Abstract: An autoclave (1) is provided with an internal table (1) upon which articles to be sterilised can be placed. The autoclave is provided with a mechanism (2, 3, 5) for shaking or vibrating the table, and thereby shaking or vibrating the liquid undergoing sterilization, resulting in a more even temperature distribution within the liquid, thereby reducing the length of time for sterilization and reducing the occurrence of flash evaporation of the culture medium. The shaking or vibration may, for example, be induced by a shaft (2) which passes sealingly through a wall of the autoclave or may be induced by a number of magnets (41) located on a ring (38) around the autoclave which magnetically attract associated magnets (35) on the table within the autoclave.

Abstract: Improving the cold water soluble properties of gelatin, in which a raw gelatin having a water content of more than 8% by weight is subjected to microwave heating using microwave energy to remove at least 35% of said water content to obtain a treated gelatin having a water content of not more than 16% by weight. The thus-obtained gelatin exhibits improved solubility in cold water. If desired, an expanding agent may be added to the raw gelatin before the microwave heating, thereby it is possible to obtain a treated gelatin having better transparency and outlook.