EXPLORING THE MINERAL COMPOSITION OF MACA ROOT OBTAINED FROM KAFANCHAN, JEMA’A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE

Maca root (Lepidium meyenii), also referred to as Gadali in Hausa language, and is a well
known medicinal plant being utilized traditionally as aphrodisiac and for treating infertility.
However, limited scientific research to study its bioactive contents is available. This research
aimed to study the mineral composition of Maca root grown in Kafanchan, Jema’a local
government area, Kaduna state. Fresh Maca bulb was harvested and washed with distilled
water, cut into pieces, shed dried and pulverized into powder which was digested and analyzed
in the laboratory using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The study revealed the presence
of Mg (0.24), K (0.17), Na (0.12), Ca (0.14), Fe (0.11), Cu (0.13), Zn (0.14), Mn (0.13) and Ni
(0.13) mg/ Kg. We recommends for a further study to explore the potentials of maca as a natural
remedy for mineral deficiencies in both humans and animals.