Journal of Pistachio Science and Technology

Journal of Pistachio Science and Technology

Investigation of the Interactive Effects of Particle Size, Additives, and Temperature on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Pellets Produced from Pistachio Green Hull Waste for Animal Feed

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Agriculture. Strategic crop and Horticulture Center. Da.C, Islamic Azad University. Damghan
2 PhD graduate, Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Bo Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran-09117838898
3 2- استاد، گروه فنی کشاورزی، پردیس ابوریحان، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران.
Abstract
Pistachio green husk, an underutilized agricultural by-product with high potential, is often neglected in many regions. This study investigated the interactive effects of additives, particle size, and temperature on the mechanical and chemical properties of pellets produced from pistachio green husk waste for animal feed. Analysis of variance showed that temperature, additives, and particle size each had significant independent effects on pellet durability, maximum fracture force, fracture energy, and toughness. The most pronounced improvements in durability, maximum fracture force, fracture energy, and toughness were observed for the treatment combining 50% additives, an 80°C conditioning temperature, and a 0.5 mm particle size. Pellets produced at 80°C with 80% additives exhibited the largest reductions in phenolic compounds and tannin content—79% and 81%, respectively compared with unpelleted pistachio green husk. Additionally, an optimal treatment (70°C, 80% additives, 0.5 mm particle size) resulted in substantial decreases in acid detergent lignin (58%) and in acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber (50% and 30%, respectively) relative to unprocessed (unpelleted) husk. These findings indicate that optimizing particle size, additive level, and processing temperature not only enhances the mechanical performance of pellets but also significantly reduces antinutritional factors, yielding economically attractive and more sustainable animal feed produced from agricultural waste.
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Volume 9, Issue 16
December 2024
Pages 61-92

  • Receive Date 22 April 2025
  • Revise Date 23 December 2025
  • Accept Date 31 December 2025