Summary
This review examines the growing literature on maca (Lepidium meyenii/peruvianum), a high-altitude Andean crop traditionally used for energy and fertility. The authors argue that whilst maca's phytochemical and nutritional properties are well-established, the identification of up to seventeen colour phenotypes—which vary substantially in composition and clinical efficacy depending on colour, growing location, cultivation and post-harvest processing—remains understudied. The review highlights critical gaps in research standardisation and calls for future publications to specify these phenotypic and agronomic variables to enable robust clinical comparison.
Regional applicability
This study is geographically specific to Peru's high-altitude Andean maca production region (3500–5000 m) and does not directly address United Kingdom farming systems or conditions. However, the review's emphasis on crop phenotype, terroir effects (growing location, cultivation, post-harvest processing) and their impact on nutritional and phytochemical content is transferable to UK horticulture research on crop quality variation, particularly for specialty crops or heritage varieties.
Key measures
Nutritional content, phytochemical profile, colour phenotypes (black, red, yellow, purple, grey), clinical trial outcomes, quality and safety criteria
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised research on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profiles, and clinical applications of up to seventeen different colour phenotypes of maca (Lepidium meyenii). It identified gaps and deficiencies in the literature regarding standardisation of maca varieties and their differential effects on health outcomes.
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