Nutritional evaluation of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) in albino mice and theirdescendant

The Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between the 3700 and 4500 masl at the Peruvian Andes. Traditionally it is a ttributed nutritional, energizing, fertilizing properties among others. Wit h the purpose of evaluate scientifically the nutritional property of Maca, we carried out a controlled study in two generations of albino Swiss mice ( parents and breeding). The parents were aleatorily assigned to one of three nutritional schedules. The food of each group was prepared based on powder from a commercial balanced food (CBF) of which 30% was replaced by raw or cooked Maca according to the corresponding group or pure CBF in the control group. The groups were this way: 1) Raw Maca Group; 2) Cooked Maca Group; and, 3) Control Group. The results showed that the curves of growth were si milar and adequate for the three groups. However, the cooked Maca group sho wed the best curve. These data were better observable in the second generat ion of animals, with significant statistical difference (p<0,05). The CBF g roup had a better growth than raw Maca group. No signs of malnutrition nor overweight were observed in none of the groups. The serum values of total p roteins and albumin were statistically superior for the mice group eating c ooked Maca than that of the raw Maca and CBF groups. This study demonstrate s, in a scientifical evaluation, one of the traditionally attributed proper ties of Maca, the nutritional capability.