To evaluate the oral toxicity at 60 days and to determine the lethal dose 50 (LD 50) of raw sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) and linseed (Linum ussitatisimum) oils in Holtzman rats and mice of the strain Balb C57 respectively. For the evaluation of the oral toxicity of repeated doses for 60 days, 24 male Holtzman rats were used, divided in three groups of 8 each, the groups were: physiologic saline solution 4 mL/kg (FSS), sacha inchi oil 0.5 mL/kg (SI05) and linseed oil 0.5 mL/kg (L05), during the experiment the body weight was controlled weekly, and signs of toxicity in the research groups, as well as total cholesterol, HDL, glucose, triglycerides and alkaline phosphatase at days 30 and 60 after initiating the experiment. For the evaluation of the LD50 male mice of the Balb C57 strain were used in groups of 10 animals, and they were administered increasing oral doses of raw oils until reaching 1 mL/kg (37 g/kg). The serum parameters in the rats indicated there is no toxicity at 60 days and that the administration of the oils lowered the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and increased the HDL in comparison with the control group. The LD50 shows that the raw sacha inchi and linseed oils have doses above 37 g/kg of body weight. Sacha inchi and linseed oils are harmless at 60 days and present a LD50 above the 37 g/kg of animal.

Capsicum pubescens (rocoto) is an Andean domesticate with notable agronomic and nutraceutical potential, yet it remains underrepresented in chili pepper breeding programs. In this study, 78 accessions from the Peruvian Andes were evaluated in a single field environment during the 2024 growing season for 28 variables spanning plant architecture, phenology and yield, color (CIELAB), weight, fruit morphology, physicochemical variables, and functional phytochemicals, including total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, capsaicinoids, and antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS). Descriptive analyses revealed broad phenotypic diversity in key variables such as yield and bioactive compounds. Spearman correlations uncovered a clear modular structure, with strong within-domain associations across morphological, chromatic, and biochemical variables, and statistically significant but low-magnitude cross-domain associations (e.g., fruit length with pungency, redness with total phenolics). Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering resolved three differentiated phenotypic profiles: (i) low-pungency accessions with high soluble solids and varied fruit colors; (ii) highly pungent materials with elevated antioxidant capacity; and (iii) large, red-fruited accessions with considerable carotenoid content and high moisture. This multivariate architecture revealed weak cross-block correlations among agronomic, color, and functional traits, enabling selection of promising accessions combining desirable agronomic attributes and favorable bioactive profiles in specific accessions. These results provide a quantitative foundation for future breeding strategies in C. pubescens, opening concrete opportunities to develop improved cultivars that simultaneously meet productivity and functional quality criteria.

Coffee quality arises from the interaction among genotype, environment, and postharvest management, yet few large-scale studies jointly integrate agronomic, phytochemical, and processing traits. We characterized 150 Coffea arabica L. accessions from six Peruvian regions, evaluated in the INIA coffee germplasm collection, quantifying agro-morphological traits, colorimetric parameters in cherries and beans, fermentation indicators, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. Correlation analyses showed that total phenolics (TPCs) and total flavonoids (TFCs) were strongly associated with antioxidant activity, whereas caffeine content (CAF) varied, largely independently. Several chromatic parameters in parchment and green coffee (a*, b*, C*) showed positive correlations with phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), while final fermentation pH (FPH) was negatively associated with these compounds, supporting both color metrics and pH as operational indicators of chemical quality. Principal component analysis disentangled a morphometric gradient from a functional (phenolic–antioxidant) gradient, indicating that bean size and antioxidant potential can be improved in a semi-independent manner. Hierarchical clustering identified complementary ideotypes, and a multi-trait selection index highlighted promising accessions—PER1002197 (Cajamarca), PER1002222 (Cajamarca), PER1002288 (Pasco), and PER1002184 (Cajamarca)—that combine high phenolic/antioxidant levels, favorable chlorogenic acid (CGA)/trigonelline (TGN) profiles, contrasting (high/low) caffeine, and competitive yield (YPP)/bean size. These accessions represent promising candidates for breeding climate-smart and nutraceutical-oriented coffee.

Quinoa is an Andean crop that stands out as a high-quality protein-rich and gluten-free food. However, its increasing popularity exposes quinoa products to the potential risk of adulteration with cheaper cereals. Consequently, there is a need for novel methodologies to accurately characterize the composition of quinoa, which is influenced not only by the variety type but also by the farming and processing conditions. In this study, we present a rapid and straightforward method based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) to generate global fingerprints of quinoa proteins from white quinoa varieties, which were cultivated under conventional and organic farming and processed through boiling and extrusion. The mass spectra of the different protein extracts were processed using the MALDIquant software (version 1.19.3), detecting 49 proteins (with 31 tentatively identified). Intensity values from these proteins were then considered protein fingerprints for multivariate data analysis. Our results revealed reliable partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) classification models for distinguishing between farming and processing conditions, and the detected proteins that were critical for differentiation. They confirm the effectiveness of tracing the agricultural origins and technological treatments of quinoa grains through protein fingerprinting by MALDI-TOF-MS and chemometrics. This untargeted approach offers promising applications in food control and the food-processing industry.

Grapevines face the dual challenge of sustaining yield and fruit quality under arid and increasingly variable environmental conditions. This study characterized the phenotypic variability and multi-year stability of 49 grapevine (Vitis spp.) accessions conserved in the Chincha germplasm bank over three consecutive growing seasons, with the aim of identifying promising material for table grape, pisco (a traditional grape-based distilled spirit from Peru), and wine production. Morphological traits (cluster weight, berry weight and dimensions), colorimetric parameters (CIELAB), and physicochemical attributes (moisture, dry matter, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, maturity index, and reducing sugars) were evaluated. Multivariate analyses (PCA, hierarchical clustering), genotype × environment interaction models (AMMI and GGE), stability indices (ASV and WAASBY), and assessments of interannual stability were applied, together with a multi-criteria selection index tailored to the intended end use. The results revealed two contrasting phenotypic profiles: one characterized by high berry volume/weight and elevated water content and another with smaller berries but higher dry matter, sugars, balanced acidity, and superior maturity indices. Genotypic effects were predominant for size-related traits such as berry weight, whereas titratable acidity and reducing sugars exhibited a more pronounced genotype × year interaction, supporting the use of AMMI models and the WAASBY index to select genotypes that are both productive and stable. The ranking identified accessions PER1002061, PER1002062, and PER1002168 as outstanding candidates for table grape production; PER1002076, PER1002097, and PER1002156 for pisco; and PER1002122, PER1002131, PER1002135, and PER1002098 as accessions with high oenological potential. Overall, these findings highlight the value and diversity of Peruvian grapevine germplasm and provide a foundation for breeding programs targeting varieties adapted to specific market niches, including table grape, wine, and pisco.