0832 Alpaca fiber quality in Ecuadorian Andes

Abstract

Nowadays, the importance of fiber from alpaca is increasing worldwide. Therefore, studies about the fiber quality from those animals is requested. To analyze the alpaca fiber quality in Ecuador, 143 alpacas from 3 rural communities from Chimborazo province and 223 alpacas from 7 rural communities from Cañar province were sampling on the middle rib area. Samples were evaluated with a wool-meter and calibrated ruler. Fiber quality was established based on four variables: diameter (D), number of crimps (NR), length (L), and medullation rate (M). These characteristics were analyzed according to sex and age. Multifactorial ANOVA method was applied with Tukey-Kramer adjustment. Values were considered significant when P < 0.05. Furthermore, to establish correlations between parameters, the Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized. In Chimborazo provinces, the following averages were obtained: D: 21.75 μm, NR: 2.12 crimps/cm, L: 11.97 cm, and M of 35.3%. For D, young animals presented finer fiber than old animals. Similarly, males showed finer fiber than females. For NR, older females showed fewer crimps per cm than other groups. Older males presented the longest fiber (L). No effect of sex or age was found in M. In Cañar province, the following averages were obtained: D 21.72 μm, NR: 2.78 crimps/cm, L: 15.16 cm, and M of 53.9%. For D, young animals presented finer fiber than old animals, and sex had no effect on this variable. For NR, older animals showed fewer crimps per cm than young animals, while males had fewer crimps than females. Older animals presented longer fiber than young animals, while males showed shorter fiber than females. No effect of sex or age was found in M. Furthermore, in both provinces the diameter and medullation were strongly correlated. In conclusion, the alpacas raised in the Ecuadorian Andes have a good fiber quality, but it is necessary to improve it to increase the fabric craft quality. Sex and age must be considered for fiber quality.

Vicugna pacos, South American camelids, Ecuador

© American Society of Animal Science 2016