Abstract: A method for enhancing the freeness of pulp made from secondary fiber is provided by adding an enzymatic mixture comprised of cellulase and pectinase enzymes to the pulp and treating under conditions to cause a reaction to produce an enzymatically treated pulp. The freeness of the enzymatically treated pulp is increased from the initial freeness of the secondary fiber pulp without a loss in brightness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sonicating an article such that the liquid used as the sonication medium cannot recontaminate the article. A sonication medium in the form of a film of liquid is streamed over the article. A probe of a sonic horn is positioned in sonic energy transfer relationship to the sonication medium next to the article. Sound waves transmitted through the sonication medium dislodge particles from the article and into the sonication medium. The sonication medium carrying dislodged particles is drained away after passing the probe of the sonic horn. A subsequent sterilization means can be used to further clean the article. The article can be a web of packaging material used subsequent to sterilization for forming into individual containers for the aseptic packaging of foodstuffs or the like.

Abstract: A method for transforming a plant cell in vitro with a Ti plasmid. The method involves inoculating the plant cell with a strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, containing the Ti plasmid, in the presence of an opine metabolite, that is normally synthesized only by a plant cell which has already been transformed by the Ti plasmid, or in the presence of the precursors of the opine metabolite. However, the opine metabolite or its precursors, which are used, must also be able to induce conjugative activity of the Ti plasmid.