© The Authors, 2026, Published by the Universidad del Zulia*Corresponding author:: j.ledea@uabcs.mx
Keywords:
Berza
Nutrients
Digestion
Secondary compounds
Chemical composition of varieties of chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst.) at
dierent cutting ages
Composición química de variedades de chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst.) a
diferentes edades de corte
Composição química de variedades de chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst.) em
diferentes idades de corte
Euster Alcívar Acosta
1
Karina Cusme Rivas
1
Oreste La O León
1
Yulien Fernández Romay
1
Walter Fernando Vivas Arturo
1
Maribel Celi Vásquez Paucar
2
José Leonardo Ledea Rodríguez
3*
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2026, 43(2): e264335
ISSN 2477-9407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47280/RevFacAgron(LUZ).v43.n3.III
Crop production
Associate editor: Dra. Rosa Razz
University of Zulia, Faculty of Agronomy
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
1
Facultad de Agrociencias. Universidad Técnica de Manabí.
Ecuador. Dirección postal: CP EC-130350
2
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Estatal del
Sur de Manabí. Ecuador. Dirección Postal: CP: EC-130602
Departamento Académico de Ciencia Animal y
Conservación del Hábitat. Universidad Autónoma de Baja
California Sur. Dirección Postal: CP: Mx-23080.
Received: 12-02-2026
Accepted: 19-06-2026
Published: 24-06-2026
Abstract
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst, is a plant
distributed in tropical and subtropical, for its high nutritional value
and adaptability to diverse environments. To evaluate the chemical
completely randomized experimental design with a 2x4 factorial
arrangement was used, with chaya varieties (Estrella and Mansa)
and harvest age (60, 90, 120, and 150 days) as factors. The chemical
composition and the presence of some secondary compounds
leaves were analyzed. The comparison of means tests for the
interaction between variety and cutting time showed that the Mansa
variety at 120 days had a higher fat content (7.04
%) and phenols
(5.39 mg.g
-1
), as well as a lower FDA content (15.12 %), unlike
the Estrella variety, which at 90 days had a higher protein content
(33.90
%). The Estrella variety had higher protein (29.90 %) and
NDF (37.57
%) contents; however, the Mansa variety had higher
total phenol content (4.78 mg) and ADF (16.90
%). The Estrella
variety showed the highest protein content in the 90-day harvest,
variety. Fat content was similar in both varieties. Phenols were
more prevalent in the Mansa variety, although both showed high
low concentrations of triterpenes, amino acids, and reducing sugars.
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2-6 |
Resumen
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst, es una planta
ampliamente distribuida en regiones tropicales y subtropicales,
reconocida por su alto valor nutricional y su adaptabilidad a
diversos ambientes. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la
composición química de dos variedades de chaya a distintas edades
de cosecha. Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente al azar
con arreglo factorial 2x4, considerando como factores las variedades
de chaya (Estrella y Mansa) y la edad de cosecha (60, 90, 120 y 150
días). Se analizó la composición química y la presencia de algunos
compuestos secundarios (fenoles, taninos, saponinas, catequinas y
de la interacción variedad vs edad de corte mostró, que la variedad
Mansa a los 120 días presentó un mayor contenido de grasa (7,04 %)
y de fenoles (5,39 mg.g
-1
), así como una menor presencia de FDA
(15,12 %), a diferencia de la variedad Estrella, que a los 90 días
presentó un mayor aporte proteico (33,90 %). La variedad Estrella
presentó un mayor contenido de proteína (29,90 %) y de FDN (37,57
%); sin embargo, la variedad Mansa mantuvo un mayor aporte de
fenoles totales (4,78 mg) y de FDA (16,90
%). Se concluye que
la variedad Estrella presentó el mayor contenido de proteína en la
cosecha a los 90 días, y FDN fue mayor en las primeras cosechas
(60 días) de la variedad Mansa, el contenido de grasa fue similar en
ambas variedades. Los fenoles fueron más frecuentes en la variedad
Mansa, aunque ambas mostraron altas concentraciones de taninos,
triterpenos, aminoácidos y azúcares reductores.
Palabras clave: berza, nutrientes, digestión, compuestos secundarios
Resumo
Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst, é uma planta
amplamente distribuída em regiões tropicais e subtropicais,
reconhecida por seu alto valor nutricional e adaptabilidade a diversos
ambientes. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a composição
química de duas variedades de chaya em diferentes idades de colheita
para alimentação animal. Foi utilizado um delineamento experimental
inteiramente casualizado com arranjo fatorial 2x4, considerando as
variedades de chaya (Estrella e Mansa) e a idade de colheita (60, 90,
120 e 150 dias) como fatores. A composição química e a presença de
alguns compostos secundários (fenóis, taninos, saponinas, catequinas
comparação de médias da interação variedade x idade de colheita foi
realizado. A análise do tempo de colheita mostrou que a variedade
Mansa, aos 120 dias, apresentou maior teor de gordura (7,04
%) e
de fenóis (5,39 mg.g
-1
), além de menor presença de FDA (15,12 %),
diferentemente da variedade Estrella, que aos 90 dias apresentou
maior teor de proteína (33,90
%). A variedade Estrella apresentou
maior teor de proteína (29,90
%) e FDN (37,57 %); entretanto, a
variedade Mansa manteve maior contribuição de fenóis totais (4,78
mg) e FDA (16,90
%). Conclui-se que a variedade Estrella apresentou
o maior teor de proteína na colheita aos 90 dias, e o teor de FDN foi
maior nas primeiras colheitas (60 dias) da variedade Mansa; o teor
de gordura foi similar em ambas as variedades. Os fenóis foram mais
frequentes na variedade Mansa, embora ambas tenham apresentado
e baixas concentrações de triterpenos, aminoácidos e açúcares
redutores.
Palavras-chave: berza, nutrientes, digestão, compostos secundários
Introduction
Population projections indicate that the global population will
reach 9 billion over the next 25 years. However, feed is one of the
most critical elements in livestock farming, given the high energy and
levels (Airoboman and Onobhayedo, 2022). From a forward-looking
capacity to improve diets and produce large quantities of palatable
biomass (Quiñones Chillambo et al.,.
The criteria set forth by Gary and Anderson (2019) indicate that
animal feed in stabled systems accounts for approximately 60-80 %
of production costs, primarily due to the consumption of proteins,
energy, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals required
to provide a balanced diet.
The nutritional value of food depends not only on its chemical
composition and the digestibility of its components, but also on the
maximum consumption by animals and on its impact on animal
health, development, and production capacity (Leroy et al., 2023).
In this regard, chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Mill. I.M. Johnst.)
belongs to Euphorbiaceae family (Cifuentes et al., 2010), it is a
perennial shrub widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions,
primarily in low deciduous forest and xerophytic scrubland areas of
Mexico (Kolterman et al., 1984), where 20 of the 50 existing species
originate (Kuri-García et al., 2017). It has also been recognized in
other Latin American countries and the southern United States for
its high nutritional value and adaptability to diverse environments
(Godínez-Santillán et al., 2019), where it has been used not only as
part of animal feed but also in human diets due to its ability to produce
calcium, potassium, and iron, and other essential nutrients (Chin-
Chan et al., 2021).
In recent years, strategies have been developed to manage this crop
and animal production (Amaya et al., 2020).
fundamental role due to its potential to improve the quality of animal
diets, especially in areas where feed resources are limited during certain
seasons. However, the chemical composition of chaya can vary with
nutritional value and suitability as livestock feed (Rodrigues et al., 2021).
Despite the extensive literature on the nutritional and medicinal
varieties of the plant has been little documented in Ecuador;
however, within the environment, these studies are limited despite
the widespread development of this crop, which is traditionally used
as a living fence for the isolation of animal species. In this context,
the objective of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition and
use as animal feed.
Materials and methods
Location
The
the grounds of the Faculty of Agrosciences of the Technical University
of Manabí, Ecuador, which is located in the Ánima site of the road
that connects Chone with Boyacá, located in the city of Chone, in
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3-6 |
the province of Manabí, geographically situated at the coordinates
00°41.248´S, 80°07.457´W, at an altitude of 10 msnm.
Obtaining and processing samples
For the collection of C. aconitifolius (Mansa and Estrella
varieties), the harvest was conducted by collecting leaf blades from
plants each, planted 80 centimeters apart and one meter between
rows. considering each plant as a repetition. Before harvesting, the
plants were cut to ensure uniformity; the activity was completed on
the same day, and plants were harvested at 60, 90, 120, and 150 days
during 2024.
The process began in April 2024, when the chaya plants were
equalized to take advantage of the rainy season and ensure adequate
forage development. Harvesting was performed manually, making
the cut 40 cm from the ground, and the samples were placed in jute
sacks for transport to the laboratory. There, the plant material was
at 55 °C for 24 hours.
Subsequently, the plant material was ground in an industrial mill
to a particle size of 1mm and then placed in ziploc bags.
Soil characteristics
The soils in the Chone canton have textures ranging from clay
loam to clay, with good water- and nutrient-retention capacity. They
possess medium to high natural fertility, which favors crops such
as corn, rice, cacao, plantains, pasture, and other tropical plants.
Studies conducted in various sectors of Chone show variable organic
matter content and pH levels, ranging from slightly acidic to neutral,
depending on whether the soil is used for agriculture or forestry
(Carrera et al., 2014).
Chemical analysis
The samples were previously labeled according to the treatments
and subsequently sent for analysis to the Bromatology Laboratory of
the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, where crude protein (%) was
determined according to the method described by the NTE INEN-ISO
20483 standard, Kjeldahl Methodology; fat (%) was evaluated by the
evaluation method of the NTE INEN-ISO 20483 standard; Neutral
Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) by using the
AOAC 962.09/ANKOM test method.
Preparation of extracts for phytochemical analysis
From the samples stored in amber bottles, one gram of powder
was weighed and suspended in 100 mL of 100
% ethanol and shaken
evaporator at 40 °C. The extract was then redissolved in one milliliter
of ethanol-methanol for phytochemical analysis.
Analysis of total phenol content
The phenolic content was analyzed using the Folin-Ciocalteu test
(Ardestani and Yazdanparast, 2007). The extracts were prepared after
the samples were dehydrated. Alcohol (96
%) was used as the solvent,
and the extracts were macerated under suitable conditions, free of
moisture and sunlight.
Subsequently, the solvent concentration and removal were
determined, and aliquots of the extract were prepared. These were
mixed with the reagent, and a 7
% sodium carbonate solution was
added to induce the characteristic blue color. The mixture was then
incubated in the dark for 30 minutes under ambient conditions.
Total phenol content was measured using a Genesys UV
spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 765 nm. Results were expressed
in mg GAE.g
-1
of dehydrated leaf.
Phytochemical screening of the treatments under study
Phytochemical screening of samples was conducted for each
species to detect secondary compounds. This was performed
in triplicate, qualitatively, for Tannins: (FeCl
3
test, Vanilin-Hy-
drocloride test and alkaline test), Saponins: (Froth forming test),
Catechins: Ferric chloride test, Flavonoids (Shinoda test and Zinc-
Hydrochloride test), Triterpenes: (Libermantest, Salkowsky test
and Noller test), Amino acids: (Ninhydrin test), Reducing sugars:
(Fehling’s test).
The assessment of the presence of secondary metabolites was
carried out through a qualitative evaluation with the following
evaluation parameters: (-) Absence; (+) Slight presence; (++) Notable
presence; (+++) Large presence.
Experimental design
The research employed a completely randomized design in a
factorial arrangement, with chaya varieties (Mansa and Estrella)
and cutting age (60, 90, 120, and 150 days) as factors. Each treatment
had three replicates, with one experimental unit per replicate.
Statistical Analysis
The data were analyzed using InfoStat. Tukey’s test was used to
was used for the ANOVA:
Where: Yij= response variable, µ= constant common to all
observations, Vchi= Choya variety (i=1, 2), Caj = cutting age
cutting age, e
ij
Results and discussion
variety and cutting stage (Figure 1), shows that the Estrella variety at
90 contributed the most, accounting for 33.90 %.
Y
ij
R+(Vch)
i
+(Ca)
j
+(Vch x Ca)
ij
+e
ij
1
Figure 1. Crude protein content in leaves of C. aconitifolius varieties
at dierent cutting ages.
a, b, c, d, e, f.
standard deviation. ±SE: Standard error of the mean. Ch_M:
120, and 150 days).
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A similar pattern was observed in the leaves of the Mansa variety
of chaya at 90 days, with a crude protein content of 33.9 %, which
decreased as leaf maturity, coinciding with the appearance of new
shoots on the foliage. However, the criteria presented by Ebel et al.
(2019) indicate that the presence of this nutrient in chaya leaves is
higher concentration during the early stages of growth, as well as by
the time of year, which includes environmental components that were
not controlled.
The results of Alcívar Acosta et al. (2023), who evaluated the
nutritional content of chaya leaves as an alternative for pig feed,
report a favorable crude protein content of 31.73
%, comparable to
the value reported in this study.
The results of the mean comparison analysis for the fat content
variable (Figure 2) in the chaya varieties with the four cutting stages
0.0214), where the Mansa variety
showed a superiority in the cut at 120 days with 7.04
%, while for the
Estrella variety at 90 days, they were lower with 4.25
%.
chaya forage. The results showed that the Mansa variety at 60 days
exceeded the NDF content by between 12-35
%, and the Estrella
variety by between 7-32
% at 150 days, both compared to the rest of
the treatments. While for ADF, the contents are relatively uniform.
and 150 days (Table 1).
Table 1. Fibrous fraction of leaves of C. aconitifolius varieties at
dierent cutting ages.
Variety Cutting age (Days) NDF ( %) ADF ( %)
Mansa 60 45.62±0.59
a
19.56±0.61
a
Mansa 90 40.09±1.14
b
19.37±0.63
a
Mansa 120 32.15±0.93
c
15.12±0.55
d
Mansa 150 26.75±1.40
d
13.55±0.06
e
Estrella 60 38.51±1.30
b
19.77±0.14
a
Estrella 90 39.12±0.83
b
19.42±0.72
a
Estrella 120 29.25±0.45
cd
16.44±0.55
c
Estrella 150 43.39±1.40
a
17.86±0.06
d
±SE
12.5 6.4
p-valor
0.001
a, b, c, d.
The mean comparison analysis for the NDF variable showed a
stages used in chaya forage. The results showed that the most
representative values were achieved for the Mansa variety at 60 days
and the Estrella variety at 150 days, with contents of 45.62
% and
43.39
%, respectively.
The NDF concentrations of the Mansa variety decreased from 60
to 150 days 41.36 %. Similar behavior is observed in the Estrella
%.
of tropical forages. Likewise,
this latter behavior is also
processes of the leaf cell walls due to the physiological maturation
processes of the leaves, which in turn can make them less digestible,
a fundamental element when included in the diet of animal species
(Guevara et al., 2021).
High levels of NDF in plant species are associated with a lower
percentage of digestibility and, consequently, a lower utilization of
available nutrients (Alcívar Acosta et al., 2023). These authors also
reports NDF and ADF values of 23.78 % and 11.94
%, respectively,
which are lower than those, reported in this study.
For the Mansa variety, the results show a greater decrease in this
component with increasing harvest age, reaching an ADF contribution
of 13.55
% by 150 days, the lowest value among the four harvests
conducted for both varieties. In the case of the Estrella variety, the
study results showed that ADF decreased for up to 120 days, and by
150 days, the indicator showed a slight upward trend.
ADF results are closely related to the amount of cell wall
compounds that are not digestible within the digestive tract of
animals. Hence, the presence of this compound determines forage
digestibility, and the primary objective is to achieve lower values that
et al., 2018).
Figure 2. Fat content in leaves of C. aconitifolius varieties at
dierent cutting ages.
a, b, c.
deviation. ±SE: Standard error of the mean. Ch_M: Chaya
l
and 150 days).
Similarly, one can to demonstrate that the cuts made at 60 and
150 days for the Mansa variable, and Estrella chaya at 60 days, show
a good fat content in the analyzed samples, which could be related to
sampling at an early age where this component is representative for
this type of plant matter; probably with its relationship with some
secondary components of the plant (Putri et al., 2025); in responses
to physiological or metabolic stress conditions in the region under
study. This will constitute a new line of research to pursue to identify
the reason for this close relationship.
Comparative studies between leafy plant species, including chaya,
document variability in fat content, with values ranging from 5.20 to
8.61 % (Castellón et al., 2024), which is within the range reported in
this research.
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Studies by Totakul et al. (2021), which analyzed the ADF content
% for NDF, which are much higher than those found in this research,
likely due to intra-species variability in Choya.
Analysis of total phenolic content across the studied treatments
(Figure 3) indicated that the interaction between harvest age and
highest values were recorded in the Mansa chaya variety at 120
days and in the Estrella variety at 60 days, with contents of 5.39 mg
GAE.g
-1
and 5.32 mg GAE.g
-1
, respectively.
Table 2. Phytochemical screening in leaves of two C. aconitifolius
varieties at dierent harvest stages.
Treatments
Varieties of C. aconitifolius
Mansa Estrella
Cutting age (days)
60 90 120 150 60 90 120 150
Tannins + + + + + ++ + +
Saponins +++ +++ ++ + ++ ++ +++ +
Catechists +++ ++ ++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++
Flavonoids + +++ ++ ++ +++ +++ ++ ++
Triterpenes - - - - - - - -
Amino acids - ++ - - + ++ - +
Reducing
sugars
+ + + + + + + +
The table presents the results of qualitative phytochemical screening: (-) Absence; (+) Slight
presence; (++) Notable presence; (+++) Large presence.
Ficus
capensis and C. aconitifolius, conducted by Ezeigwe et al. (2020),
% and
2.56
%, respectively, for C. aconitifolius, while the tannin content, at
5.70
%, was almost equal to that of saponins. Under the conditions of
the present study, the qualitative evaluation suggested a low to slight
presence of this compound.
In ruminants, moderate to high levels of dietary tannins have been
degradation, and facilitating their passage to the lower digestive
tract. Regarding saponins, research suggests that, at moderate
in the digestive tracts of animal species. Conversely, consumption in
high concentrations can cause intoxication (Sidana et al., 2016).
similar results to those obtained for the Estrella variety were reported
by Tinco-Jayo et al. (2024) in atomized extracts of leaves and stems
of C. diacanthus
were absent from the Chaya varieties in all four harvests. The results
of Ngoc Thuy et al.
which document a high level of presence in chaya leaves and stems.
The presence of amino acids was only notable at early ages in both
varieties.
Regarding reducing sugars, Alcívar Acosta et al. (2023), in
characterizing the nutritional potential of various plant species,
reported that chaya had a notable concentration, close to the
descriptive value reported in this research.
Conclusions
The chemical composition analysis and phytochemical screening
showed variability depending on the age and variety of chaya. The
Estrella variety had the highest protein content at the 90-day harvest.
were more prevalent in the Mansa variety, although both showed high
low concentrations of triterpenes, amino acids, and reduce sugars.
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a, b, c.
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