Abstract: A packaging unit or a container for transport and/or storage of items that require orientation control, comprising an outer housing element and an inner retaining element, the retaining element being held within the housing element and capable of moving independently of the housing element about at least one axis the retaining element being adapted to retain the item and comprising a means for biasing the orientation of the inner retaining element with respect to a fixed external orientation.

Abstract: A packaging unit or a container for transport and/or storage of items that require orientation control, comprising an outer housing element and an inner retaining element, the retaining element being held within the housing element and capable of moving independently of the housing element about at least one axis the retaining element being adapted to retain the item and comprising a means for biasing the orientation of the inner retaining element with respect to a fixed external orientation.

Abstract: Microorganisms which may be in the form of homogenated anaerobic sludge are immobilized in a polymeric gel matrix containing chitosan and lignosulphonate. A mixture of chitosan solution and a microorganism is added dropwise to a solution of lignosulphonate to crosslink chitosan droplets and form beads of chitosan/lignosulphonate matrix membrane encapsulating the microorganism. Alternatively, the mixture is added to a water-insoluble organic phase to form chitosan beads in an emulsion, and to the emulsion is added a lignosulphonate solution to crosslink the beads and form a chitosan/lignosulphonate matrix membrane encapsulating the microorganism. In another embodiment, anaerobic bacteria in the form of granules are encapsulated in the chitosan/lignosulphonate matrix membrane and the membrane contains another bacterial specie(s).