Abstract
Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) and Lepidium meyenii (maca) were the traditional crops of the original population of Peru where they are also still used in folk medicine. These plants are little known in Europe and Northern America although at least yacon can be cultivated in the climatic conditions of these regions. This article deals with the botany and the composition, the structure of main constituents, biological activity of these plants and the cultivation of yacon in the Czech Republic. The potential of yacon tubers to treat hyperglycemia, kidney problems and for skin rejuvenation and the antihyperglycemic and cytoprotective activity of its leaves seems to be related mostly to its oligofructan and phenolic content, respectively. Maca alkaloids, steroids, glucosinolates, isothicyanates and macamides are probably responsible for its aptitude to act as a fertility enhancer, aphrodisiac, adaptogen, immunostimulant, anabolic and to influence hormonal balance. Yacon and maca are already on the European market as prospective functional foods and dietary supplements, mainly for use in certain risk groups of the population, e.g. seniors, diabetics, postmenopausal women etc.
Highlights
An optimal diet is frequently a good preventive measure against chronic diseases
Tuber and root crops are predominantly cultivated in the Andes: these include several potato varieties, Solanum tuberosum, S. andigenum, S. ajanhuiri, S. stenotomum, S. goniocalyx, S. phureja[2] (Solanaceae), ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa, Leguminosae), arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza, Apiaceae), mashua or añu (Tropaeolum tuberosum, Tropaeolaceae), sweet potato (Ipomoea batata, Convolvulaceae), mauka (Mirabilis expansa, Nyctaginaceae)[3] yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)[4] and maca (Lepidium meyenii)[5, 6]
Trends in nutraceuticals and functional foods containing biologically active natural substances are oriented towards intact plants or plant extract utilization in this millennium
Summary
An optimal diet is frequently a good preventive measure against chronic diseases. Classic examples abound in the use of diet in the control of blood cholesterol levels, blood glucose level regulation and control, arteriosclerosis and diabetes risk factor lowering, dietary substitution of estrogenic hormones in menopause, influence on osteoarthritis development, osteoporosis and digestive tract cancer, amelioration of some neurological illnesses, improvement of impaired immunity and lowering of food contaminant toxic effects. Saccharides Yacon tubers contain as storage compounds mainly fructans with low glucose content Their structure is of the inulin type, i.e. β(2→1)fructofuranosylsaccharose (see Table 2), of the same type as in other Asteraceae species, e.g. Jerusalem artichoke[31]. Caffeic and ferulic acid, three isomers of dicaffeoylquinic acids (Mr = 516), an additional still unknown derivative of chlorogenic acid (Mr = 562) and an unknown flavonoid by HPTLC and HPLC/MS These compounds were confirmed in yacon leaves, stems, caudices and tubers[48]. Terpenes A methanol extract of yacon leaves contained entkaurenoic acid (XI) and related diterpenoid substances (ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid 15-angeloyloxy ester (XII), 18-angeloyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (XIII) and 15-angeloyloxy-ent-kauren-19-oic acid 16-epoxide (XIV) (Fig. 3) These compounds probably play a certain physiological role in the defense mechanisms of this plant and it is highly pest-resistant[51]. Germacran type sesquiterpene lactones have been among other compounds (flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, triterpenoids, steroids and gaian type sesquiterpene lactones) isolated from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.), which is used in traditional medicine for its choleretic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities[67]
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