Abstract: The present invention provides a masking system for selectively applying cells to predetermined regions of a surface. A mask is positioned adjacent to a surface to cover some portions of the surface while allowing other portions of the surface to remain uncovered. Cells then are applied to uncovered portions of the surface and the mask removed. Alternatively, a cell-adhesion promoter is applied to uncovered portions of the surface, and then cells are applied to the surface before or after removal of the mask from the surface. The masking system can be pre-coated, at least on those surfaces which will come into contact with cells, with a cell-adhesion inhibitor to resist absorption of cells and thereby avoid cell damage when the mask is removed (if cells are deposited prior to removal of the mask). A polymeric elastomeric mask that comes into cohesive-conformal contact with a surface to be patterned can be used.

Abstract: Immobilized yeast for the production of alcoholic beverages is produced by forming calcium alginate beads containing yeast, hardening the beads for 30 to 180 minutes in a CaCl.sub.2 solution, washing the beads for 100 to 500 minutes at 5.degree. to 35.degree. C. with water which may have a salt content of up to 0.5 g/l and drying the beads at a temperature of 10.degree. to 50.degree. C. The immobilized yeast is particularly suitable for use in the bottle fermentation of sparkling wine.