The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) with remote reflectance fiber-optic probes for determining the mineral composition of propolis was evaluated. This technology allows direct measurements without prior sample treatment. Ninety one samples of propolis were collected in Chile (Bio-Bio region) and Spain (Castilla-León and Galicia regions). The minerals measured were aluminum, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and some potentially toxic trace elements such as zinc, chromium, nickel, copper and lead. The modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression method was used to develop the NIR calibration model. The determination coefficient (R2) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) obtained for aluminum (0.79, 53), calcium (0.83, 94), iron (0.69, 134) potassium (0.95, 117), magnesium (0.70, 99), phosphorus (0.94, 24) zinc (0.87, 10) chromium (0.48, 0.6) nickel (0.52, 0.7) copper (0.64, 0.9) and lead (0.70, 2) in ppm. The results demonstrated that the capacity for prediction can be considered good for wide ranges of potassium, phosphorus and zinc concentrations, and acceptable for aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron and lead. This indicated that the NIR method is comparable to chemical methods. The method is of interest in the rapid prediction of potentially toxic elements in propolis before consumption.

The constant increase in the demand for dairy products and their derivatives has generated a higher consumption of dairy products (113.5 t/year). Chile has not been the exception; in 2017, it presented an average per capita consumption of 11.1 kg of cheese, making it the largest consumer in Latin America, followed by Argentina (7.5 kg) and Uruguay (5 kg). Although Chile does not have a strong tradition of consuming sheep's milk cheese compared with other (European) countries, in recent years, there have been changes in the demands and expectations of cheese consumers, who demand higher quality and a wider range of varieties, thus establishing the potential for further products to enter the market. The global cheese industry has taken charge of these trends through the phenomenon of granting a premium value to certain products, adding new ingredients and flavors, producing limited editions of certain products, favoring traditional recipes and craft methods, and highlighting specific localities of origin. Given a greater appreciation for and popularity of locally produced cheeses and value-added products, particularly those with the highly valued "Designation of Origin" label, this would offer a potential for expansion in the Chilean market.

Gráfico 2 : Distribución porcentual del censo en producción ecológica por especie ganadera. _________________________________________________________________________46 Gráfico 3: Distribución del porcentaje del censo ovino por comunidades autónomas en producción ecológica. ______________________________________________________________47 Gráfico 4: Localización de las fincas comunales de la EXPL1. ________________________95 Gráfico 5: Localización de zonas de pastos en EXPL2. _______________________________98 Gráfico 6: Evolución de caracteres reproductivos en la EXPL1. ______________________105 Gráfico 7: Distribución de los partos según el mes del año.__________________________106 Gráfico 8: Diferencias de producción de leche según el mes de parto y el sistema de producción._______________________________________________________________________112 Gráfico 9: Variación del % de grasa y proteína de la leche en función del mes de parto y el sistema productivo._____________________________________________________________113 Gráfico 10: Frecuencias cubriciones estimadas a partir de las fechas de partos.