Maca is a Peruvian plant cultivated between 3500 and 4500 m above sea level that already had an important role during the Inca Empire where it was used as part of the feeding ration given to the best Inca warriors to provide them with more energy, strength and vitality. At present times, its nutritional value has been acknowledged wroldwide. For this reason, NASA uses maca within its nutritional program and also FAO includes it in its list of products to fight against nutritional problems.
Maca’s nutritional value comes partly from its high protein content and the quantity of amino acids (18 amino acids, including 7 of 9 essential amino acids), carbohydrates and other compounds as fatty oils (2 of 3 essentials), minerals and vitamins.
Maca’s functional effects, physical and mental energizing, are due to the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, glucosinolates, sterols, phenolic compounds and others that have been analyzed in a series of studies performed in Peru and other countries.
Traditional use and scientific studies have shown additionally activity on: stress reduction and hormonal balance, fertility, among others.
Maca is available in yellow, black and red varieties.
Ingredient for functional foods and drinks.
Nutrition formulations.
Dietary supplements.
Functional cosmetics.
Feed products.
Premium maca undergoes a special process that helps maintain the active principles in the finished raw material. This maca is not sun-dried, so the process starts directly after harvesting. Scientific studies have shown that Premium maca has a higher concentration of more active principles like glucosinolates, macaens, and macamides compared to other maca raw materials like standard maca and gelatinized maca having similar or even higher levels than many extracts, preserving its high nutritional value, energizing power and other properties of maca that are found in its natural state. Maca Premium has a lighter in color and is especially suitable for those seeking high nutritional value combined with a higher percentage of secondary metabolites in functional foods and dietary supplements. The special processing technology makes this maca more cost-intensive than Standard Maca.
Standard maca is the type of raw material which is most commonly used in Peru and derives from a traditional practice of sun-dry the maca. The harvested maca is sun-dried for several months at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. The sun-drying process gives this type of maca a darker color, a sweeter flavor and a characteristic aroma. Once sun-dried, it is processed industrially in a raw materials processing mill under controlled parameters. The process involves selection, cleaning, disinfecting, washing, hydrating, cutting, drying, grinding, pulverization and packaging. Standard Maca has an excellent level of proteins, carbohydrates and essential oils recognized by FAO, as well as a good presence of secondary metabolites such as glucosinolates, polyphenols, sterols, etc. This presentation of maca makes it suitable as an ingredient for functional foods and dietary supplements.
Gelatinized maca was originally developed as a food additive. Gelatinized maca has a higher solubility than Standard and Premium Maca. This is the reason why it is also called instant maca. The process involves additionally a slow cooking and extrusion process which helps to split large starch chains and hence increase digestibility and solubility of this type of maca. As solubility increases, this type of maca is recommended as a food additive for liquid products, like for functional drinks and blends. The high temperatures involved in the process may damage secondary metabolites reducing their concentration. Therefore, this maca should basically be used for liquid products that require higher solubility.
Maca extract has concentrated forms of the secondary metabolites available in maca. The extraction process permits a standardization of the product, hence obtaining a raw material with a more homogeneous amount of certain secondary metabolites. Maca extract is a finer powder than Standard or Premium Maca as it has a 200 mesh vs. 60-80 mesh of the other powders. Dried atomized maca extracts are blended with a carrier, usually a maltodextrin, although we can also provide you with an extract that is just 100% Maca. Liquid extracts can also be supplied. Other processing types include Maca crunch and Granulated Maca.
