Research Article | 24 Apr 2026

Preliminary in vitro evaluation of the nutritional characteristics of Tithonia diversifolia forage meal for pig diets

Jose Alberto de la Torres Moreira1 , Verónica Cristina Andrade Yucailla2 , Johana Elizabeth Delgado Lozada1 , Milton Andres Montalvo Lozada1 , and Raciel Lima Orozco3,4 Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 1484-1494 | Vol. 19, Issue 4 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2026.1484-1494
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: The increasing cost of conventional feed ingredients and the demand for sustainable alternatives have intensified the search for unconventional forage resources in pig nutrition. Tithonia diversifolia is a fast-growing tropical shrub with high biomass yield and promising nutritional composition. However, its application in monogastric feeding systems remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, amino acid profile, and in vitro digestibility of T. diversifolia forage meal at graded inclusion levels in pig diets. 
Materials and Methods: Forage samples of T. diversifolia were harvested in Napo, Ecuador, processed into meal, and subjected to proximate and amino acid analyses. Five experimental diets containing 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% forage meal inclusion were formulated. Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were assessed with four replicates per treatment. Digestible energy, metabolizable energy (ME) for growing pigs, ME for finishing pigs, and net energy were estimated using established regression equations. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, with significance declared at p < 0.05. 
Results: T. diversifolia meal exhibited high crude protein and mineral content but also elevated fiber and lignin levels. The amino acid profile showed appreciable concentrations of leucine, valine, and lysine, whereas methionine and tryptophan were limited. Inclusion of T. diversifolia significantly reduced in vitro dry matter digestibility compared to the control diet (p < 0.05), although no significant differences were observed among inclusion levels from 10% to 25%. Crude protein and neutral detergent fiber content varied significantly among treatments (p < 0.05), while other proximate parameters remained stable. Estimated energy values did not differ significantly across diets (p > 0.05), despite a numerical decline with increasing inclusion levels. 
Conclusion: T. diversifolia forage meal demonstrates potential as a protein- and mineral-rich alternative ingredient in pig diets. Inclusion levels up to 25% maintained acceptable in vitro digestibility and energy values, although higher fiber and lignin contents may limit nutrient utilization at elevated levels. Moderate inclusion levels are recommended to balance nutritional benefits and digestibility constraints. Further in vivo studies are required to validate its practical application and effects on animal performance. 
          
Keywords: amino acid profile, in vitro digestibility, monogastric nutrition, net energy estimation, non-conventional forage, pig diets, sustainable feed resources, Tithonia diversifolia.