Effect of Different Varieties, Processing Methods, Harvesting Times, and Storage Periods on the Quality of Maca

Maca, Lepidium meyenii Walpers (Brassicaceae), has been the subject of much research due to its unique biological activity. Maca is widely distributed in Yunnan Province, China, but is not well recognized in the market. In this study, through a chemical analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and principal component analysis (PCA), the nutritional and bioactive components of different varieties, processing methods, harvesting times, and storage periods of maca were determined and analyzed. The results indicated that whole maca when dried at 35°C, harvested around the winter solstice and planted at an altitude of about 3,000 meters was favorable for the production of nutrients and bioactive components. Compared to black maca, yellow maca had higher levels of glucosinolates, flavonoids, alkaloids and macamides. In addition, a shorter storage period (less than one year) of maca leads to a higher content of bioactive components. The findings here provide a scientific basis for the cultivation and origin processing of maca.