Pollution indexes are instruments that allow a quick interpretation of water quality, combining physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters to generate a numerical value. Our aim was to evaluate spatial and temporal-spatial water quality and propose a water pollution index (WPI) for high Andean rivers using multivariate statistics. Data on physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters were collected from the river water of the Chumbao sub-basin during the rainy and dry seasons at eight sampling points. The laboratory and field analysis methods were developed following the methodology proposed by the APHA. Spearman’s correlation, cluster analysis, and discriminate analysis were applied to evaluate water quality’s spatial and temporal variation and principal component analysis/factor analysis to identify critical parameters to formulate the Water Pollution Index (WPI). The parameters with the most incidence in water quality were color, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical demand oxygen, ammonia, total phosphorus, lead, chromium, and thermotolerant coliforms. The inorganic pollution index (IPI) was obtained from conductivity, lead, and chromium, reporting pollution levels for the river water between “none” to “high”; and the organic pollution index (OPI) was obtained from dissolved oxygen, biochemical demand oxygen, ammonia, total phosphorus, color, and thermotolerant coliforms, with levels of “low” to “very high” pollution. The proposed pollution indexes are water management instruments that evaluate water quality.

Chenopodium quinoa, a high Andean grain with excellent nutritional value and complex molecular structure, presents significant challenges in the bioavailability of nutrients and the functionality of its components. Germination as a biotechnological strategy generated significant modifications in four varieties of quinoa. The ungerminated and germinated samples’ physical–chemical, thermal, structural, and rheological properties were determined. Results showed increases in protein bioavailability (14.13% in Black Collana Quinoa (BCQ) and 12.79% in Red Pasankalla Quinoa (RPQ)), phenolic compounds (30.81 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/100 g in RPQ), flavonoids (108.53 mg Quercetin Equivalent/100 g in Yellow Marangani Quinoa (YMQ)), and antioxidant capacity (up to 241.43 μmol Trolox Equivalent/g in BCQ). Thermal analysis showed increases in gelatinization temperature (57.53 °C to 59.45 °C in RPQ) and a reduction in enthalpy (1.38 J/g to 0.67 J/g). Structural analysis showed similar functional groups, but variation in spectra intensity was related to starches and proteins. Rheological properties exhibited pseudoplastic behavior at 80 °C. Principal component analysis showed a clear difference between germinated and non-germinated samples. The germination process significantly modified quinoa, improving its nutritional and functional properties and generating new opportunities for its application in the development of biodegradable materials and functional foods.

Quinoa, considered a superfood, is grown in the high Andean zones of Peru and Bolivia. The competitiveness, organizational capacity, and technological level of the producers limit their production. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of competitiveness on the performance of quinoa producer associations in the high Andes. The study was developed in the production period of 2022–2023 and considered associations of quinoa producers from different localities. The correlation between competitiveness (corporate identity, resources, and potential) and production performance (financial and non-financial) was studied. The data were collected through a questionnaire with closed questions and a Likert scale and presented normal distribution, and a one-factor ANOVA, Pearson′s correlation, and PCA at 5% significance were applied. Twenty-three quinoa producer associations were identified with 15 years of organic quinoa production of the varieties of Blanca de Junín, Choclito, Pasankalla, Negra, and Roja, with production ranging from 17 to 40.8 tons grown in a semi-mechanized way. It was observed that the general competitiveness of the associations was rated as moderately inadequate despite good performance; this behavior was more marked in the associations in urban areas such as Andahuaylas and San Jeronimo. Urban quinoa associations have higher quality than rural ones. Competitiveness is limited by a lack of human resources training, government commitment, and strategic alliances, which predicts low sustainability.

Coffee production is one of the main sources of income for products from Peru’s inter-Andean valleys. However, the rugged geographical conditions offer few growing areas with different altitudes, which could lead to variations in the quality of the beans and, consequently, of the coffee in the cup. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of altitudinal gradients on the exportable yield, and physical and cup quality of the Typica and Catimor varieties produced in the Inkawasi inter-Andean valley of Cusco, Peru. Coffee beans produced at altitudes of 1600, 1800, and 2100 m were considered, and the physical quality of parchment and green coffee was evaluated using Peruvian Technical Standards and the SCAA guidelines. Similarly, the sensory attributes of the coffee in the cup were assessed according to criteria established by the SCAA by five certified tasters. It was observed that increasing altitude considerably reduces pest attack and damage in both varieties and increases secondary damage, shrinkage, and exportable yield, which ranged from 79.12 to 81.98%. Sensory attributes ranged from “Very Good” to “Extraordinary”, allowing the Specialty Grade (>80 points) to be achieved according to SCAA standards. The PCA revealed that the Typica variety has superior sensory qualities that improve with altitude. The coffee produced in the Inkawasi valleys is well received on the international market, especially that grown above 1800 m. Its sustainable cultivation could improve the socioeconomic conditions of its inhabitants.

The quality of water for human consumption depends on the supply method and source type. Water may contain pathogens and excessive constituents that pose health risks, and timely monitoring and planned service provision help ensure its quality. This study assessed the supply system, quality, and health risks associated with the consumption of water from three sources in the high-elevation Andean city of Andahuaylas, Peru, managed by the Municipal Sanitation Service Provider Chanka (EMSAP). The sources were found to provide between 0.8 and 32 L/s, with consumption of about 17 m³ per connection per month, at a cost of 0.20 USD/m³. The system shows a current deficit and a projected deficit for 2027 due to increasing user debts and the absence of mechanisms for payment for ecosystem services (PESs), despite the existence of cross-subsidies. Water quality, assessed using the WQI-Pe, ranged from regular to excellent, although with high levels of heavy metals according to the Environmental Quality Standards for Water (EQS–Peru), which increases the non-carcinogenic health risk. Chronic non-carcinogenic exposure (HQ) from consumption and dermal contact exceeded one, mainly for arsenic (As), while the deterministically and probabilistically evaluated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was linked to high levels of As, Cr, and Cd across all age groups (infants, children, adolescents, and adults). Overall, this study provides insight into the state of water in areas without conventional treatment, so the implementation of buffer zones in the basin’s headwaters in localities with similar characteristics is vital.