## 3 Results and Discussion
### Nutritional Assets
These values provide the necessary bacterial feed in the rumen while avoiding acidosis. This fact makes the _IP_ very suitable as a forage for ruminants. The decrease in lignin content is related to an increase in the ADICP value. This result is parallel to some investigations [58; 59]. The observed results may be related to an intense proteolytic activity in the plant, to the action of drying under the direct fire process, or to the high environmental temperatures recorded in the region during harvest and transport. S1 digestibility values resulted in NDFDs of 30%NDF = 6.82%, uNDF = 41.47%, and uNDF300m = 37.36%. It demonstrated a high effective degradability of NDF by _L. divariata_ in the present study. S2 and S3 resulted in a low humidity level that impaired the digestibility studies. The NFCs are necessary to cover the energy needs of the animals and the growth of microorganisms in the rumen. Some authors suggest optimal NFC levels from 32 to 38% of DM in diets containing high amounts of sugar and starch, such as barley grains and corn. NFC levels from 38 to 42% are reported in diets containing hay and sub-products of corn and soy [58]. The NFC value for S1 was 37.45%, which is within the literature's reported ranges. Starch is the most important fraction of the NFC. The starch content of S1 and S2 were 1.78% and 2.94%, respectively. These data indicate a possible advantage of the use of _L. divariata_ in ruminants. A more efficient use of the degradable protein in the rumen is expected due to the reported amount of non-structural carbohydrates measured in this shrub. This improvement in energy intake facilitates ruminal balance and promotes the synthesis of microbial proteins. Dietary Cation-Anion Difference (DCAD) manipulation is a useful tool to promote the production of lactating cows and to prevent metabolic disorders during peripartum. Optimal DCADs are reported as around 38 meq/100 g of DM. Table 2 presents the DCAD values in _IP_ samples. They range from 14.77 to 24.79 meq/100 g for S1 and S3, respectively. These values are lower than the optimal DCAD content. However, a diet with such DCAD levels can be successful if balanced with Ca, a double charged cation that can be used to balance the DCAD. Forage NDT is often calculated from forage ADF. _IP_ samples range from 49.23% to 63.35% NDT for S1 and S2, respectively. This result is slightly lower than the NDT value reported for corn silage and greater than that of hay crops. An important effect of the drying process on NDT content was observed. The NDT content in S1 was 18% higher than the NDT content in S2 and S3 samples. The energy content of _IP_ was also investigated. NEL was 1.144, 1.423, and 1.267 Mcal/kg for S1, S2, and S3, respectively. The ENG ratio ranged from 0.215% to 0.901% with a mean value of 0.5295%. This ratio was found to be lower than the previously reported literature [59]. Calculated ENM values of in vitro samples were 0.903, 1.493, and 1.207 Mcal/kg for S1, S2, and S3, respectively. Calculated 3X NRC2001 ME and 1X NRC2001 ME were 1.897, 2.287, 2.073 Mcal/kg for S1, S2, and S3, respectively. These results indicate a very high level of ME of _IP_ submitted to the S1, S2, and S3 industrial processes. The results in Table 2 also show the potential of _IP_ for human nutrition. The benefits of _IP_ consumption are usually related to its content of vitamins, antioxidants, and stimulants. These oligo-components are not investigated in the present contribution, and their effects can be consulted in [6]. Moreover, the infusion way of consumption of _IP_-based products contributes to human nutrition with just 12 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of soluble proteins and 60 calories per 100 g of _IP_ DM [6]. Consequently, _IP_ infusion may not be considered an abundant source for energy and protein intake for humans.