CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF LEPIDIUM-MEYENII

Lepidium meyenii Walpers, a tuber of Andine origin still cultivated in Peru for local preparation, was studied. The carbohydrate, lipid, pro tein, fibre and also the amino-acid, fatty acid, mineral and sterol fr actions were determined. The results show that the tuber is nutritiona lly interesting. Alkaloid-like compounds were also found. It is conclu ded that this tuber can be a food source in countries, where economic and technological conditions are inadequate to combat malnutrition.