The nutritive values of non-processed and processed pistachio peel with Neurospora sitophila were evaluated. The chemical composition of samples was evaluated by laboratory analysis. An in vitro digestibility study was done to determine digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM). Digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) content of pistachio peel samples. In addition, the disappearance of DM, OM and crude protein (CP) of the samples was determined by an in situ method. For each sample 12 bags were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and their kinetics were described using the equation p= a + b(1-e-c(t-tl)). The nutritive value index (NIV) of samples was calculated using the equation: NIV= a + 0.4b + 200c. The collected data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. The average total phenolic and total tannin compounds, DM percentage and digestion coefficient of DM in pistachio peel decreased (P<0.05) by processing. However, the percentage of CP, acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), effective degradability of DM, OM and CP, and NIV of DM, OM and CP increased (P<0.05). The results showed that processing of pistachio peel with Neurospora sitophila, decreased compounds of phenol and tannin and increased its CP and effective degradability. Manuscript profile

In this trial effects of feeding pistachio by-product silage with date waste (PBSD) on dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain and blood parameters of lambs were studied. Ensiling of pistachio by-products (PBP) with date waste increased dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME), but decreased the percentages of crude protein (CP), total tannins and phenolic compounds (P<0.05). Treatment diets were: 1) control (without PBSD); 2) diet containing 7% PBSD; 3) diet containing 14% PBSD and 4) diet containing 21% PBSD (DM basis). Forty male lambs were allocated to four treatments in a completely randomized design. All groups were fed a control diet for 21 days prior to the start of the 90-day experiment. Thereafter, one group (control) continued to receive the same diet while other groups received the diets containing PBSD. At the end of experiment, all lambs were slaughtered on the same day. The lambs fed diets containing 14 or 21% PBSD had more DMI than those fed with the control diet (P<0.05). Feeding 21% PBSD significantly (P<0.05) increased final weight, live daily gain, the weight of the warm or cold carcass and lean meat. The lambs fed 14 and 21% PBSD had lower TG than lambs fed the control diet (P<0.05). Feeding 21% PBSD significantly (P<0.05) increased the blood total protein and albumin concentration when compared with the control group. The concentrations of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) enzymes in blood were not affected. The results showed that feeding 21% PBSD to fattening lambs increased their performance, and it had no adverse effects on liver function. Manuscript profile