Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for detecting the presence of biofilm-forming microorganisms in a paper or board making process for determining the need of an anti-biofilm agent in the process. The method comprises the steps: (a) subjecting a sampler device in the process line for a period of time to enable said microorganisms to form a biofilm in situ in said process on the surface of the sampler, (b) optionally treating said formed biofilm in a solution of a test anti-biofilm agent for a period of time, then (c) contacting said biofilm with a liquid growth medium in a recession of a culturing device for a period of time, and (d) removing the growth solution from the recession of said device and detecting qualitatively and/or quantitatively the presence or absence of a biofilm adhered on the walls of the recession. An assembly kit is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for detecting the presence of biofilm-forming microorganisms in a paper or board making process for determining the need of an anti-biofilm agent in the process. The method comprises the steps: (a) subjecting a sampler device in the process line for a period of time to enable said microorganisms to form a biofilm in situ in said process on the surface of the sampler, (b) optionally treating said formed biofilm in a solution of a test anti-biofilm agent for a period of time, then (c) contacting said biofilm with a liquid growth medium in a recession of a culturing device for a period of time, and (d) removing the growth solution from the recession of said device and detecting qualitatively and/or quantitatively the presence or absence of a biofilm adhered on the walls of the recession. An assembly kit is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting the biofilm formation by thermophilic adhering microbes of paper and board machines on the surfaces of paper or board machines, and/or removing such biofilms from the said surfaces by adding to the circulation waters of the paper or board machines at least one pure substance isolated from a plant or at least one plant extract or a mixture thereof in such a concentration which is effective against thermophilic adhering microbes. The invention further relates to a method of determining the need of the addition of an anti-biofilm agent in paper and board manufacturing processes, and an assembly kit suitable for the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a paper or cardboard product and to a product manufactured by the method. According to the invention, a cellulase enzyme is added to the product during manufacturing, said enzyme causing the product to decompose when exposed to moisture. The enzyme can be introduced into the product in connection with surface sizing, pigment coating or calendering, or it can be added in the form of a solution which is separately applied to the product in the dry end region of the paper or cardboard machine. Experiments have shown that a product manufactured as taught by the invention can be provided with a plastic coating without risk of destroying the enzyme. Cardboard produced by the method of the invention can be used in the manufacture of packages for liquids, of packing boxes or disposable containers, the cellulase enzyme serving to promote decomposition of the products after they have been brought as waste to dumping areas.

Abstract: Waste water purifying procedure intended to be used in treatment of waste water containing aromatic compounds. In a biofilter in a layer containing bark of wood there is formed a bacterial population comprising one or several of the bactery strains deposited in the Universite of Helsinki Institute of General Microbiology under the deposition codes YM 134-202 and YM 241-268 and which have been formed by packing into biofilters crushed coniferous tree bark and bacteriferous water, ooze, mud or bark residues taken from a water body polluted by chlorinated and unchlorinated phenols and by aromatic carboxylic acids and by thereafter feeding into the biofilters water containing said substances, whereby the bactery strains are characterized by tolerance of the presence of chlorinated and unchlorinated phenols and of aromatic carboxylic acids, and the waste water to be purified is conducted through the biofilter, whereby the waste water is purified by effect of action of the bactery population.