The Research Of Anti-fatigue Function Analysis And Direct Powder Compression Process Of Maca

Maca originally grows in Peru. It was successfully introduced to China in 2003. Now the growing of maca has formed a certain scale in Yunnan, Xinjiang and some other alpine region in China, producing great economic benefits. At present, there still lacks systematic comparison of compositions on maca of various cultivation regions and colour types. The functional assessment for maca from some regions has to be added, e.g. Xinjiang. Besides,further research is needed for the application of superfine grinding technology and direct compression process in maca products processing. The composition differences of 7 selected maca samples of different cultivation regions and colour types were analyzed. The Xinjiang maca was selected for the evaluation of anti-fatigue function by mice models. Furthermore,researches on applicability of superfine grinding technology and direct compression process were studied, which provided references for the quality evaluation and development of related functional food of maca.Firstly, compositions of 7 selected maca samples were analyzed. The composition contents of introduced maca were as follows: the protein content ranged from 15.49%?20.85%. The total dietary fiber (TDF)?soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber content (IDF) of introduced maca were 19.20%?25.55%,2.62%?7.70%,14.83%?22.36%,respectively. The essential amino acid ratio was 20.9%?28.0%. The total alkaloids, the benzyl glucosinolate, N-benzyl hexadecanamide content of introduced maca were 1.10?2.99 mg/g,1.10?2.31 mg/g, 0.150?0.182 mg/g,respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences among maca of different cultivation regions in protein,dietary fiber, total alkaloids, benzyl glucosinolate and N-benzyl hexadecanamide contents.The content of protein, benzyl glucosinolate and total alkaloids of maca with different colour types had significant differences.Secondly, mice models were used to evaluate the anti-fatigue function of Xinjiang maca powder. The mice were divided into four groups: control group, low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group. The low, middle and high dose group were given the daily dose of 0.04 g/kg BW, 0.4 g/kg BW and 1.2 g/kg BW, respectively. 30 days later, forced swimming experiment was carried on and biochemical indicators were determined. Results showed that the medium and high dose of Xinjiang maca can prolong the forced swimming time (p<0.05),increase the content of glycogen (p<0.05), and decrease the blood lactate score (p<0.05)significantly. Note that the high dose of Xinjiang maca can also increase the serum urea content in mice significantly. The results showed that Xinjiang maca have a significant anti-fatigue effect on mice, while the daily intake should be moderate in case of potential damages.Thirdly, the microscopic difference and the dissolution properties of the normal and superfine maca powder were analyzed. It was found that the colour difference between the normal powder and superfine powder was significant. The results also showed that the dissolution values of total glucosinolates and polysaccharides of superfine powder were 24.9%and 43.0% higher than those of normal powder, respectively. The structure of superfine tablets tended to be more compact and the pore were more homogeneous compared with the normal tablets. The dissolution rate and final dissolution values of polysaccharides of superfine tablets were higher than those of normal tablets. The denaturation temperature of maca protein was 63.19?, indicating it can be easily inactivated by heat, so the thermal effects should be avoided or reduced in the superfine grinding process.Finally,appropriate excipients were selected for direct compression process of maca tablets according to the powder properties. The influence of water content, particle size of maca powder and doses of excipients were investigated by single factor tests with weight variation, friability, hardness and disintegration time of tablets considered as quality evaluation indicators. On the basis of single factor tests, the comprehensive score of the weight variation, friability, hardness and disintegration time of tablets were considered as response value; the water content of maca powder and doses of three excipients as response variables; a response variables regression equation were established by Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface analysis method. The best prescription of the direct powder compression technology of maca powder was obtained as follows: Water content of 7.76%, magnesium stearate content of 0.85%, microcrystalline cellulose content of 12.34%,lactose content of 8.34%. The qualities of the optimized tablets were conform to the requirements with the maca contents were 78.47%.