nternational Journal of Biomedical Science
Volume 11, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 1-15
a
Charles Sturt University and Therapeutic Research, TTD International Pty Ltd, 39 Leopard Ave, Elanora, QLD, Australia
b Research Institute of Medicinal Plants, 27 Libelta St, Poznan, Poland
c University of Agriculture Krakow, Krakow, Poland
b Research Institute of Medicinal Plants, 27 Libelta St, Poznan, Poland
c University of Agriculture Krakow, Krakow, Poland
Abstract
Using Liquid
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS), profiles of the two isotypes
labelled under the same common name Maca deposited in the Medicinal Plant Herbarium, in Australia and Poland,
but identified under two different scientific names Lepidium meyenii
Walpers (L. meyenii) and Lepidium peruvianum Chacon (L. peruvianum) are
presented. The two isotypes correspond to two holotypes of Peruvian medicinal
herb known under the same common name “Maca”, as originally deposited
in the Herbarium of San Marcos University in Lima, Peru dated back to
1843 and 1990 respectively. The results demonstrate distinct differences
in taxonomy, visual appearance, phytochemical profiles and DNA
sequences of the two researched Maca isotypes, suggesting that the two
Maca specimens are dissimilar and formal use of the term “synonymous” to
L. meyenii and L. peruvianum may be misleading. On the basis of
presented results the scientific name L. meyenii, used since 1843
up-today for cultivated Peruvian Maca by numerous reference sources
worldwide, including Regulatory Bodies in the USA, EU, Australia and
most lately in China, appears to be used in error and should be formally
revised. It is concluded, that the isotype of cultivated Peruvian Maca
labelled under its scientific name Lepidium peruvianum Chacon, provides
all the characteristics peculiar to this historically-documented herb
grown in Andean highlands, which may be linked to its traditional use
and accepted functionality, confirmed in recent clinical study to be
relevant to its present day use for expected dietary, therapeutic and
health benefits. © 2015 Henry O. Meissner et al.
Author keywords
Glucosinolytes; Hypocotyl; Lepidium meyenii; Lepidium peruvianum; Methoxy flavon; Peruvian maca
Indexed keywords
EMTREE medical terms: Article; controlled study;
cultivated species; diet; DNA sequence; herb; Lepidium; Lepidium
meyenii; Lepidium peruvianum; liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry;
nomenclature; nonhuman; Peru; Peruvian maca; phytochemistry; plant taxonomy; therapy
Species Index: Lepidium meyenii; Lepidium peruvianum