This study was conducted to determine the optimal extraction conditions for maca by comparing the yields, total polyphenol contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and the nitrite scavenging ability. The proximate composition analysis showed 6.57% moisture, 12.83% crude protein, 1.05% crude fat, 4.80% ash and 74.75% carbohydrate. Maca was extracted with 7 different solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform and hexane) and the extracts were tested for biological activities. The extraction yields of water, methanol and ethanol extracts were 46.2%, 21.4% and 16.8%, respectively. Acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform and hexane exhibited very low extraction yield, ranging from 0.2 to 1.0%. Total polyphenol contents and the nitrite scavenging ability were the highest in water extract. Electron donating ability and the SOD-like activity were the highest in methanol extract. When water extract was drawn out at different extraction temperatures (30, 70, $100^{\circ}C$) and time (1, 3, 5 hr), the improved biological activities (total polyphenol contents, electron donating ability, SOD-like activity and nitrite scavenging ability) were found in extracts treated at $100^{\circ}C$ for 3 or 5 hrs.