Investigation the nutritional value and ensiling ability of saffron wastes (petals and stamen)

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition, silage characteristics, digestibility, and in vitro gas production parameters of saffron waste (including petals and stamen) before and after ensiling. Experimental treatments (4 replicates) contained: 1) Saffron wastes before ensiling: SWBE; 2) Saffron wastes after ensiling: SWAE; 3) 96.88% Saffron wastes after ensiling+3.12% wheat bran: 96.88%SWAE+3.12%WB (fresh weight); 4) 93.75% Saffron wastes after ensiling+6.25% wheat bran: 93.75%SWAE+6.25%WB (fresh weight); 5) 87.5% Saffron wastes after ensiling+12.5% wheat bran: 87.5%SWAE+12.5%WB (fresh weight); 6) 75% Saffron wastes after ensiling+25% wheat bran: 75%SWAE+25%WB (fresh weight); 7) 50% Saffron wastes after ensiling+50% wheat bran: 50%SWAE+50%WB (fresh weight). Statistical analysis of the data was performed in a completely randomized design. Treatment 2 did not have good quality and odor due to high moldy and adhesion characteristics, but the addition of wheat bran, especially at higher levels (treatment 4, 5, 6) led to an increase in the silage quality. Chemical composition of the experimental treatments (dry matter 10.40-54.37% of fresh weight, neutral detergent fiber 12.83-27.35%, acid detergent fiber 7.23.11.45%, crude protein 14.88-15.67%, ether extract 5.43-5.77% and ash was 5.89-11.12% of dry weight) was different. Among the experimental treatments, the highest neutral and acid detergent fibers were observed (27.35% and 11.45%, respectively) in treatment 7. The lowest pH as well as the highest concentrations of lactic and acetic acids, gas production at 12 and 24 h incubation, and constant rate of gas production were observed in treatment 7. True dry matter digestibility differed from 76.30% for treatment 2 to 79.95% for treatment 1. Overall, saffron waste had good nutritional value before being ensilaged, and ensiling without additives reduced its quality. However, it was possible to ensilage saffron wastes with wheat bran as a moisture-absorbing material without adverse effects on some nutritional parameters. In terms of appearance quality, odor, non-molding, and fermentation characteristics of the silo environment, the best conditions were observed in treatment 7.