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There are many valuable plant species improved by ancient cultures and cultivated locally but of very limited expansion worldwide. Some are considered neglected and underutilized species, such as the root and tuber crops from the Andes. They constitute traditional energy sources basic for the food security in the region but they also are great source of functional foods and there is a traditional associated knowledge on their nutraceutical properties. In this review, we focus on a few species (ahipa, arracacha, mashua, yacon) evaluated in the LATINCROP project which gathered information regarding their conservation status, cultivation practices and traditional uses and to promote new culinary uses. At the same time, this review covers the latest studies on the food components and their possible nutraceutical properties which may increase the public awareness to promote their adoption.

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All over the world, there are species which may be considered as neglected or underutilized despite their nutritious properties. At present, such crops contribute to food security in isolated areas by providing energy and nutrients in a diversified diet. Such genetic heritage—improved by ancient cultures—is under threat of losing biodiversity as well as the traditional knowledge associated with their cultivation and usage. Among these species, the Andean root and tuber crops (ARTCs) constitute a valuable resource which should be preserved and popularized because of their food and functional properties. We studied three ARTC species (mashua, arracacha, and yacon) to provide data on their composition, essential for increasing their use globally. We compared their nutritional values with the values of more widely used crops. Important differences in nutrient composition among ARTC landraces were found. Mineral nutrients showed significant differences among species. Considerable variations in the contents of prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides or functional elements (antioxidants and glucosinolates) were found among species and intraspecific samples. Certainly, these species are important assets to complement human nutrition and to secure supply of functional elements for healthy diets.

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