Currently, commercial maca supply presents the consumer with a variety of products made through very different processes and with no defined information on composition, potency and effects. Additionally, there is lack of knowledge on bioactive principles generated during its industrial transformation. The project sought to explore mechanisms that allow for generating a standard quality product with presentations focused on different applications and new (pharmaceutical) markets, and for achieving standardization in the maca production process as from its harvest to optimize its bioactive components, because it is known that the maca chemical profile varies due the post-harvest and productive process. The results of a previous project, carried out within the Peru Biodiverso Program (GTZ-FDA-CONCYTEC), show that the traditional drying process is fundamental for the chemical profile variation and the post-harvest synthesis of bio-active amides in maca.

• Eric G. Cosio (PI, PUCP)
• Eliana Esparza (Research associate, PUCP)
• Gustavo Gonzales (Co-researcher, UPCH)

• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru
  • Institute for Nature, Earth and Energy
  • Chemical Section, Science Department
• Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
  • Endocrinology and Reproduction Laboratory
• Ecoandino SAC
• Zanaceutica SRL
• Asociación de Productores de la Meseta del Bombón