| Field | Detail |
|---|
| Commercial Name | Yacón — Fresh / Dried Whole Root |
| ELMNT Code | Yn·05.1 |
| Botanical Name | Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob. |
| Plant Family | Asteraceae |
| Geographic Origin | Andean Highlands · Cajamarca · Amazonas · Peru |
| Cultivation Altitude | 1,000 – 2,800 m.a.s.l. |
| Plant Part Used | Tuberous root (storage root) |
| Processing Method | Hand-harvested · Washed · Sorted · Fresh or sun-dried whole · No additives |
| Cold Chain Required | Yes for fresh · Ambient for dried |
| HS Code (Reference) | 0714.90.90.00 ¹ |
¹ HS code provided for reference only. Fresh yacón root is subject to phytosanitary controls at origin (SENASA Peru) and at destination markets. Importers must verify import permits and applicable tariff classification prior to shipment. Dried form does not require cold chain.
Yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a tuberous root native to the Andean highlands of Peru, distinguished by its exceptionally high content of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) — prebiotic dietary fibers that are not metabolized by the human digestive system, resulting in a very low glycemic index despite a naturally sweet flavor. The fresh root has a crisp, juicy texture reminiscent of water chestnut or jicama, with a mild sweet taste. It is commercially traded in fresh, dried whole, and processed forms and has gained significant traction in functional food and prebiotic supplement markets globally.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|
| Appearance (fresh) | Large tuberous root · brown skin · cream to yellow flesh |
| Appearance (dried) | Whole dried root · shrunken · dark brown skin |
| Color (flesh) | Cream to pale yellow · natural |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet · crisp · low sugar perception despite natural FOS |
| Aroma | Neutral · characteristic root · clean |
| Foreign Matter | Absent |
| Parameter | Unit | Reference Range |
|---|
| Moisture (fresh) | % | 85.0 – 92.0 |
| Moisture (dried) | % | ≤ 12.0 |
| Total Soluble Solids (fresh) | °Brix | 8.0 – 14.0 |
| pH | — | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Crude Protein | % (dry basis) | 4.0 – 8.0 |
| Total Fat | % (dry basis) | 0.3 – 1.0 |
| Total Carbohydrates | % (dry basis) | 70.0 – 85.0 |
| Crude Fiber | % (dry basis) | 3.0 – 6.0 |
| Ash | % (dry basis) | ≤ 4.5 |
Parameters based on international technical literature for Smallanthus sonchifolius. Fresh and dried forms share this HS code — differentiation established by moisture content and customs description. Exact values certified per lot via COA.
| Compound | Unit | Reference Range |
|---|
| Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) | % (dry basis) | 35.0 – 70.0 |
| Inulin | % (dry basis) | 10.0 – 25.0 |
| Total Phenolic Compounds | mg GAE/100g db | 50.0 – 150.0 |
| Chlorogenic Acid | mg/100g db | 20.0 – 80.0 |
FOS content is the primary commercial differentiator of yacón. FOS pass through the small intestine undigested, acting as a prebiotic substrate for beneficial gut microbiota. Low glycemic index despite natural sweetness. Content varies significantly by cultivar and harvest time.
| Parameter | Unit | Limit |
|---|
| Total Plate Count | CFU/g | ≤ 100,000 |
| Total Coliforms | CFU/g | ≤ 100 |
| E. coli | CFU/g | ≤ 10 |
| Salmonella spp. | /25g | Absent |
| Yeast & Mold | CFU/g | ≤ 1,000 |
| Staphylococcus aureus | CFU/g | Absent |
| Metal | Unit | Maximum Limit |
|---|
| Lead (Pb) | mg/kg | ≤ 0.10 |
| Cadmium (Cd) | mg/kg | ≤ 0.05 |
| Arsenic (As) | mg/kg | ≤ 0.10 |
| Mercury (Hg) | mg/kg | ≤ 0.02 |
Limits aligned with EU Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and FDA guidance values.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Storage Temp (fresh) | 4°C – 10°C (39°F – 50°F) · Refrigerated |
| Storage Temp (dried) | ≤ 20°C (68°F) · Ambient |
| Relative Humidity | ≤ 65% (dried) · 85–90% (fresh) |
| Shelf Life (fresh) | 14 – 30 days refrigerated |
| Shelf Life (dried · sealed) | 18 months from production date |
Fresh form requires refrigerated cold chain throughout supply chain. FOS content degrades over time — storage conditions directly affect prebiotic activity. Dried form is stable at ambient temperature with low humidity.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Fresh Packaging | Ventilated export carton box · Refrigerated |
| Dried Packaging | Multi-layer kraft paper bag with inner PE liner |
| Net Weight per Unit | 10 kg / 20 kg (fresh) · 25 kg (dried) |
| Units per Pallet | 40 bags (dried) · Upon inquiry (fresh) |
| Pallet Dimensions | Standard pallet · 100 × 120 cm |
| Custom Packaging | Available upon request for volumes ≥ 1 FCL |
USDA NOP Organic◎ Upon Request
EU Organic (EC) 848/2018◎ Upon Request
Non-GMO◎ Upon Request
Kosher◎ Upon Request
Halal◎ Upon Request
Allergen Status◎ Upon Request
Full certification documentation available exclusively upon formal commercial request via trade@elmntglobal.com
EXW
FCA
FAS
FOB
CFR
CIF
CPT
CIP
DAP
DPU
Port of loading and destination terms confirmed upon formal inquiry. Available to all major international ports.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) — per lot
Phytosanitary Certificate — per shipment · SENASA Peru
Organic Certificates (NOP / EU Organic)
Certificate of Origin
Cold Chain Compliance Record — per shipment
Bill of Lading (BL)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
TDS — Extended Version
All documentation available exclusively upon formal commercial request via trade@elmntglobal.com
The specifications contained in this document are provided for reference purposes only and are based on established international technical literature for Plukenetia volubilis L. They do not constitute a guarantee of quality, specification warranty, or binding commercial offer. Actual parameters are certified on a per-lot basis via independent Certificate of Analysis (COA), available upon formal request. ELMNT Global USA LLC reserves the right to update specifications as new technical data becomes available. This document does not replace a formal purchase agreement or sales contract.