Introduction. Pitaya peel has been applied as a functionalingredient for food due to the presence of betacyanins. However its polysaccharides canalso contribute as a texture agent for food. The aim of this work was to evaluate thechemical characteristics and rheological behavior of the pitaya peel. Materials andmethods. The samples were analyzed with regard to moisture and mineral content,protein, lipids, sugar, fiber, vitamin C, titratable acidity, soluble solids content andpH. Rheological measurements were performed on rheometer through flow curve, stress sweep,frequency sweep and the variation of temperature. Results and discussion. Theresults showed that pitaya peel is rich in insoluble fibers and exhibits non-Newtonianbehavior, characteristic of a strong gel with a predominance of solid character.Furthermore, samples showed thermal resistance at the conditions of frequency, tension andtemperature analyzed. Conclusion. Considering our results, in addition to useas a natural colorant in food, pitaya peel can also contribute to the nutritional valueand texture of the products.

In northern Patagonia (Argentina), local goats are reared under extensive production system with low inputs. Approximately 700,000 goats of local breeds (Criolla Neuquina, Colorado Pampeana and others) and 550,000 Angora, which produce cashmere and mohair are being raised by about 6000 small holders. Cashmere has a potential development of 15 tons. Due to considering the high variability in fibre traits, good response to selection is expected. Based on participatory processes, development of handicraft and industrial products are promoted. Mohair production is being improved. Argentina is the world's fourth largest producer of fibre (825 tons). Its current development is promoted by the “Mohair Program”, that based on organisation, use of appropriate technologies for shearing, fibre classification and breeding. The “Program” as a whole sells 10% of total country's production, with fair criteria to determine quality and trade values. Solutions to productive problems have been facilitated by strengthening the organisations and by the participation of producers. Extension and technology transfer contributed to improve quantity and quality of the traditional products. Moreover they focus positively on the traditional productive processes. In the cases: cashmere and mohair producers are strongly connected to land and goats, on which they are dependent. They perceive themselves as valued thus overcoming the restrictions of the system.

Pacomarca is an experimental ranch founded by the INCA group to act as a selection nucleus from which basic genetic improvement of alpaca fibre can spread throughout the rural communities in the Peruvian Altiplano. State-of-art techniques in animal science, such as performance recording or assisted reproduction including embryo transfer, are applied to demonstrate their usefulness in the Altiplano conditions. Pacomarca has developed useful software (Paco Pro) to carry out the integral processing of production and reproduction data. Mating is carried out individually, and gestation is diagnosed via ultrasound. Breeding values estimated from a modern genetic evaluation are used for selection, and embryo transfer is applied to increase the selection intensity. However, the objective of Pacomarca goes beyond, extending its advances to the small rural communities. Training courses for farmers are organised while searching for new ways of improving the performance of alpacas both technically and scientifically.