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The nutritive value of chaya leaf meal

(Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.)
Johnston): studies with broiler
chickens
Armstrong Donkoh

Animal Feed Science and Technology

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 Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172

Short communication

The nutritive value of chaya leaf meal (Cnidoscolus

aconitifolius (Mill.) Johnston): studies
with broiler chickens
A. Donkoh*, C.C. Atuahene, Y.B. Poku-Prempeh, I.G. Twum
Department of Animal Science, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Received 15 January 1998; accepted 18 August 1998

Abstract

Chaya leaf meal (CLM) (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) Johnston) was evaluated as a poultry
feed ingredient in a series of two pilot studies. In experiment I, diets containing 0, 25, 50 and 75 g
CLM kgÿ1 were fed, ad libitum, to 480 day-old broiler chicks for a period of 8 weeks. Birds had
free access to water. The concentration of CLM in the diet had no effect on feed consumption.
Overall significant correlations were found between the concentrations of CLM in the diet and
weight gain (r ˆ ÿ0.98) and feed : gain ratio (r ˆ 0.99). The level of CLM in the diet was shown to
be strongly correlated with the carcass dressing percentage (r ˆ ÿ0.97). Mortality rates of birds fed
CLM-containing diets were markedly lower than those fed the chaya-free diet. Increased
concentrations of red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit and decreased total serum cholesterol
as well as increased liver and heart weights were observed in birds fed diets containing high
amounts of CLM. CLM could be included in chicks' diet at concentrations up to 25 g kgÿ1 without
an adverse effect on performance. In experiment II, 240 broiler chicks were fed diets containing 0
or 25 g CLM kgÿ1 and with or without 100 g oil palm slurry (OPS) kgÿ1 from day-old to 8 weeks of
age. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous but not isoenergetic. The OPS-containing diets
were higher in energy content. Birds fed the OPS diet and the chaya leaf meal (CLM)-and oil palm
slurry (OPS)-combined diet gained the highest (p<0.01) weight. The efficiency of feed utilisation
was similar to that of body weight gains. Carcass dressing percentage followed the same trend.
Furthermore, mortality rates of birds fed CLM-free diets were markedly higher than those fed the
CLM-containing diets. # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolious; Oil palm slurry; Chickens; Broilers; Growth performance; Blood
parameters

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +233-51-60325.

0377-8401/99/$ ± see front matter # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
PII: S 0 3 7 7 - 8 4 0 1 ( 9 8 ) 0 0 2 3 1 - 4
164 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172

1. Introduction

There has been much interest over recent years in exploring alternative feedingstuffs
because of rising costs for conventional dietary ingredients. This presentation seeks to
draw attention to chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) as a potential ingredient for poultry
diet. Results of studies conducted (Diaz-Bolio, 1974; Martin and Ruberte, 1978; Donkoh
et al., 1990) to evaluate the chemical composition of chaya leaves have been encouraging
to warrant further research. Chaya leaf meal (CLM) has a high concentration of protein
(296.2 g kgÿ1 dry matter) and a good essential amino acid profile relative to non-
ruminant (chick) requirements (Donkoh et al., 1990). There are no reports in the literature
as to the utilisation of chaya as a feed ingredient for poultry. It is, however, possible that
its inclusion in diets at relatively low concentrations might help to reduce costs.
Two pilot trials, herein reported, have therefore been conducted on the feeding
potential of chaya leaf meal in relation to poultry.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Preparation of samples

Samples of green chaya leaves were harvested. The leaves were air dried, ground and
stored in polythene sacks until used in formulations.

2.2. Chemical analysis

Proximate analysis of CLM (dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash and crude
fibre) was carried out using the standard procedures of the Association of Official
Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 1990). Acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre
(NDF) and hemicellulose (Goering and van Soest, 1970) were also estimated on the CLM
samples. Mineral analysis followed the procedure of Fick et al. (1979). The metabolisable
energy (ME) of CLM was determined by the chromic oxide indicator method (Hill et al.,
1960) using glucose as the reference standard and correcting for nitrogen retention.
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and oxalate (AOAC, 1990) contents were also estimated.
The chemical and amino acid composition of the CLM are presented in Table 1.
Amino acid determinations in CLM were performed by the column chromatographic
technique using automated Hitachi-Perkin-Elmer amino acid analyzer (Model KLA-3B,
Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) after hydrolysis of 100 mg of CLM samples with 10 ml 6 M HCl
solution at 1108C for 24 h. Methionine and cystine were determined using the performic
acid oxidation method (Moore, 1963). Tryptophan, being destroyed during acid
hydrolysis, was determined chemically by the procedure described by Miller (1967).

2.3. Experiment 1

2.3.1. Dietary treatments

Four experimental diets (Table 2) were formulated: a control diet containing
no chaya leaf meal (CLM) and others in which CLM was incorporated at 25, 50
 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172 165

Table 1
Chemical composition of chaya leaf meala

Component Dry matter (g kgÿ1)

Proximate analysis
Dry matter 902.4
Crude protein 269.5
Ether extract 38.9
Crude fibre 116.4
Ash 143.7
Fibre components
Neutral detergent fibre 158.3
Acid detergent fibre 131.6
Hemicellulose 26.7
Mineral elements
Calcium 87.5
Phosphorus 7.7
Magnesium 4.8
Iron 18.6
Potassium 7.0
Manganese 0.1
Sodium 2.9
Amino acid
Arginine 21.5
Cystine 4.1
Histidine 7.2
Isoleucine 10.5
Leucine 18.6
Lysine 14.5
Methionine 3.6
Phenylalanine 14.3
Threonine 10.5
Tryptophan 2.4
Valine 16.2
Other organic components
Hydrogen cyanide 1.02
Oxalate 0.85
MEnb (MJ kgÿ1) 5.52
a
The values are the means of three samples.
b
Estimated according to the method of Hill et al. (1960).

and 75 g kgÿ1. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and

isoenergetic.

2.3.2. Experimental animals and management

Four hundred and eighty unsexed commercial broiler day-old (Cobb-100 strain) chicks
were individually weighed and alloted randomly to the four dietary treatments. Each
treatment was replicated three times. The birds were placed and reared in deep litter pens.
Feed and water were provided ad libitum for the ensuing 8 weeks. Chickens were
166 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172

Table 2
Composition of diets fed to day-old broiler chickens in Experiments I and II

Ingredients (g kgÿ1)a Level of chaya leaf meal (g kgÿ1)

0 (Control) 25 50 75

Experiment I
Maize 600.0 600.0 600.0 600.0
Fishmeal (63% CP) 180.0 175.0 170.0 165.0
Chaya leaf meal 0.0 25.0 50.0 75.0
Wheat bran 130.0 110.0 90.0 70.0
Chemical analysis (g kgÿ1 DM)
Crude protein 214.2 214.7 215.1 215.6
Crude fibre 34.2 34.8 35.5 36.1
Ether extract 36.5 36.7 36.8 36.9
Lysine 12.4 12.4 12.4 12.6
Calcium 14.7 16.7 18.7 20.6
Phosphorus 8.2 8.1 7.9 7.7
MEn (MJ kgÿ1)c 11.54 11.52 11.49 11.47

Experiment II

Dietary treatment

Control CLM OPS CLM ‡ OPS

Maize 600.0 600.0 500.0 500.0

Fishmeal (63% CP) 180.0 175.0 180.0 175.0
Chaya leaf meal 0.0 25.0 0.0 25.0
Oil palm slurry 0.0 0.0 100.0 100.0
Wheat bran 130.0 110.0 130.0 110.0
Chemical analysis (g kg1 DM)
Crude protein 214.2 214.7 209.7 210.2
Crude fibre 34.2 34.8 32.0 32.6
Ether extract 36.5 36.7 92.7 92.9
Lysine 12.4 12.4 12.3 12.3
Calcium 14.7 16.7 14.9 16.9
Phosphorus 8.2 8.1 8.2 8.0
MEn (MJ kgÿ1)c 11.54 11.52 12.46 12.44
a
Each diet also contained (g kgÿ1): cotton seed meal (40.0), brewer's yeast (20.0), oyster shell (20.0), vitamin
and mineral premix (5.0)b and salt (NaCl) (5.0).
b
Premix supplied (kgÿ1 diet): vitamin A, 10,000IU; vitamin D3, 2000IU; vitamin E, 10IU; vitamin K, 3 mg;
riboflavin, 2.5 g; cobalamin, 0.05 mg; pantothenic acid, 5 mg; niacin, 12.5 mg; choline, 175 mg; folic acid,
0.5 mg; Mg, 2.8 mg; Fe, 0.5 mg; Cu, 50 mg; Zn, 25 mg; Co, 62.5 mg.
c
Calculated from data of NRC (1994) and the estimated metabolisable energy value of CLM.

vaccinated against Gumboro and Newcastle diseases. They were protectively medicated
for Coccidiosis at 3 days of age and again during the third week.

2.3.3. Parameters measured

Bodyweight gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency (feed : gain) were
determined on a weekly basis for individual replicates of each dietary treatment. Records
of mortality were also kept. All sick and dead chickens were sent to the Veterinary
 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172 167

Laboratory for post-mortem examination. At 56 days of age, four broilers from each of
the 12 replicates were selected at random, starved of feed for 18 h to empty their crops,
killed by cervical dislocation, exsanguinated, defeathered and eviscerated. Carcass
dressing percentages were calculated from eviscerated weight and liveweight.

2.3.4. Blood collection and assays

To avoid a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia (Christie, 1978) caused by repeated
bleeding, the birds were bled only at 5 and 7 weeks of age between 09.00 and 11.00
hours. The birds were fasted for 12 h prior to the collection of blood specimens to avoid
postprandial lipemia (Kirk et al., 1990). Various blood parameters studied included: red
blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin, haematocrit (packed cell volume, PCV) and blood
cholesterol. The series of blood tests were performed on blood drawn from the brachial
vein. Blood samples for the haematological tests were mixed with the dipotassium salt of
EDTA (1.5 mg mlÿ1 blood) as anticoagulant. Erythrocyte (RBC) counting method was
similar to that described by Maxwell (1981). Two separate counts were made for each
blood sample and the mean of the two counts calculated. The quantity of haemoglobin
and the haematocrit (PCV) values were respectively determined by the cyanmethaemo-
globin and microhematocrit methods (Dacie and Lewis, 1975) using the average of
duplicate samples. Blood samples for serum cholesterol were allowed to clot to obtain
serum and analysed in duplicate for total cholesterol by the procedure outlined by Varley
(1962).

2.3.5. Organ weights

At 56 days of age, the possible effects of CLM on the weight of some body organs were
also assessed. Six birds from each of the 12 replicates with body weight around the mean,
were selected and killed by cervical dislocation. The heart, liver and gizzard were
excised, weighed immediately and expressed as g kgÿ1 bodyweight.

2.3.6. Statistical analysis

The data obtained were analysed statistically using the General Linear Models
procedure of SAS (1987).

2.4. Experiment II

A second feeding trial was carried out to study the effects of CLM, with or without oil
palm slurry (OPS), an agro-industrial waste, on the performance of 240 Cobb-100 broiler
chickens from day-old to 8 weeks of age. The OPS used in this study was estimated to
contain 23.44 g MJ kgÿ1 of metabolisable energy. The composition of the diets used in
experiment II were not isoenergetic and are presented in Table 2. The birds were divided
into four treatment groups of 60 each with three replicates per treatment. Management,
including medication, and data collection procedures for feed intake, bodyweight gain,
feed conversion efficiency, mortality and carcass dressing percentage were as described in
Experiment I.
Statistical analysis was accomplished by the analysis of variance technique (SAS,
1987) and differences between means determined by the multiple range test.
168 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Experiment I

The results are summarised in Table 3. Average feed consumption per bird for the 8-
week period ranged from 4.31 to 4.37 kg. Feed intake was not significantly affected by
the inclusion of CLM in the diets. The non-significant effect of CLM inclusion in the diet
on feed intake suggests that chicks will consume diets containing up to 75 g CLM kgÿ1.
Weight gains of chicks fed on the control diet containing no CLM were not different
(p > 0.5) from those given the diet containing 25 g CLM kgÿ1. However, chicks fed on
diets containing higher concentrations of CLM (50 and 75 g CLM kgÿ1 diets) had
significantly (p < 0.01) lower weight gains. Weight gain was related to the level of CLM
inclusion by the equation
Y …weight gain† ˆ 1:98 ÿ 0:003X …r ˆ ÿ0:96; p < 0:01†
where X ˆ level of CLM in the diet.
The efficiency with which feed was converted to gain (feed conversion efficiency)
progressively declined with increasing concentrations of CLM in the diets. Regression of

Table 3
Effect of chaya leaf meal on broiler chicken performance from 1 to 56 days of age and blood componentsa and
organ weights determined at 56 days of age

Response criteria Level of chaya leaf meal (g kgÿ1) SEM r values and level
of significance
0 25 50 75

Feed intake (kg) 4.32 4.37 4.36 4.31 0.01 ÿ0.18

Protein intake (kg) 925.34 938.24 937.84 929.24 2.78 0.23
ME intake (MJ) 49.85 50.34 50.10 49.44 0.17 ÿ0.49
Weight gain (kg) 1.96 1.92 1.80 1.72 0.05 ÿ0.98**
Feed conversion ratio 2.20 2.28 2.42 2.51 0.06 0.99**
(feed/kg weight gain)
Dressing percentage (%) 71.00 70.70 68.80 67.50 0.73 ÿ0.97**
Red blood cell count 2.56 2.61 3.45 3.99 0.30 0.95**
(millions mÿ3)
Haemoglobin 13.50 13.80 14.90 15.60 0.42 0.98**
(g 100 mlÿ1)
Haematocrit (%) 34.60 34.70 35.90 36.80 0.45 0.96**
Total serum cholesterol 98.52 98.01 92.36 88.62 2.06 ÿ0.96**
(mg 100 mlÿ1)
Heart weight (%) 3.60 3.40 4.40 4.90 0.30 0.90**
Liver weight (%) 19.00 18.00 23.00 25.00 1.43 0.89**
Gizzard weight (%) 20.14 19.88 20.18 20.19 0.06 0.39
Mortality (%) 15.00 3.33 3.33 4.17 2.47 ÿ0.74*
a
Estimated at 5 and 7 weeks of age.
SEM ± standard error of means; r ± correlation coefficient.
**
p < 0.01.
*
p < 0.05.
 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172 169

efficiency of feed utilisation against dietary CLM concentration yielded the linear
equation
Y …feed : gain† ˆ 2:19 ‡ 0:004X …r ˆ 0:99; p < 0:01†:
In spite of their ability to consume diets containing up to 75 g CLM kgÿ1, birds could
not utilise the chaya-based diets as efficiently for growth. The reduced weight gain and
ability to utilise CLM-based diets efficiently for growth was principally caused by the
dietary level fed. Chemical analysis of CLM used indicated that it contained oxalates and
HCN, a cyanogenic glycoside. Telek (1983) indicated that oxalate-containing plants may
also contain nitrates or cyanogenic glycosides. The cyanogenic glycosides contained in
chaya leaves are identical to the type found in cassava or tapioca (NAS, 1975; Newton,
1984; Donkoh et al., 1990). Generally, intact glycosides are not toxic, but become so after
the compound is hydrolysed to release free HCN. Hydrocyanic acid toxicity has been
associated with growth depression in poultry (Yoshida et al., 1966; Vogt, 1966).
The level of CLM in the diet gave a correlation coefficient of ÿ0.97 when linearly
regressed against carcass dressing percentage indicating CLM exerted influence on this
parameter.
The effects of variation in dietary CLM level on blood components are shown in
Table 3. In this trial, there was a significant increase in the erythrocyte count,
haemoglobin and haematocrit values but a reduction in the total cholesterol level in birds
fed on diets which contained 50 and 75 g CLM kgÿ1. These physiological parameters
were related to dietary CLM by the following equations:
Erythrocyte count : Y ˆ 2:38 ‡ 0:021X …r ˆ 0:95; p < 0:01†
Haemoglobin : Y ˆ 13:34 ‡ 0:030X …r ˆ 0:98; p < 0:01†
PCV : Y ˆ 34:33 ‡ 0:031X …r ˆ 0:96; p < 0:01†
Total cholesterol : Y ˆ 99:68 ÿ ÿ0:14X …r ˆ ÿ0:96; p < 0:01†
The influence of CLM on blood components confirms literature reports of the
hydrogen cyanide and oxalate effects on red blood cells. Hydrocyanic acid forms
cyanmethemoglobin in the red blood cells (Telek, 1983). Furthermore, oxalate-containing
plants may also have nitrates or cyanogenic glycosides, which can increase the severity of
the effect of methemoglobinemia. Based on this evidence, it is assumed that the
significant increase in erythrocyte count, haemoglobin levels and the haematocrit values
of birds fed on high dietary CLM levels could be due to the effect of hydrogen cyanide
and oxalate contained in CLM. Furthermore, the results of the present study indicate that
CLM is a potential hypocholesterolemic agent which is in agreement with the report of
Diaz-Bolio (1974) that chaya leaves lower blood cholesterol levels.
The heart and liver weights for birds fed on diets containing 50 and 75 g CLM kgÿ1
were significantly increased. The gizzard weights were not significantly different from
those fed the control diet. Organ weights expressed as g kgÿ1 bodyweight were related to
the level of CLM inclusion by the equations:

Heart : Y ˆ 3:34 ‡ 0:020X …r ˆ 0:90; p < 0:01†

Liver : Y ˆ 17:8 ‡ 0:092X …r ˆ 0:89; p < 0:01†
Gizzard : Y ˆ 20:03 ‡ 0:0018X …r ˆ 0:39; p > 0:01†:
170 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172

Table 4
Effect of chaya leaf meal (CLM) and oil palm slurry (OPS) on the performance of broiler chickens from 1 to 56
days of age, Experiment II

Response criteria Dietary treatment SEM

Control CLM OPS CLM ‡ OPS

a a a
Feed intake (kg) 4.42 4.45 4.34 4.38a 0.02
Protein intake (kg) 946.76a 955.42a 910.10b 920.67b 9.25
ME intake (MJ) 51.01a 51.26a 54.08b 54.49b 0.79
Weight gain (kg) 1.70a 1.73a 1.89b 1.96b 0.05
Feed conversion ratio 2.60a 2.57a 2.30b 2.23b 0.08
(feed/kg weight gain)
Dressing percentage (%) 69.40a 69.90a 71.20b 72.30b 0.59
Mortality (%) 20.00a 6.67b 16.70a 5.00b 3.20

SEM ± standard error of means.

a,b
Means within a row showing different superscripts are significantly different (p < 0.05).

A total of 31 mortality cases were recorded during the experimental period (Table 3).
Out of this 18 occurred among birds fed on the CLM-free diet, four each from those on 25
and 50 g CLM kgÿ1 diet and five from birds fed on diet containing 75 g CLM kgÿ1. The
mortality rates of birds fed chaya were markedly lower than those fed the chaya-free diet.
This trend is difficult to interpret.

3.2. Experiment II

A summary of the results is presented in Table 4. Average feed consumption per bird
varied between diets; but were not different (p > 0.05).
The weight gains of birds fed OPS and CLM- and OPS-combined diets were the
highest (1.89 and 1.96 kg), respectively. The efficiency of feed utilisation was similar to
that of the body weight gains. In general, birds fed the CLM- and OPS-combined diet
converted feed to body weight more efficiently than those on the other diets. The carcass
dressing percentages by diets were similar.
The experimental diets were not isoenergetic and this had a definite impact upon the
results noted. The improved performance of birds fed on the OPS-containing diets might
be attributed to the fact that the inclusion of OPS resulted in increased metabolisable
energy concentrations of the diets (Table 2). Published evidence indicates that higher
energy diets furnish more energy for the utilisation of protein for growth than do lower
energy diets (Dale and Fuller, 1980). Atuahene et al. (1987) reported similar
improvements in growth and feed conversion efficiency of chickens fed diets which
contained 100 g OPS kgÿ1.
Mortality among birds fed the CLM-containing diets were markedly (p < 0.05) lower
than the CLM-free diets. The results obtained in the second study with respect to
mortality confirm the findings reported in Experiment I in which birds fed diets
containing CLM suffered less severe mortality. The results of the two studies herein
reported indicate a positive feeding value of CLM for domestic chickens.
 A. Donkoh et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 77 (1999) 163±172 171

It is concluded that further studies with CLM are justified. It appears that CLM has the
potential to be a protein source to the diets of animals. One disadvantage is the presence
of the toxic cyanogenic glycosides in the leaves.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Gyedu-Baah Apanin and F.A. Kwarteng for technical assistance,
S.S. Yambillah for the chemical analysis and Ms. Emma Beatrice Akyeampong for her
secretarial assistance.

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