Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
                                                                   
                                                                            
 
 
 
 
DRAFT  TANZANIA STANDAR D 
 
Freshwater Prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) feed – 
Specification  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 Freshwater Prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) feed  – 
Specification  
 
  
0 FOREWORD  
Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing sub -sectors  in the country . A large  
number of aquaculture farms on specific l ines have been established . This 
Tanzania standard lays down specifications aiming at ensuring the safety and 
quality of freshwater prawn  feed produced or trad ed in the country .  
 
In the preparation of this Tanzania  Standard substantial assistance was draw n 
from Indian standard , IS 16150 (Part 4 ):2014  Fish Feed – Specification P art 4  
Freshwater Prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Feed . 
 
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this 
Tanzania  Standard, if the final value observed o r calculated is to be rounded off, 
it shall be  done in accordance with TZS 4 (see clause 2).  
 
1.0 SCOPE  
 
This Tanzania  Standard  prescribes the requirements, methods of sampling  and 
test for  freshwater prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) feed for their grow -out 
culture.  
 
2.0 NORMATIVE REFERENCES  
 
The following referenced standards are indispensable for the application of this 
draft sta ndard. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced standard  (including any 
amendments) applies.   
TZS 4  – Rounding off numerical values . 
TZS 122 -1 – Microbio logy of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method 
for the detection of Salmonella spp . 
TZS 538  – Labelling of pre -packaged foods — General requirements  
TZS 730 -1 – Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method 
for the detectio n of Escherichia coli   
TZS 821  – Animal feeding stuffs – Preparation of test samples  
TZS 826  – Animal feeding stuffs – Determination of Aflatoxin B 1 content of mixed 
feeding stuffs – Method using high -performa nce liquid chromatog raphy  
TZS 2044  – Animal feeding stuffs – Determination of ash insoluble in 
hydrochloric acid  
TZS 2472  – Animal  feeding stuffs – Determination of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid 
detergent  lignin (ADL) Contents  
TZS 2476  – Animal feeding stuffs -Determination of fat content  
TZS 2478  – Animal feeding stuffs – Determination of moisture and other volatile 
matter content  
TZS 2480  – Animal  feeding stuf fs - Determination of nitrogen content a nd 
calculation of crude protein content - Part 1: Kjeldahl method  
TZS 2482  – Animal feeding stuffs, ani mal products, and faeces or urine - 
Determination of gross calorific value - Bomb calorimeter method  Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 TZS 2488  – Animal fe eding stuffs – Sampling  
 
3.0 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS  
For the purpose of this Tanzania standard, the following terms and definitions 
shall apply:  
 
3.1 starter feed 
feed to be fed t o post larvae of freshwater prawn in grow -out ponds until they 
attain a mass of about 7.0 g  
 
3.2 grower feed  
feed to be fed to growing prawn of about 7.0 g until they attain a mass of a bout 
20 g 
 
3.3 finisher feed 
feed to be fed to growing prawn  of above 20 g mass.  
 
4.0 REQUIREMENTS  
 
4.1 General requirements  
4.1.1  Feed form  
4.1.1.1  Starter feed  shall be in meal/mash fo rm.  
4.1.1.2 Grower feed  and finisher feed shall be in the for m of sinking pellets .  
  
4.1.2 The prawn  feed;  
4.1.3.1  Shall be free from rancidity,  adulterants, moulds and insect infestation.  
4.1.3. 2 Ingredients  
The ingredients listed in Annex A shall onl y be used for manufacturing freshwater 
prawn  feed.  
 
4.1.3 Water stability of  pellets  
The feed pellets should be stable without disintegration in water for 2 h minimum. 
The water stability shall not be less than 90 percent after 1 h when tested as per 
Anne x B. 
 
4.2 Specific requirements  
The freshwater prawn  feed shall conform  to the requirements given in T able 1 . 
 
Table 1: Requirements for freshwater p rawn  feed 
 
S/No  Parameters  Requirements  Methods of test 
(See clause 2)  Starter  Grower  Finisher  
1 Mois ture, %, 
m/m, max  12.0 12.O  12.0 TZS 2478  
2 Crude p rotein 
(6.25 X N), %,  
m/m, Min  30.0 24.0 18.0  TZS 2480  
3 Crude fat, %,  
m/m, min  4.0 4.0 4.0 TZS 2476  Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 4 Crude fibre, %,  
m/m, max  8.0 8.0 10.0  TZS 2472   
5 Acid insoluble 
ash, %, m/m, 
max 5.0 6.0 6.0  TZS 2044  
6  Gross energy, 
kcal/kg , min 2800 3000 2800 TZS 2482  
7 Phosphorus, %, 
m/m, max  0.65 0.65 0.65 ICP/AAS   
NOTE  – The requirements specified for parameters (2) to ( 7) are on moisture -
free basis  
 
5 HYG IENE 
5.1 Freshwater pr awn feed shall be prepar ed under strict hygienic conditions 
according to TZS 109 (see clause 2).  
5.2 Freshwater prawn feed shall comply with microbiological limits as shown in 
Table 2;  
 
Table 2: Status for microbiol ogical tolerance o f Freshwater prawn  feed 
S/No.  Microorganism  
 Status Test methods 
(see clause 2 ) 
1. Salmonella spp /25g 
   Absent  TZS 122 -1  
2. Escherichia coli , cfu/g   
   Absent  TZS 730 -1   
 
6.0 CONTAMINANTS   
6.1 Pesticide residues  
 Freshwater prawn  feed shall comply wi th pesticide residue s limits  as prescribed 
in the Codex Alimentarius Commission .  
 
6.2 Aflatoxins B1 
Aflatoxins B1 content of the freshwater prawn  feed shall not exceed 0.05mg/kg in 
accordance with the test method prescribed in TZS 826. 
 
6.3 Heavy metals  
Freshwater prawn  feeds shall comply with the li mits of heavy metals as specified 
in the Table 3 when tested in accordance with the methods specified therein.  
Table 3: Heavy metals contaminants  
S/No  Heavy metal  Limits  (mg/kg, max)  Test Method  
(see clause 2) 
1) Mercury (Hg)  0.5 ICP/AAS  
2) Lead (Pb)  1.0 TZS 268  
3) Arsenic (As)  2.0 TZS 76  Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 4) Cadmium (Cd)  5.0  ICP/AAS   
 
7.0 SAMPLING  AND TESTS  
7.1 Sampling  
Sampling o f freshwater prawn  feed shall be done according to TZS 2488  and 
TZS 821 (see clause 2).  
 
7.2 Tests  
Testing of freshwater prawn  feed shall b e done according to t est methods 
prescribed in Table s 1 and 2 . 
8.0 PACK ING, MARKING  AND LABELLING   
 
8.1 Pack ing 
Freshwater prawn  feed shall be packed in clean and sound containers capable of 
protecting the product from moisture ingress, contamination and sp illage during 
normal  handling and transportation. The containers shall be sealed/stitched in a 
manner that the produ ct will be effectively protected.  
 
8.2 Marking  and labelling   
8.2.1 Freshwater prawn  feed containers  shall be marked and labelled  in 
accord ance with TZS 538 (s ee clause 2).  In addition,  each c ontainer  shall be 
legibly and indelibly marked with the followi ng information:  
 
a) Name of the product ;  
b) Type of the freshwater prawn  feed and stage of growth,   
c) Name and address of the manufacturer;   
d) Batch or code number;  
e) Date  of production;  
f) Net weight in metric unit ; 
g) Expiry date ; 
h) Country of origin ; 
i) Storage  instructions ; 
j) Guaranteed analysis  
 
8.3 The container may also be marked with TBS Certification Mark.  
 
NOTE  – The TBS Standards Mark of Quality may be use d by the 
manufacture rs only under license  from TBS. Particulars of 
conditions under which the licenses  are granted m ay be obtained 
from TBS.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 Annex A  
(normative)  
 
INGREDIENTS FOR FRESHWATER PRAWN  FEED  
A-1 In the compounding of freshwater prawn  feed a variety of ing redients are 
used.  This Annex gives a list of such ingredients.  
 
A-1.1 Ingredients of Animal Ori gin 
 
a) Bone meal , 
b) All crustacean meals,  
c) Squid me al and all other squid products,  
d) Molluscan meal (clam, mussel, etc. ), 
e) Silk worm pupae,  
f) Squid o il, 
g) Squid liver oil , 
h) Fish oil , 
i) Blood meal , 
j) Meat /bone meal,  
k) Meat meal , 
l) Offal meals (treated) , 
m) Dried skimmed milk , 
n) Dry whey, 
o) Cheese meal , 
p) Poultry by -products (excluding manure) , 
q) Hydrolyzed feather meal , 
r) Fishmeal  and all other fish products , 
s) Whole milk . 
 
A.1.2 Ingredients of Plant Origin  
 
a) Soybean cake ( meal ), 
b) Ground nut oilcake (expeller -pressed or solvent extracted) , 
c) Sesa me (Sesamum indicum orientale ) oil cake (expeller -pressed or 
solvent extracted),  
d) Cotton seed oil cake (decorticated) (expeller -pressed or so lvent extracted)  
e) Sunflower oilcake (decorticated or undecorticated),  
f) Copra cake, coconut oil cake (expeller -pressed or solvent extracted),  
g) Mustard oilcake,  
h) Wheat and wheat products,  
i) Rice and its products/broken rice,  
j) Maize and maize products,  
k) Any other edi ble ce real and its p roducts,  
l) Rice bran,  
m) Wheat bran,  
n) Edible vegetable oils,  
o) Soybean lecithin,  
p) Algal  meals,  
q) Sea weeds,  
r) Corn gluten,  Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 s) Sorghum meal,  
t) Alfalfa meal (Lucerne meal) – dried grass meal , 
u) Potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ), 
v) Brewer’s yeast and dried grains , 
w) Sugarc ane molasses . 
 
A.1.3 Other  ingredients  
- Common salt , 
- Dicalcium phosphate ( as TZS) , 
- Calcium lactate ,  
- Limestone , 
- Vitamin s,  
- Minerals,  
- Yeast and yeast extracts,  
- Spirulina,  
- Brewery by –products,  
- Molasses,  
- Tapioca and its products,  
- Binders,  
- Single cell pr otein,  
- Attractants,  
- Nucleotides,  
- Amino acids,  
- Pigments,  
- Toxin binders and clay,  
- Dunaliella,  
- Antifungals,  
- Peptiglycan s, 
- β-glucans, and  
- Fucoidan.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dra ft standard for discussion -TBS                                                                                                   AFDC 9 (275) CD 3 
 
 ANNEX B  
(Normative ) 
 
DETERMINATION OF WATER STABILITY OF FRESHWATER PRAWN  FEED 
PELLETS  
 
B-1 PRINC IPLE 
 
Water stability of dry freshwater prawn feed  pellets is determined by the loss in 
mass of pellets kept in water for specified time interval. The loss in mass of 
pellets indicates the stability, higher the loss poorer the stability.  
 
B-2 APPARATUS  
 
B-2.1 Oven  
 
B-2.2 Nylon Mesh  
 
B-2.3 Sieve (2.4 mm)  
 
B-2.4 Balance  
  
B-2.5 Glass Beaker (1 litre)  
 
B-2.6 Stop Watch  
 
B-3 PROCEDURE  
  
Wash cone shaped pouches made of nylon mesh ( 1 mm  mesh size ) thoroughly 
and dry at 700C to constant mass in an oven. Take abou t 2 g of feed pellets in 
each pouch and record exact initial mass. Take 5 -6 such pouches for each 
sample. Place the pouches with feed pellets at the bottom of 1 litre beaker 
containing one litre seawater (30 parts per thousands). Record w ater 
temperatu re, salinity and pH of the seawater. After prescribed time, slowly take 
out pouches with pellets out of the water. E xamine the pellets for their physical 
shape. Wash the adhering salt on the pellets by dipping in fresh water for 5 min. 
Dry the pouches with  pellets at 700C to constant mass.  Difference in the initial 
mass and final mass of the pellets gives loss in mass a t 70 0C.  
 
B-4 CALCULATION  
  
Water stability is calculated using the following formula:  
 
Percent   Final mass (g) * Percent dry matter        * 100 
Water =   Initial mass (g) * Percent dry matter  
stability  
 
 
 
 