2013, 26(1): 129-132.
The composition and content of sterols in three color types of maca (Lepidium meyenii) cultivated in Yunnan were analyzed by GC-MS. The result showed that all the three types of maca contained β-sitosterol and campesterol. The content of β-sitosterol was higher than that of campesterol. The total sterol content in white, purple and yellow samples were 36.60, 32.38, 27.97 mg·(100 g-1), respectively. Among them, the total sterol content in white sample was the highest. The differences in contents were significant among the three types of sample (P<0.01). The composition was consistent with that of sample cultivated in Peru, and the total content of sterol was also very similar.