DETECCIÓN DE HONGOS TOXIGÉNICOS EN LA CADENA PRODUCTIVA DE LA MACA (Lepidium meyenii Walp)

Los principales géneros de hongos potencialmente toxigénicos en la cadena productiva de la maca son el Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus y Rhizopus, el primero procedente del campo y los restantes durante su manipulación poscosecha. La humedad de la maca fresca, es precursor de su presencia en la cadena productiva. La humedad en las harinas de maca cruda, gelatinizada y precocida inhiben su crecimiento sin embargo los tratamientos tecnológicos no garantizan su ausencia en el producto. Los azúcares reductores en la maca y derivados son el principal sustrato y el pH en ellos es óptimo para el crecimiento de los hongos.

ESTUDIO DE UN EXTRACTO DE MACA (Lepidium Meyenii Walp) CON ALTO CONTENIDO DE COMPUESTOS SOLUBLES

El trabajo de investigación fue desarrollado en el laboratorio de microbiología de alimentos de la Facultad de Ingeniería en Industrias Alimentarias de la Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú con muestras recolectadas en la meseta de Bombón de la provincia de Junín. La investigación tuvo como objetivos, determinar las condiciones óptimas de obtención de un extracto a base de maca y evaluar sus características fisicoquímicas y microbiológicas. El extracto etanólico de maca fresca presenta mejor nivel de sólidos solubles, 23.1±1.37 respecto al extracto etanólico de maca seca, 21.5±0.50, indicando probablemente un mejor contenido de metabolitos secundarios de actividad biológica, con pH 6.06±0.28 y % de acidez 0.374 ±0.04, mejores características fisicoquímicas respecto al extracto acuoso de maca fresca y a los extractos de acuoso y etanólico de maca seca. El extracto etanólico de maca fresca presenta mayor actividad antimicrobiana contra Escherichia coli y es considerada como de moderada intensidad respecto a otros extractos vegetales con diámetro de inhibición de 7.5 mm±0.14. Estos resultados permiten sugerir una posterior purificación e identificación de las moléculas activas presentes en la maca tanto obtenidos en los solventes utilizados como en otros de menor polaridad.

Bacterial diversity in high Andean grassland soils disturbed with Lepidium meyenii crops evaluated by metagenomics

Soil quality is usually determined by its physical-chemical characteristics without taking into account the bacterial communities that play a fundamental role in the chemical decomposition of plant nutrients. In this context, the objective of the study was to evaluate bacterial diversity in high Andean grassland soils disturbed with Lepidium meyenii cultivation under different gradients of use (first, second and third use) and crop development (pre-sowing, hypocotyl development and post-harvest). The sampling was carried out in the Bombón plateau in the central Andes of Peru, during the rainy and low water seasons, by the systematic method based on a specific pattern assigned in a geometric rectangular shape at a depth of 0 - 20 cm. The characterization of the bacterial communities was carried out through the metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA. 376 families of bacteria were reported, of which it was determined that there was a significant change in bacterial composition and distribution in relation to use pressure. There were no major changes due to the development of Lepidium meyenii. The families most sensitive to use pressure and soil poverty indicators were Verrucomicrobiaceae, Acidobacteraceae and Aakkermansiaceae.

Comparison between the Biological Active Compounds in Plants with Adaptogenic Properties (Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus and Panax ginseng)

Background: In the 1960s, research into plant adaptogens began. Plants with adaptogenic properties have rich phytochemical compositions and have been used by humanity since ancient times. However, it is not still clear whether the adaptogenic properties are because of specific compounds or because of the whole plant extracts. The aim of this review is to compare the bioactive compounds in the different parts of these plants. Methods: The search strategy was based on studies related to the isolation of bioactive compounds from Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Panax ginseng. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Results: This review includes data from 259 articles. The phytochemicals isolated from Rhaponticum carthamoides, Lepidium meyenii, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Panax ginseng were described and classified in several categories. Conclusions: Plant species have always played an important role in drug discovery because their effectiveness is based on the hundreds of years of experience with folk medicine in different nations. In our view, there is great potential in the near future for some of the phytochemicals found in these plants species to become pharmaceutical agents.

Effects of Oral Administration of Lepidium meyenii on Morphology of Mice Testis and Motility of Epididymal Sperm Cells After Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure

Background: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration is associated with testicular damage and reduced semen quality. Oral administration of Lepidium Meyenii (maca) improves spermatogenesis and sperm motility and count and reduces spermatogenic damage.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of THC, maca, and their combination on testicular tissue and semen parameters.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six-week-old male mice were classified into control, THC, Maca, and THC + Maca groups. The mice were subjected to Eco Color Doppler ultrasound examination of the testicles before and after treatment. After euthanasia, the epididymis, testes, liver, and kidney were collected for histological examination. For morphometry of the testis, tubular diameters and seminiferous epithelium height were measured. Sperm concentration and sperm motilities were assessed. Differences among the groups were assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's post-hoc test.Results: In all the groups, there were no significant changes in testicular morphology before and after treatment. Histological assessment of the testes showed no alterations in control, no significant alterations in Maca, mild to moderate alterations in THC, and mild alterations in THC + Maca groups. Histological examination of the other organs showed no significant differences among the groups. Tubular diameter showed significantly increased thickening for THC and THC + Maca compared with that for Maca and control. Moreover, seminiferous epithelium height decreased for THC compared with that in the control, Maca, and THC + Maca groups. No statistically significant reduction in the spermatogenic index was observed for THC compared with that for Maca and THC + Maca. Epididymal cross-sections of the groups showed no significant alterations. Sperm concentration and motility were higher for control and THC + Maca groups than in group THC and Maca.Conclusion:In vivo maca administration reduced the deleterious effect of THC on testicular parenchyma and semen production.

ABORDAGEM DAS DISFUNÇÕES SEXUAIS: O USO DE LEPIDIUM MEYENII E TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

Objetivo : realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre a abordagem das disfunções sexuais com o auxílio da Lepidium meyenii e Tribulus terrestres .Métodos : Trata-se de uma de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. Resultados: O resultado total da investigação foi de 70 artigos. Foram excluídos 13 artigos repetidos.Restou o total de 57 artigos, dos quais foram excluídos os que não continham o texto disponível e também os que não estavam relacionados às Disfunções Sexuais humanas . Assim, foram obtidos 16 artigos . Foram descartados os artigos que não possuíam texto completo disponível ou que seu conteúdo não relacionava com a temática .Considerações finais: Com base nos estudos discutidos é possível Tribulus terrestris consiste em uma planta com grandes potencialidades para o manejo da disfunção sexual e outros sintomas relacionados à menopausa, sendo assim, pode ser um tratamento alternativa ou complementar.

Zebrafish Model for Studying Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy and Preventive Effect of Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Loss of myofibers during muscle atrophy affects functional capacity and quality of life. Dexamethasone, an inducer of rapid atrophy of skeletal myofibers, has been studied as a glucocorticoid receptor in muscle atrophy or motor neurodegeneration. In this study, we examined dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy using zebrafish (Danio rerio), a vertebrate model, and assessed whether administration of Lepidium meyenii (maca) as a dietary supplement can prevent muscle atrophy. Changes in skeletal myofibers in zebrafish were evaluated after exposure to dexamethasone for different periods and at different concentrations. Under optimized conditions, zebrafish pre-fed with maca for 3 days were exposed to 0.01% dexamethasone for 1 h/day for 7 days. Thereafter, myofiber loss, damaged muscle contractile proteins, and abnormal exploratory behavior due to the structural and functional impairment of skeletal muscle associated with muscle atrophy were investigated using hematoxylin–eosin, immunofluorescence staining, and behavioral analyses. Our findings suggest that dexamethasone induces muscle atrophy in zebrafish, inhibiting exploratory behavior by inducing myofiber loss, inhibiting muscle contraction, and causing changes in endurance and velocity. Thus, the zebrafish model can be used to screen pharmaceutical agents and to study muscle atrophy. Furthermore, maca is a potential dietary supplement to prevent muscle atrophy, as it protects muscle fibers.