage in high fat recipes, and they do not provide beneficial nutritional effects for the growth and development of animals and/or are used in amounts which are not practical or economically not viable.

[0006] There is a need to overcome the disadvantages associated with the known animal feed compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to an animal feed composition comprising non- interesterified triglycerides, an interesterified triglyceride composition, and at least one other nutrient, wherein the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14 and a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a ratio of from 0.30 to 1.00.

[0008] The present invention further relates to a process to produce the animal feed composition comprising the steps of a) providing the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition, and b) adding the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition from step a) to at least one other nutrient to obtain an animal feed composition.

[0009] Finally, the invention relates to the use of an interesterified triglyceride composition for reducing oil-leakage from an animal feed composition, wherein the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14 and a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a ratio of from 0.30 to 1.00.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The present invention relates to an animal feed composition comprising non- interesterified triglycerides, an interesterified triglyceride composition, and at least one other nutrient.

[0011] An animal feed composition is a composition that, when fed to animals, may nourish and more in particular may promote the growth and development of animals.

[0012] The animal feed composition according to the present invention is used as aquafeed, for companion or farmed animals and in pet food. Typically, the animal feed composition for companion or farmed animals is used for animals such as, but not limited to, cattle (dairy or beef), pig, horse, goat, sheep, rodents, chicken, goose, duck or turkey. Pet food is more dedicated to dogs or cats. Aquafeed is suitable for fish (e.g., farm- and coastal-raised carp, tilapia, salmon, walleye, trout, sea-bass or catfish, and the like), and crustaceans (including without limitation, shrimp, lobster, crabs, crayfish, and prawns), and mollusks (including without limitation snails, clams, oysters, squid, octopus and mussels). The animal feed composition according to the invention is preferably an aquafeed composition, more preferably a fish feed composition.

[0013] High amounts of triglycerides in the animal feed composition are desirable, since triglycerides have a high energy value compared to the at least one other nutrient, such as proteins and carbohydrates. The triglycerides may therefore effectively promote the growth and development of animals.

[0014] The term “triglycerides” encompasses oils and/or fats from any vegetable, animal or microbial source. The triglycerides may be oils and fats that are occurring in nature or that have been further subjected to a refining process, such as, but not limited to, degumming, bleaching, and/or deodorization. The triglycerides may also be oils and/or fats that have been further subjected to a process for modifying the structure of oils and fats, such as, but not limited to, fractionation, hydrogenation, interesterification or a combination of two or more processes. The triglycerides may include oils and/or fats from a single origin or blends of two or more oils and/or fats from different sources or with different characteristics.

[0015] A non-interesterified triglyceride is a triglyceride that has not been subj ected to a process of interesterification.

[0016] An interesterified triglyceride composition is a triglyceride composition wherein the fatty acids have been re-distributed over the glycerol backbone of the triglycerides.

[0017] Preferably, the interesterified triglyceride composition has a ratio of symmetrical triglycerides to asymmetrical triglycerides in a range of from 0.90 to 1.10, from 0.95 to 1.05.

[0018] The interesterified triglyceride composition can be obtained by means of a process of chemical or enzymatic interesterification.

[0019] A chemical interesterification is performed by using an acidic or basic catalyst, preferably a basic catalyst, such as, but not limited to, sodium methoxide or sodium ethoxide.

[0020] An enzymatic interesterification is obtained by means of a lipase enzyme. The lipase will generally be non-selective for the positions on the glyceride backbone in order to achieve the optimum random interesterification. Alternatively, selective lipases may be used, provided that the reaction conditions are such that no significant selectivity is observed, for example by running the reaction for extended periods of time. Suitable lipases include the lipases from Thermomyces lanuginosa, Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizopus delemar and Candida rugosa. Preferably, the lipase is suitable for use with food products.

[0021] In one aspect of the invention, the interesterified triglyceride composition is obtained by means of a chemical interesterification.

[0022] The interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14, and a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a ratio of from 0.30 to 1.00, a ratio from 0.40 to 0.90, or a ratio from 0.50 to 0.80.

[0023] In one aspect of the invention, the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14 in range of from 20 to 40 wt%, from 25 to 38 wt%, or from 28 to 35 wt%. Furthermore, the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a range of from 40 to 65 wt%, from 45 to 62 wt%, or from 50 to 60 wt%.

[0024] In another aspect of the invention, the saturated fatty acids of the interesterified triglyceride composition with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14 are sourced from at least one lauric fat. The at least one lauric fat is a fat that is rich in saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14. Examples of lauric fat are, but are not limited to coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, palm kernel oil, fully or partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, palm kernel stearin, hydrogenated palm kernel stearin, palm kernel olein, fully or partially hydrogenated palm kernel olein, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0025] The saturated fatty acids of the interesterified triglyceride composition with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 are sourced from at least one non-lauric fat with an iodine value of less than 37, less than 25, less than 17, or even less than 5. Examples of non- lauric fats with an iodine value of less than 37 are amongst others palm stearin (iodine value 32-36), palm superstearin (iodine value 14-16), fully or partially hydrogenated oils such as, but not limited to, hydrogenated palm olein, hydrogenated liquid oils, or combinations of two or more thereof.

[0026] Hydrogenated oils are oils that were subjected to a hydrogenation process, wherein a double bond of an unsaturated fatty acid is reduced and converted into a saturated fatty acid. Hydrogenation of the oil can be partially, resulting in a partially hydrogenated oil, wherein the unsaturated fatty acids are partially converted into saturated fatty acids. Alternatively, hydrogenation of the oil is substantially complete, resulting in a fully hydrogenated oil, wherein substantially all unsaturated fatty acids in the oil are converted into saturated fatty acids. The partial or full hydrogenation of the double bonds converts oils that are liquid at ambient temperatures into semi-solid or solid fats. In other words, the hydrogenation procedure increases the melting point of an oil.

[0027] In one aspect of the invention, the at least one lauric fat is selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, palm kernel oil, fully or partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, palm kernel stearin, hydrogenated palm kernel stearin, palm kernel olein, fully or partially hydrogenated palm kernel olein, or a mixture of two or more thereof. Preferably, the at least one lauric fat is coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil or a mixture thereof.

[0028] In another aspect of the invention, the at least one non-lauric fat with an iodine value of less than 37 is a hydrogenated liquid oil with an iodine value of less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, or even less than 2. Hydrogenated liquid oils with an iodine value of less than 5 are fully hydrogenated liquid oils.

[0029] In yet another aspect of the invention, the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids of at least 82 wt%, at least 85 wt%, at least 90 wt%, or at least 92 wt%.

[0030] In one more aspect of the invention, the interesterified triglyceride composition has melting point of more than 35°C, more than 40°C, or even more than 45°C. The melting point can be determined according to the official AOCS method Cc 3- 25.

[0031] In another aspect of the invention, the non-interesterified triglycerides of the animal feed composition comprise liquid oil in an amount of at least 40 wt%, at least 50 w%, or at least 60 wt% on total weight of triglycerides. The non-interesterified triglycerides comprise liquid oil in an amount up to 100 wt%, up to 99 wt%, or up to 95 wt% on total weight of triglycerides.

[0032] High amounts of liquid oil in the animal feed composition are particularly preferred, as the high-energy value of liquid oils can promote the growth and development of the animals being fed with the animal feed composition. In addition, liquid oils comprise high amounts of unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids that are particularly beneficial for the growth and development of animals. [0033] The term “liquid oil” is defined as triglycerides with a melting point of less than 20°C. The liquid oil can be one liquid oil or a blend of more than one liquid oils. In case of a blend of liquid oils, it is understood that the blend of the more than one liquid oil has a melting point of less than 20°C.

[0034] The “liquid oil” is derived from a vegetable oil or an animal oil or mixtures thereof.

[0035] Examples of vegetable liquid oils are amongst others double fractionated palm olein, cottonseed oil, com oil, groundnut oil, linseed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, high erucic acid rapeseed oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, oil from any variety of oilseeds with increased level of unsaturated fatty acids compared to the original seed variety, such as mid or high oleic sunflower oil. These varieties with increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids can be obtained by natural selection or by genetic modification (GMO). Preferably, the vegetable oil is selected from the group consisting of cottonseed oil, com oil, groundnut oil, linseed oil, olive oil, rapeseed oil, high erucic acid rapeseed oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, their corresponding high oleic varieties, and mixture of two or more thereof. More preferably, the vegetable oil is selected from the group consisting of com oil, rapeseed oil, high emcic acid rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, their corresponding high oleic varieties, and mixture of two or more thereof. The high oleic varieties are containing at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70% and preferably at least 80% oleic acid in respect of the fatty acid profile.

[0036] Examples of liquid oils from an animal source are amongst others, fish oil, such as, but not limited to sardine oil, cod oil, mackerel oil, capelin oil, blue whiting oil, sandeel oil, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0037] The animal feed composition is comprising non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition in an amount of from 20 to 50 wt%, from 25 to 48 wt%, from 27 to 45 w%, or from 30 to 40 wt% on total weight of the animal feed composition. The interesterified triglyceride composition is present in the animal feed composition in an amount of from 0.2 to 2.0 wt%, 0.3 to 1.5 wt%, 0.4 to 1.2 wt%, or 0.5 to 1.0 wt% on total weight of the animal feed composition.

[0038] In a preferred aspect of the invention, the animal feed composition comprises substantially no oils sourced from palm. Certain consumers prefer food and/or feed products without oils sourced from palm, such as palm oil, palm oil fractions, palm kernel oil, palm kernel oil fractions or a combination of two or more thereof. Therefore, the animal feed composition according to the present invention can offer an alternative to products based on or containing oils sourced from palm.

[0039] The animal feed composition according to the present invention further comprises at least one other nutrient, other than the non-interesterified triglycerides and interesterified triglyceride compositions. The at least one other nutrient is selected from the group consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water. The specific amounts of at least one other nutrient in the animal feed composition is adjusted based on the individual needs of the animal being fed with the animal feed composition. The at least one other nutrient is not a triglyceride.

[0040] The at least one other nutrient is adduced to the animal feed composition by means of animal feed ingredients such as fish meal, wheat concentrate, pea concentrate, wheat flour and the like. An animal feed ingredient may contain several nutrients. For example, fish meal may adduce fish oil, i.e. non-interesterified triglycerides, and proteins (is at least one other nutrient) to the animal feed composition.

[0041] The term “proteins” relates to all kinds of proteins, both of animal and vegetable origin. The term “proteins” further comprises all kinds of enzymes, peptides and single amino acids. Peptides that may be used in the animal feed composition may preferably be such that promote the growth and/or health of certain animals. Examples for such peptides may be peptides derived from gelatin or collagen. Single amino acids in the animal feed composition are preferably such that cannot be synthesized in vivo by the animal itself that are fed with the animal feed composition.

[0042] Enzymes may be added to the animal feed composition to increase the digestibility of certain ingredients of the animal feed composition by the animal that is fed with the animal feed composition. Examples of such enzymes are hydrolases or phytases. In addition, other enzymes may be used that allow the removal of certain toxins in the animal feed composition, such as the removal of mycotoxins.

[0043] The term “carbohydrates” relates to all kinds of mono-, di-, oligo-, and polysaccharides. This may include polysaccharides derived from cereals, such as wheat, com, rice, tapioca, barley or oat. Further examples of polysaccharides are all kinds of starches including modified starches.

[0044] The selection of specific minerals and/or vitamins as well as their amounts in the animal feed composition are adjusted based on the individual needs of the animal being fed with the animal feed composition. Examples for minerals in the animal feed composition are magnesium, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine and molybdenum

[0045] Due to the high lipid content in the animal feed composition, preferably lipid- soluble vitamins are added to the animal feed composition, such as that belonging to the group of vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E or vitamin K. Water-soluble vitamins may also be present in the animal feed composition, such as that belonging to the group of vitamin B or vitamin C.

[0046] In one aspect of the invention, the animal feed composition further comprises one or more non-nutrient components. Non-nutrient components that may be added to the animal feed composition that can potentially affect animal health but are not identified as nutrients. Examples of a non-nutrient that may be added to the animal feed composition are biologically active ingredients, such as, but not limited to, a therapeutically or prophylactically active component, a vaccine, a pigment, a hormone, live microbial cells, and feed additives that may affect aspects such as texture, color, taste or smell of the animal feed composition, or a combination of two or more thereof. The one or more non-nutrient components may be present in a total amount of up to 2%, in a range of from 0.1 to 1.8 wt%, from 0.2 to 1.5 wt%, or from 0.4 to 1.0 wt%, on total weight of the animal feed composition.

[0047] In another aspect of the invention, the animal feed composition is consisting of 18.0 to 49.8 wt% of the non-interesterified triglycerides, 0.2 to 2.0 wt% of the interesterified triglyceride composition, 50.0 to 80.0 wt% of the at least one other nutrient and one or more non-nutrient components in a total amount of up to 2.0 wt%, on total weight of the animal feed composition. Preferably, the non-interesterified triglycerides are liquid oils.

[0048] In one more aspect of the invention, the animal feed composition is a solid animal feed composition, preferably in form of a pellet. Preferably, the pellet has pores, i.e. the pellet is a porous pellet. The use of the interesterified triglyceride composition for a porous animal feed composition is particularly effective in the reduction or prevention of liquid oil leakage

[0049] The non-interesterified triglycerides and/or the interesterified triglyceride composition are in the form of one or more coatings. The term “coating” encompasses a coating on the external surface of the animal feed composition as well as one or more vacuum coatings in case of a porous animal feed composition, such as a porous pellet. In case of a vacuum coating, the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition are infused under vacuum into the pores of the porous feed composition. The constitution of one or more coatings may be the same or different.

[0050] When the non-interesterified triglycerides and/or the interesterified triglyceride composition are in the form of more coatings, at least the outer coating of the animal feed composition is comprising the interesterified triglyceride composition. The term “outer coating” is the coating that is situated most externally of the different coatings. More specifically, when the non-interesterified triglycerides and/or the interesterified triglyceride composition are in the form of two coatings, the “outer coating” is the coating that is situated most externally, and the “inner” coating is situated most internally of the animal feed composition.

[0051] In a preferred aspect of the invention, the interesterified triglyceride composition is present in an amount of from 0.4 to 5 wt%, from 0.5 to 3.5 wt%, from 0.7 to 3.0 wt% or from 1.0 to 2.5 wt%, and liquid oil in an amount of at least 40 wt%, at least 50 w%, or at least 60 wt%, in an amount up to 99.6 wt%, up to 99.0 wt%, or up to 95.0 wt% on total weight of non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition. [0052] Alternatively, the non-interesterified triglyceride and/or the interesterified triglyceride composition may be in the form of two coatings. The inner coating is present in an amount of from 75 to 99 wt%, from 80 to 95 wt%, or from 85 to 90 wt% based on total weight of non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition. The outer coating is present in an amount of from 1 to 25 wt%, from 2 to 20 wt%, or from 5 to 15 wt% based on total weight of the non-interesterified triglyceride and the interesterified triglyceride composition.

[0053] The composition of the outer coating is comprising the interesterified triglyceride composition in an amount of from 1.6 to 50.0 wt%, from 2.5 to 40.0 wt%, from 4.0 to 30.0 wt%, or from 8.0 to 20.0 wt% on total weight of the outer coating composition.

[0054] In one other aspect of the invention, the animal feed composition is an aquafeed composition, preferably a fish feed composition. In one preferred aspect, the fish feed composition is a salmon feed composition. Salmon fish requires particularly high amounts of liquids oils showing high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids for its growth and development and thus, the present invention is particularly suitable for salmon fish. The fish feed composition preferably does not float on a water surface, but rather slowly sinks in the water. Preferably, the fish feed composition is dust-free, and stable in water. The size of the fish feed composition depends on the individual type of fish and is known by a person skilled in the art. Preferably, the fish-feed composition is a pellet.

[0055] The interesterified triglyceride composition in the animal feed composition of the present invention is reducing and/or is preventing leakage of the liquid oil from the animal feed composition. Without being bound by any theory, the interesterified triglyceride composition may form a kind of structure comparable to fat that is solid at ambient temperature.

[0056] Additionally, the interesterified triglyceride composition in the animal feed composition of the present invention has a melting point and a crystallization speed that are lower than the melting point and crystallization speed of existing ingredients for preventing oil leakage from animal feed compositions, such as fully hydrogenated fats. As a result, there is more time for the vacuum coating comprising non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition to be properly infused into the pores of the porous animal feed before the oil matrix starts crystallizing. The better the vacuum coating is infused into the porous animal feed, the more it may be resistant to oil leakage.

[0057] The animal feed composition according to the present invention is less susceptible to oil leakage during storage or transport compared to animal feed compositions that only contain liquid oil. As a result, the risk of clogging of the animal feed composition in storage containers or transport pipes is reduced. This may reduce the risk of a disruption of the feed stream to the animals. Additionally, less animal feed composition may be waisted due to the leakage of the oil.

[0058] The interesterified triglyceride composition in the animal feed composition of the current invention that has saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14, and saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a ratio of from 0.30 to 1.00, may be more efficiently metabolized by certain animals, in particular fish, than existing ingredients for preventing oil leakage from animal feed compositions. As a result, the animal feed composition of the present invention, may have a total nutritional value that is less reduced due to the presence of the interesterified triglyceride composition compared to existing animal feed compositions that contain known ingredients for preventing oil leakage.

[0059] The present invention further relates to a process to produce the animal feed composition, and the process is comprising the steps of a) providing the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition, and b) adding the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition from step a) to the at least one other nutrient to obtain an animal feed composition.

[0060] The non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition of step a) are obtained by melting the interesterified triglyceride composition and subsequently blending the melted interesterified triglyceride composition with the non- interesterified triglycerides, preferably liquid oil. The non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition are kept in fully melted state prior to its addition to the at least one other nutrient. [0061] In one aspect of the invention, the process relates to the production of an animal feed composition that is in the form of a pellet. The at least one other nutrient is prior to step b) mixed with an aqueous liquid to provide a mixture. The mixture is subsequently extruded, and optionally the moisture content of the extruded mixture is adjusted.

[0062] Subsequently, the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition from step a) may be added to the at least one other nutrient in one or multiple addition steps, resulting in an animal feed composition comprising the non- interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition in the form of one or more coatings. Addition of the dietary fat to the porous pellet may be done by means of a vacuum coating process.

[0063] In one specific aspect of the invention, the process to produce the animal feed composition is comprising the steps of: i) melting the interesterified triglyceride composition and subsequently blending the melted interesterified triglyceride composition with the non-interesterified triglycerides, preferably liquid oil, and ii) mixing the at least one other nutrient with an aqueous liquid to provide a mixture, iii) extruding the mixture from step ii), iv) optionally adjusting the moisture content of the extruded mixture from step iii), v) adding the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition from step i) to the at least one other nutrient to the extruded mixture from step iii), and vi) optionally cooling the composition obtained in step v) and obtaining the animal feed composition, and wherein the animal feed composition is in the form of a pellet.

[0064] In an alternative specific aspect of the invention, the process is comprising the steps of: i) melting the interesterified triglyceride composition and subsequently blending the melted interesterified triglyceride composition with the non-interesterified triglycerides, preferably liquid oil, and obtaining an outer coating composition, and ii) mixing the at least on other nutrient with an aqueous liquid to provide a mixture, iii) extruding the mixture from step ii), iv) optionally adjusting the moisture content of the extruded mixture from step iii), v) adding an inner coating composition comprising the non-interesterified triglycerides and the interesterified triglyceride composition to the extruded mixture from step iv), vi) subsequently adding the outer coating composition of step i), vii) optionally cooling the composition obtained in step vi) and obtaining the animal feed composition, and wherein the animal feed composition is in the form of a pellet.

[0065] Finally, the invention relates to the use of the interesterified triglyceride composition for reducing oil-leakage from an animal feed composition, wherein the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14 and a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a ratio of from 0.30 to 1.00, from 0.40 to 0.90, or from 0.50 to 0.80.

[0066] In one aspect, the current invention relates to the use, wherein the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of 12 and 14 in range of from 20 to 40 wt%, from 25 to 38 wt%, or from 28 to 35 wt%. Furthermore, the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 in a range of from 40 to 65 wt%, from 45 to 62 wt%, or from 50 to 60 wt%.

[0067] In another aspect, the current invention relates to the use, wherein the saturated fatty acids of the interesterified triglyceride composition with a carbon chain length of from 16 to 22 are sourced from at least one non-lauric fat with an iodine value of less than 37, less than 25, less than 17, or even less than 5.

[0068] In one more aspect, the current invention relates to the use, wherein the at least one lauric fat is selected from the group consisting of coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, palm kernel oil, fully or partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, palm kernel stearin, hydrogenated palm kernel stearin, palm kernel olein, fully or partially hydrogenated palm kernel olein, or a mixture of two or more thereof. Preferably, the at least one lauric fat is coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil or a mixture thereof. [0069] In yet another aspect, the current invention relates to the use, wherein the at least one non-lauric fat with an iodine value of less than 37 is a hydrogenated liquid oil with an iodine value of less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, or even less than 2. Hydrogenated liquid oils with an iodine value of less than 5 are fully hydrogenated liquid oils.

[0070] In one further aspect, the current invention relates to the use, wherein the interesterified triglyceride composition has a content of saturated fatty acids of at least 82 wt%, at least 85 wt%, at least 90 wt%, or at least 92 wt%.

[0071] In one more aspect, the current invention relates to the use, wherein the interesterified triglyceride composition has melting point of more than 35°C, more than 40°C, or even more than 45°C.

EXAMPLES

1. The interesterified triglyceride composition

Interesterified triglyceride compositions N° 1 and 2 were obtained by chemically interesterifying the fat blends 1 and 2 as described in table 1. Chemical interesterification is a process that is generally well known by the person skilled in the art.

[0072] The fatty acid composition of the interesterified triglyceride compositions are shown in table 1.

Table 1 - Composition of the fat blends & fatty acid composition of the interesterified triglyceride compositions

2. Preparation of the animal feed composition

- Preparation of the dry pellet

[0073] 580g of protein (from fish meal, soy protein concentrate, wheat protein and pea protein concentrate), 213 g carbohydrates (from wheat), 41 g minerals and vitamins (lysine, methionine, vitamin E, iron and other micro ingredients) and 56 g of lipids (coming from fish meal) were dosed and mixed together to form a homogeneous mash. The homogenous mash was than grinded in a hammer mill to reach an average particle size under 600 microns after which it was preconditioned with water and steam for 3 minutes until it obtained a temperature of 98°C and a moisture content of 27 wt%. The preconditioned mash was then extruded with a Wenger X235 extruder at a temperature of 130°C, a pressure of 22000 mbar and a screw speed of 395 rpm. The extruded mash, now in a pellet form, was dried until an average moisture content of 10,1 wt% was obtained and cooled down to 50°C. After drying, the pellet had a sample weight of 1000 g.

- Vacuum coating of the dry pellet

[0074] The lipid blends were prepared according to Table 2. The interesterified triglyceride composition N°1 (as described in table 1) or the fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil were added to the lipid blend as ingredients for reduction of oil-leakage from the animal feed composition. When an ingredient for reduction of oil-leakage was added, the amount of added liquid oil based on total lipid content was decreased by the amount of added ingredient for reduction of oil-leakage.

[0075] For vacuum coating, 420 g of lipid blend was added to the pellets under continuous stirring. The vacuum chamber was closed and 95% of vacuum was pulled. The vacuum was subsequently slowly released for 3 minutes so that pellets absorbed the lipid blend properly. The resulting feed composition was cooled at 6°C for 50 min using forced air and stored at 8°C.

Table 2 - Lipid blends for vacuum coating 3. Storage and preconditioning of the animal feed composition

[0076] The animal feed compositions (of Example 1 & 2 and Comparative Examples 1, 2 & 3) were stored during 3 days at a temperature of 8°C. Prior to measuring the oil leakage, the animal feed compositions were preconditioned during 24 hours at a temperature of23°C.

4. Evaluation of oil leakage from the animal feed composition

[0077] At first, the sample weight of the pellets was determined (A), and the lipid content of the final pellet (C) was determined by means of Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LFNMR). The animal feed pellet was then centrifuged (Thermo Scientific SL 16R) at 100G for 3 min at 23°C. The sample weight of the pellet after centrifugation was determined (B). From the above-mentioned data, the relative lipid loss was calculated as follows:

Relative lipid loss [%] = 100 * ((A-B) * 100 / A * C)

A = average sample weight before the test (in gram)

B = average sample weight after the test (in gram)

C = average sample lipid content (in %) measured according LFNMR

The results of the relative lipid loss of the animal feed composition according to the Comparative examples 1, 2 & 3 and according to the examples 1 & 2 are presented in Table 3.

Table 3 - Relative oil loss from the animal feed composition