MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is the root of a vegetable native to the Andes region of Peru. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is also known as "Peruvian ginseng," even though it doesn't belong to the same botanical family as ginseng.

CAS Number: 315315-24-3
EC Number: Not specifically assigned
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Lepidium
Species: L. meyenii
Binomial name: Lepidium meyenii Walp.

SYNONYMS:
Maca Root Extract, Lepidium meyenii Extract, Peruvian Ginseng Extract, Maca Andina Extract, Maca Powder Extract, Maca Root Powder Extract, Lepidium peruvianum Extract, Maca Lepidium Extract, Lepidium peruvianum, Ayak Chichira, Ayuk Willku, Ginseng Andin, Ginseng Péruvien, Lepidium meyenii, Lepidium peruvianum, Maca Maca, Maca Péruvien, Maino, Maka, Peruvian Ginseng, Peruvian Maca

The prominent product for export is maca flour, a baking flour ground from the hard, dried roots. 
It is called harina de maca. 
Maca flour (powder) is a relatively inexpensive bulk commodity, like wheat flour or potato flour. 

The supplement industry uses both dry roots and maca flour for different types of processing and concentrated extracts. 
Another common form is maca, processed by gelatinization. 
This extrusion process separates and removes the tough fiber from the roots using gentle heat and pressure, as raw maca is difficult to digest due to its thick fibers.

Archaeological evidence exists for varying degrees of cultivation of maca in the Lake Junin region from around 1700 BC to 1200 AD.
Maca has been harvested and used by humans in the puna grasslands of the Andean Mountains for centuries. 
Contrary to frequent claims that maca cultivation was common in what is today Peru, until the late 1980s, maca has been cultivated only in a limited area around Lake Junin in central Peru. 

Historically, maca was often traded for lowland tropical food staples, such as maize, rice, manioc (tapioca roots), quinoa, and papaya. 
It also was used as a form of payment for Spanish imperial taxes.
Sometimes known as Peruvian ginseng, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract comes from the root of a plant that grows in the Andes Mountains. 

The Indigenous people of Peru have used Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract as both food and medicine for centuries. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract belongs to the same family of plants as turnips and broccoli. 
The root contains amino acids, iron, calcium, and several compounds unique to the maca plant. 

As an herbal medicine, it has been used to improve sexual function, fertility, and health. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is the root of a vegetable native to the Andes region of Peru. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is also known as "Peruvian ginseng," even though it doesn't belong to the same botanical family as ginseng.

The growth habit, size, and proportions of maca are roughly similar to those of radishes and turnips, to which it is related, but it also resembles a parsnip. 
The green, fragrant tops are short and lie along the ground.

The thin, frilly leaves sprout in a rosette at the soil surface, not growing more than 12–20 cm (4.7–7.9 in) in height. 
The leaves show a dimorphism according to the reproductive stage. 
They are more prominent in the vegetative phase and continuously renew from the center as the outer leaves die. 

The off-white, self-fertile flowers are borne on a central raceme, and are followed by 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) siliculate fruits, each containing two small 2.0–2.5 mm (0.079–0.098 in) reddish-gray ovoid seeds. 
Seeds are the maca's only means of reproduction. 

Maca reproduces mainly through self-pollination and is an autogamous species. 
The genome consists of 64 chromosomes. 
Maca is a short-day plant from experiments with different day lengths.

Some sources consider the maca an annual plant, as in favorable years, it can complete a lifecycle within a year.
Maca, also called Ginseng Andin, Peruvian Ginseng, Lepidium meyenii, or Lepidium peruvianum, is a relative of radish and smells similar to butterscotch.
Maca is a plant that grows on the high plateaus of the Andes Mountains. 

It's been cultivated as a root vegetable for at least 3000 years. 
The root is also used to make medicine, but there isn't enough reliable information available to know how maca might work.
People take Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract by mouth for male infertility, health problems after menopause, increasing sexual desire in healthy people, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

Lepidium meyenii, known as Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract or Peruvian ginseng, is an edible herbaceous biennial plant of the family Brassicaceae that is native to South America in the high Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract was rediscovered for commercial purposes at the Meseta de Bombón plateau close to Lake Junin in the late 1980s.

It is grown for its fleshy hypocotyl that is fused with a taproot, which is typically dried but may also be freshly cooked as a root vegetable. 
As a cash crop, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is primarily exported as a powder that may be raw or processed further as a gelatinized starch or as an extract. 

If dried, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may be processed into a flour for baking or as a dietary supplement.
Its Spanish and Quechua names include maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, and ayak willku.

USES and APPLICATIONS of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help with libido, sexual function, and fertility
It’s still unclear whether Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract has any real benefit for treating low libido, sexual dysfunction, or infertility in either males or females. 

-Traditional medicine
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is said to have medicinal properties, but scientific research remains inconclusive.
A 2016 systematic review found evidence suggesting that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract improves semen quality in healthy and infertile men.
A 2011 systematic review found the evidence for the effectiveness of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract as a treatment for menopausal symptoms in women inconclusive

USES AND PREPARATION OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Maca is mainly grown for the consumption of its roots. 
The majority of harvested maca is dried. 
In this form, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract, the hypocotyls can be stored for several years.

In Peru, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is prepared and consumed in various ways, although traditionally, it is always cooked. 
The freshly harvested hypocotyl may be roasted in a pit (called huatia) and is considered a delicacy. 
Fresh roots usually are available only in the vicinity of the growers. 

The root can also be mashed and boiled to produce a sweet, thick liquid, then dried and mixed with milk to form a porridge, mazamorra.
The cooked roots are also used with other vegetables in empanadas, jams, or soups. 
The root may be ground to produce flour for bread, cakes, or pancakes. 

If fermented, a weak beer called chicha de maca may be produced. 
In 2010, a U.S.-based brewery called Andean Brewing Company became the first company to produce and commercialize beer made from maca under the brand KUKA Beer.

From the black morphotype, a liquor is produced. 
Also, the leaves are edible or may serve as animal fodder. 
They can be prepared raw in salads or cooked much like L. sativum and L. campestre, which are closely related genetically.

BENEFITS OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. 

No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Here is a look at findings from available human research.

*Erectile Dysfunction
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract supplementation has been reported to improve sexual function. 
However, evidence is limited and reports are mostly subjective.

In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 50 males who were affected by mild erectile dysfunction (ED) were assigned to either the treatment group (with maca) or the placebo (an inactive pill) group.
Those in the treatment group took 2.4 grams (g) of maca for 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks, both groups had reduced ED. 
However, the group given the Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract showed a higher increase in erectile function than the placebo group. Still, the effects were minor overall.

In another report, researchers analyzed four previous clinical trials. 
Some of the studies found that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract had positive effects on improving sexual function in men and women. 
However, the number of trials, the number of participants, and the quality of the studies were too limited to draw firm conclusions.

Overall, evidence of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract's ability to boost sexual function is sparse. 
There is also not enough data to determine the appropriate dosage needed.

*Low Libido
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract supplementation has been reported to improve low libido (low sexual desire). 
However, evidence is weak and reports are mostly subjective.

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract has been studied for its use in alleviating antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. 
Certain antidepressants cause side effects like low libido, vaginal dryness, and difficulty reaching orgasm.

A double-blinded, placebo-controlled study included 45 women who took either Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract (3 grams per day) or a placebo while also taking antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

At the end of the 12-week study, those taking Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract had lower rates of sexual dysfunction (ongoing difficulty engaging in sexual activities). 
Researchers encouraged more extensive studies and fewer self-reported results.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Studies of other benefits of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract have been similarly inconclusive. 
The health benefits that may result from using Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract and maca powder include:

*Erectile Function
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is traditionally used to boost sexual performance, but clinical trials showing improvement are scarce. 
In one study, men taking Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract showed more erectile improvement than those who did not.

*Healthy Menopause
Studies have shown that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract can reduce discomfort related to hormone levels in women who are postmenopausal. 
One study showed that this nutrient had an impact on hormone levels as women reported improvements in their symptoms.

*Female Sexuality
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may improve sexual functioning in women who are taking antidepressants. 
More than half of those on two types of antidepressants report sexual dysfunction that affects their quality of life and relationships. 

In one study, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract improved sexual interest, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. 
Women who were postmenopausal showed the most positive results.

*Fertility
To analyze male fertility, researchers studied men’s semen count, as well as sperm shape and ability to move. 
Results showed that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may improve semen quality. 
But the evidence is inconclusive and the issue needs more research.

*Overall Health and Energy
Some Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract users say that it increases their energy, stamina, and overall health. 

In one study of people living in the Andes, researchers compared Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract consumers with non-consumers. 
They analyzed the subjects using a variety of measures, including lab tests and a test of leg strength. 
Those who used Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract scored higher in some measures.

CAN MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT IMPROVE SEXUAL HEALTH?
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is used by people to improve sexual function and libido, provide an energy boost, and relieve symptoms of menopause. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is also used to enhance fertility and treat erectile dysfunction. 
However, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract's important to note that there is not enough human-based research to fully support its uses.

FERTILITY OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Several studies have measured the effects of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract on male fertility.
In a 12-week study, men treated with 2 grams of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract daily showed a significant improvement in semen concentration compared with men treated with a placebo. 

However, there were no significant differences in semen volume, sperm mobility, or sperm morphology (size and shape) between the two groups.
Another 12-week study evaluated the effects of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract on semen quality and hormone levels in 20 men given 1.75 grams of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract daily or a placebo. 

After 12 weeks sperm concentration and motility (how well sperm move) improved slightly in the Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract group, but there were no changes in hormone levels.
Overall, it is advised to consult a healthcare provider if you are concerned about semen quality and fertility.

*Energy Level
Limited evidence suggests that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help improve energy levels.

In a 2022 study, 60 participants were given Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract or a placebo for four weeks. 
Both groups showed reduced measures of fatigue. 

However, people younger than 45 years showed significantly lower fatigue measures in the Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract group. 
The study authors concluded Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may have anti-fatigue effects in young adult women.

Another study measured the effects of taking 3 grams of red or black Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract or placebo daily in people living at low and high altitudes. 

Researchers reported that after 12 weeks energy scores improved the most in those taking red Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract and that both red and black Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract were well tolerated and showed no serious adverse effects.

That being said, these studies are small and there’s not enough evidence to draw firm conclusions on the effect of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract on energy levels.

*Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is a natural process when menstrual periods stop. 
During this phase, many people experience symptoms such as hot flashes, lower energy, sleep disruptions, and emotional symptoms.

A review of four studies suggests Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help menopausal symptoms. 
However, the researchers concluded more studies are needed because their findings were limited by the small number of trials and lack of safety information.

4 BENEFITS OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
What does Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract do for the body?
The maca plant, called Lepidium meyenii or “Peruvian ginseng,” is a cruciferous vegetable related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.

Native to the high Andean plateaus, it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years and can survive the harsh weather of the Peruvian Andes above 4,000 meters (m) or 13,123 feet (ft). 
Traditionally, the Andean people used Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract as food or medication to treat respiratory conditions and rheumatic disease.

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract products have increased in popularity due to claims they may help increase libido and fertility. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is now grown worldwide, including in China’s Yunnan province.

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract contains beneficial compounds, including:
*fiber
*vitamins and minerals
*bioactive compounds, such as macamides, macaridine, alkaloids, and glucosinolates

However, research on its benefits has been mixed, with more studies needed to support the claims.
Here are some potential benefits of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract.

Summary
People in Peru have used Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract for thousands of years as food and natural medication.

HOW TO USE MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) is an edible plant and is also available in other forms, including capsules and powders.

You can add Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract to smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, energy bars, and more. 
Its nutty, butterscotch-like taste pairs well with many sweeter flavors.

The optimal dose for medicinal use of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract has not been established. 
However, the dosage of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract used in studies generally ranges from 1.5 to 3 g per day.

If you want to ensure you choose higher-quality Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract or get a personalized dosage recommendation, speak with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian or physician. 
Because supplements are not regulated like medications, it’s best to choose brands verified by third parties to ensure they contain what they say on the label.

Summary
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is widely available and easy to incorporate into your diet.

WHAT DOES MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT ROOT DO FOR A FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTION?
One older 2015 study of 45 females with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction also suggests that taking 3,000 milligrams (mg) of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract per day for 12 weeks significantly improved sexual function and libido compared with a placebo.
However, larger studies in humans are still needed to investigate the effects of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract on female libido and sexual function.

Summary
Limited evidence suggests that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help improve sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, and fertility. 
However, research is limited at this time.

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help relieve symptoms of menopause
Menopause happens naturally in people who menstruate. 
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract’s the time of life when menstrual periods stop permanently.

Research suggests that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may benefit people going through menopause by helping to relieve some symptoms, including hot flashes and interrupted sleep.

Summary
According to limited findings, Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help reduce some menopausal symptoms. 
However, there’s not enough evidence to determine its true effectiveness.

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may improve mood and energy
Limited evidence suggests that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help improve energy levels and enhance mood.

A 2022 study in young adult females also showed that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract might reduce fatigue. 
Meanwhile, a 2016 study of 175 people living at either low or high altitudes demonstrated that taking 3 g of red or black Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root 
Extract daily for 12 weeks improved mood and energy scores compared with a placebo.
However, there is not enough evidence yet to draw firm conclusions about Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract’s impact on energy or mood.

Summary
Some evidence suggests that Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract may help improve energy and positively affect mood. However, research is limited at this time.

Other potential health benefits of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract 
Human research investigating the potential health benefits of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract is limited.

WHAT DOES MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT DO FOR MALE SEXUAL FUNCTION?
While many studies on Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract have not been conducted on human subjects, some research suggests it may benefit males with low sexual desire or libido.

A 2020 study suggests that taking 2 grams (g) of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) Root Extract per day for 12 weeks may significantly improve sperm concentration compared with a placebo treatment. 
However, they didn’t find a significant difference in sperm motility between the treatment and placebo groups.

HISTORY AND CONTROVERSY OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Antonio Vázquez de Espinosa described the plant following his visit to Peru circa 1598, and Bernabé Cobo described this plant in the early 17th century.
Gerhard Walpers named the species Lepidium meyenii in 1843. 

In the 1990s, Gloria Chacon further distinguished a different species. 
She considered the widely cultivated natural maca of today to be a newer domesticated species, L. peruvianum.
However, most botanists doubt this distinction and continue to call the cultivated maca L. meyenii. 

The Latin name recognized by the USDA similarly continues to be Lepidium meyenii.
It has been debated whether it is botanically correct to consider meyenii and peruvianum to be distinct from one another.
A 2015 multi-center study found differences in taxonomy, visual appearance, phytochemical profiles and DNA sequences when comparing L. meyenii and L. peruvianum, suggesting that they are different and that their names should not be considered synonyms.

ROOT OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Maca is the only member of the genus Lepidium with a fleshy hypocotyl, which is fused with the taproot to form a rough inverted pear-shaped body. 
Traditionally, native growers have acknowledged four varieties of maca based on their root color: cream-yellow, half-purple, purple, and black; varying levels of anthocyanin are primarily responsible for the color differences.

Maca hypocotyls may be gold or cream, red, purple, blue, black, or green. 
Each is considered a "genetically unique variety," as the seeds of the parent plants grow to have roots of the same color. 
Specific phenotypes (in maca, 'phenotype' pertains mainly to root color) have been propagated exclusively to increase commercial interest.

Cream-colored roots are the most widely grown and are favored in Peru for their enhanced sweetness and size. 
Black maca is both sweet and slightly bitter.

CULTIVATION OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT: 
*Growth conditions
The natural environment of the maca is at 11–12ºS latitude and at an elevation of 3,800–4,400 m (12,500–14,400 ft) above sea level.
At this elevation, temperatures of the growing season vary from −2 to 13 °C (28 to 55 °F) in monthly mean minimum or maximum, respectively. Temperatures can decline, however, as low as −10 °C (14 °F) and frosts are common. 
Of the cultivated plants, maca is one of the most frost tolerant.
Strong winds and sunlight are also characteristics of the native habitat of the maca. 
Maca today is still mainly cultivated in Peru, in the high Andes of Bolivia, and to a small extent also in Brazil.
Maca can be cultivated beyond its natural elevation range, over 4,400 m (14,400 ft) above sea level.

*Growth
Maca (Peruvian ginseng) seedlings usually emerge about one month after sowing, with the onset of the rainy season in October. 
In the vegetative phase, from May to June, the lower part of the hypocotyl, as well as the upper part of the tap root, grows in size. 
After 260 to 280 days, it is formed into the harvestable hypocotyl. 

If the root is left in the soil, it is dormant for two to three months in the time of the cold, dry season until August. 
Then, it will form a generative shoot on which the seeds ripen five months later. 
One plant can form up to 1000 tiny seeds, 1600 of which weigh about one gram. 

Thus, only relatively few plants are needed for propagation. 
The cultivated plants are selected for preferred size and color, then placed 50–100 mm deep in pits with alternate layers of grass and soil to protect them from drying out. 

They are fertilized heavily, as maca is an exhaustive crop of soil.
The cultivation cycle is strictly linked to seasonality.

Traditionally, land preparation was done by hand. Nowadays, tractor plowing is also used. 
As maca grows on sites where no other crops can be cultivated, it is often found after long fallows of sheep grazing pastures.

Maca croplands, thus, traditionally are only fertilized with sheep and alpaca manure; however, fertilizer application could prevent soils from depleting in nutrients.

Weeding or pesticide application usually is not necessary. 
The climate is not suitable for most weeds or pests. Nearly all maca cultivation in Peru is carried out organically; maca is seldom attacked. 
Maca is sometimes interplanted with potatoes, as it is known to maca farmers that the plant naturally repels most root crop pests.

*Harvest
The harvest is done manually, with the leaves left in the field as livestock feed or organic fertilizer.
The yield for a cultivated hectare may reach an estimated 15 tons in fresh hypocotyls, resulting in around 5 tons of dried material.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Peru, however, average maca yields for 2005 were only 7 t/ha, with a great variation between different sites.

Although maca has been cultivated outside the Andes, it is unclear whether it develops the same active constituents or potency outside of its natural habitat. 
Hypocotyls grown from Peruvian seeds form with difficulty at low elevations, in greenhouses, or warm climates.

*Nutrition
The average composition, on a dry matter basis, is 60–75% carbohydrates (primarily as polysaccharides), 10–14% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats.

*Phytochemicals
Maca contains glucotropaeolin, m-methoxyglucotropaeolin, benzyl glucosinolates, polyphenols, (1R,3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA), and p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate.
[Alkamides are also present in maca.
Maca contains several N-benzylamides referred to as macamides that are structurally related to anandamide.

SAFETY OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
No pharmacokinetic data have been published for maca.
The presence of (1R,3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA) in the extracts of maca indicate a potential safety issue as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (re. which see β-carboline) and possibility as a mutagen.

Due to these potential mutagenic properties of MTCA, the Agency for Sanitary Security in France warned consumers about the possible health risks of powdered maca root, a declaration disputed on the assumption that MTCA would be deactivated by boiling to process maca roots.
MTCA-like compounds are associated with craving behaviour.

MARKETING OF MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
Due to its purported effects on fertility, maca grew in agricultural, commercial, and research interest from the 1990s to 2014.
Market studies showed low acceptance of the particular maca taste by consumers when first exposed to it, creating a barrier for popularity of this food as a culinary vegetable. 

The economic interest existed more in the perceived but unproven health effects of the root's constituents supplied as an extract in a dietary supplement.
By 2014, agricultural and market interest in maca grew in China, but with challenges from Peruvian institutions who accused Chinese companies of illegally exporting maca and of biopiracy, as several Chinese patents had been filed to improve maca's propagation and genetic diversity.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
EC Number: Not specifically assigned
CAS Number: 315315-24-3
Appearance: Light yellow to brown powder
Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol
Molecular Weight: Varies depending on specific compounds (e.g., macamides, macaenes)
Melting Point: Not applicable for the extract
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not applicable
pH: Neutral to slightly acidic when dissolved in water
Botanic name: Lepidium Meyenii

Solvent used for extraction: water
Plant part used: Root
Extract Ratio: ≥ 4:1
Residual solvent: 0.2% Max
Solubility: good solubility in water
Appearance: brown powder
Odor: Characteristic
Taste: Characteristic
Sieve Analysis: 100% pass 80 mesh
Loss on drying: NMT 5.0%
Ash: NMT 3.0%
Sulphate: 0.5% Max

Mercury (Hg): NMT 0.1ppm
Cadmium (Cd): NMT 1ppm
Lead (Pb): NMT 2ppm
Chlorate (Cl): NMT 1ppm
Phosphate Organics: NMT 1ppm
Heavy Metals: 20ppm Max
Pesticides Residues: NMT 1ppm
Aflatoxins: NMT 0.2ppb
Total Plate Count: 10000 cfu/ml Max
P.aeruginosa: Absent
S. aureus: Absent
Salmonella: Absent
Yeast & Mold: 300 cfu/g Max
E.Coli: Negative
Staphylococcus: Negative

FIRST AID MEASURES of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation: 
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact: 
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact: 
Rinse out with plenty of water. 
Call in ophthalmologist. 
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing: 
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most). 
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains. 
Collect, bind, and pump off spills. 
Observe possible material restrictions. 
Take up dry. 
Dispose of properly. 
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 
Foam 
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection. 
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A 
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed. 
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of MACA (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ROOT EXTRACT:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature) .
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available