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IMaca is a plant from the Cruciferae
family, which contains very important crops, such as common
cabbage, mustard and radish. Maca has been cultivated since
the Inca period in the high mountains of the Central Andes,
between 3,800 and 4,200 meters above sea level; several
Spanish chroniclers have mentioned the importance of this
plant in the feeding of certain regional populations (Obregon,
1998).
Since the 1960s, serious research has been undertaken in
relation to maca’s nutritional values (Obregón.1998),
confirming the traditional claims of maca’s contribution to
human health. Maca’s high nutritional value comes from the
fact that its flour contains about 59% carbohydrates, 14%
proteins, 9% fiber and 2% lipids among other components (Garró,
1972; Garró, Leóny Julca, 1993, and Deni A., Migliuolo
G,Rastrelli L., Saturnino P., and Schefino 0.; 1994;
Cabiesos 1997). Specifically, maca contains, I) a large
number of essential amino acids, such as aspartic acid,
glutamic acid, serine, glycine, arginine, valine and lysine
(Garro, 1972); ii) fatty acids: palmatic acids, linoleic
acid and saturated fatty acids; iii) minerals(mg/l00g), Fe
16.6, Mn 0.8, Cu 5.9, Zn 3.8, Na 18.7, K 2,050 and Ca 150,
and iv) vitamins, Thyamine B1), Riboflavin (B2), Vitamin C
and B (Garró, 1972 and Deni A., et al, 1994).
However, the major importance of Maca flour comes from the
combination of its nutritional elements with other
components giving heightened nutritional/medicinal effects.
Thus, I) 4 alkaloids named macama 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been
detected, which stimulate the reproductive system of both
sexes (Chacón, 1962; Garró, Leon, and Julca, 1993); it is
considered that the alkaloids in maca activate the
calcitonine hormone that regulates calcium and phosphorus
metabolism and activates the parathonnone involved with same
metabolism; H) the high presence of the amino-acids lysine
and arginine in maca has an effect on the regulation of
female and male fertility respectively; arginine constitutes
80% of male reproductive cells, thus, maca could solve
problems related to deficiency of these amino acids, leading
to lack of sexual desire and originating certain types of
male and female infertility; iii) among its components are
certain sterols, (Espinoza and Poma, 1995): Brassycosterol,
Ergosterol, Carnpesterol, delta 7.22 Ergostadienol, and
specially Sitosterol (Dini A. et al 1994).
Correction of menopause problems and an increase in female
fertility are attributed to maca sterols and lysine; iv)
glucosinolates have been found, specially benzyl
isotiocyanate (Johns, 1980); this author finds that
worldwide, plants with glucosinolates, like maca, are
consumed because of their action on reproductive hormonal
processes, and v) fructose, a monosaccharide sugar with
173.3 degree of sweetness, superior to glucose, is present;
fructose is recommended for combating athletes’ fatigue;
fructose is a sugar utilized by seminal plasma to give
energy to spermatozoids. Maca stimulates the functions of
endocrine system allowing adults to continue enjoying sexual
activities until advanced age (Walker).
Tests have been carried out on guinea pigs, frogs, cattle,
sheep and certain observations made with human beings,
showing, i) increase in female fertility and the production
of seminal fluid in males; H) animals fed with maca had the
same weight as those fed on other products, but, those fed
with maca were more active and energetic, that is to say,
maca is a great source of energy without fattening; iii)
young born from female fed on maca had higher birth weight;
iv) it controls rickets and osteomalacia in children and
adults; v) it revitalizes physical and intellectual
capabilities, vi) it is effective against premature ageing
and organic feebleness with the loss of energy, and allows
sexual activities until advanced age and vii) it controls
different kinds of anemia.
In summary, the Peruvian Andes offers maca as one of the
best natural revitalizing and invigorating substances that
exit.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Diui A., Migliuolo G.,Rastrelli L., Saturnino P. and
Schettino 0., “Chemical composition of Lepidiuni meyenii”,
in Food Chemestry, London, UK, 1994.
Chacón G., Estudio fitopulmico de Lepidium mevenii.
Universidad Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 1962.
Espinosa, C.L. y Poma I. P., Determinación de aminoacidos
esenciales de la maca (Lepidiuin metenifil y elaboración de
una mezcla protéica a base de alimentos andinos, Tesis,
Facultad de Ingenierla en Industrias Alimentarias,
Universidad Nacional del Centro del Peru, Huancayo, 1995
Fitomédica, “Maca, ginsen andino”, en Fitomédica, Madrid,
1998.
Garró Virginia, Nuevo sistema de solventes para
cromatografia dc aminoácidos v participación cuantitativa de
L-valina y L-metionina. Tesis Doctoral, Universidad Nacional
Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru, 1972.
Garró V., Leon Luis y Julca Betty, Extracción. separación e
identificacon por cromatografia de alcaloides de Lepiditun
meyenii (Maka), Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos,
Lima, 1993
Johns, Timothy A., Ethnobotany and Phitochemistry of
Tropaeolum Tuberosum and Lepidium Meyenii from Andean South
America, Tesis doctoral, University of British Columbia,
Canada,1980.
Obregon, L., Maca. Planta medicinal y nutritiva del Peru.
Instituto de Fitoterapia Americana,
Lima, Peru, 1998.
Walker Morton, “Effects of Peruvian Maca on Hormonal
Functions”, en Townsend Letters for Doctors and
Patients-Connecticut, USA, Noviembre 1998.
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