The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of pistachio by-product

Abstract

Pistachio (pistachio vera) is from Anacardiaceae family. According to the FAO (2003) report, Iran is the largest pistachio producer in the world (more than 310,000 tons). The most three important exported pistachio nuts of Iran are Ohadi, Akbari and Kaleghuchi (Mohammadi, 2005). About 150,000 tons in DM of pistachio by-product (PB) is produced from dehulling process in Iran, annually. This by-product is mainly consisted of pistachio hulls (PH), and then peduncles, leaves and a little amount of mesocarp and kernels. In this experiment the chemical composition, Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and tannin amount of PB and PH of Ohadi, Kaleghuchi and white varieties were determined; also, In Vitro Dry Matter and Organic Matter Digestibility (IVDMD and IVOMD) were measured.