Pistachio Shell as Potential Functional Ingredient for Animal Feed

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) view antioxidants as additives to feed ingredients that prevent spoilage by oxidation, while promoting animal gut benefits. It is well known that pistachio shells, as well as other pistachio-derived co-products, contain a large amount of fiber, and our work has demonstrated that it also contains a high level of polyphenols. Those properties make pistachio shells a great multifunctional additive and/ or a substitute ingredient in animal feeds. In collaboration with both academic and industrial partners, we are investigating the potential use of pistachio shell powder for animal feed, including fish, pigs and companion animals.