This study investigates the antimicrobial and water vapor barrier properties of biodegradable films made from potato (Solanum tuberosum) waste starch and the natural additives glycerol, propolis, and montmorillonite ("chaco"). Films were produced using the casting method, and their physical, antimicrobial, and barrier properties were analyzed. Film compositions were established using an experimental design of mixtures. The water vapor permeability values ranged from 0.44 × 10−10 to 8.55 × 10−10 g/(m·s·Pa). The permeation energy was lower than that of polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene films but higher than that of cellophane films. The solubility values ranged from 58 to 66%, and the tensile modulus ranged from 2.15 to 5.15 MPa. The largest inhibition halo diameter obtained for Staphylococcus aureus was 17 mm. The developed packages completely biodegrade within 30 days under co...

The application of artificial intelligence based on the multiple linear regression model with stochastic descending gradient is described in order to determine the quality of the white Huacaya alpaca fibre. In total, 1200 fibres corresponding to six alpaca samples were analysed. The fibres were characterized by optical microscopy and with the optical fibre diameter analyser (OFDA 100) equipment. Fibre diameter, medulla diameter, percentage of medullation by volume, comfort factor, and objectionable fibres were considered as independent variables, and the “Soft” factor was considered as a response variable. This last variable resulting from the difference in the comfort factor and objectionable fibres served to give a logical order to the data matrix and obtain an accurate prediction model. The average values were 26.80 ± 6.95 for the fibre diameter, 14.10 ± 5.92 for the medulla dia...