Abstract:

In this syudy, a determination method was established to analyze the contents of total alkaloids in Maca (Lepidium meyenii) cultivated in Yunnan with 3 kinds of different color. Total alkaloids in 3 color types of Maca were analyzed by acidic dye colorimetry and titration, respectively. Results indicated that acidic dye colorimetry was sensitive with less relative standard deviation (RSD). This method is more appropriate for the determination of total alkaloids in Maca cultivated in Yunnan; The contents of total alkaloids in purple Maca, white Maca and yellow Maca cultivated in Yunnan were 4.4078, 2.9193 and 2.2241 mg/g, respectively, with a significant difference (P＜ 0.01). The content of total alkaloids in purple Maca is the highest, which is close to the content of total alkaloids in Maca grown in Peru.

Key words: Maca (Lepidium meyenii), color type, total alkaloids, content analysis