Contact Information: CONTACT: Michael Brennan Chairman Email: Telephone: (805) 557-0614
MIT 1000 System Enters Final AOAC Performance Test Method Certification Process
| Source: Micro Imaging Technology, Inc.
SAN CLEMENTE, CA--(Marketwire - February 9, 2009) - Micro Imaging Technology, Inc. (OTCBB : MMTC ) announces that its product, the MIT 1000 Rapid Microbial
Identification System, has entered the final stage of the Association of
Advanced Communities Research Institute (AOAC RI) Performance Test Method
certification process that is a pre-requisite for sales into the U.S. and
most international food protection markets. Each Performance Test Method is
independently tested, rigorously evaluated, and thoroughly analyzed by the
AOAC RI and its expert reviewers.
The identification (ID) process of the MIT 1000 is very different from
conventional methods and required several months of education and
discussions with the AOAC RI to create a suitable test protocol. Recently,
the test protocol was completed and is designed to test the MIT 1000 System
for accuracy, repeatability and robustness that will provide the User with
the confidence that our leading edge technology performs equal to or better
than any conventional microbiology ID method.
The certification process is separated into two major segments. The first
consists of accuracy and repeatability performance of MIT's test method and
is assigned to two laboratories: (1) MIT's laboratory in San Clemente, CA
and (2) the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (USDA - ARS) laboratory In
Pennsylvania. The second test segment determines the robustness of the
System's performance to typical User variations of our recommended ID test
procedure. The AOAC RI's initial Performance Test Method certification
will be for the ID of Listeria, closely followed by E.coli and Salmonella
-- which completes the list of the most ubiquitous food pathogens.
The MIT 1000 System has been reviewed by several potential buyers and
distribution partners in the food processing and clinical diagnostic
industries. Following successful completion of the Performance Test Method
certification, several major worldwide companies with multiple system
requirements will comprehensively evaluate MIT 1000 Systems for purchase.
During 2008, the MIT 1000 System was employed by two independent
laboratories, one of which was the USDA - ARS, and achieved excellent
results, with over 90 percent accuracy. MIT's technical team has made
further enhancements to the System's ID software algorithms and now expects
performance levels at or near 100 percent accuracy.
"The food industry is our initial targeted market where over $3 billion is
spent in rapid identification testing annually and rising at 10 percent per
year
-- which should accelerate after all the recent food product
contaminations. We are pleased with the development progress made in 2008
and strongly believe we will achieve AOAC RI performance test method
certification this quarter," stated Michael Brennan, MIT's Chairman. Mr.
Brennan further stated, "MIT's technology is totally GREEN and does not
require the use of reagents, chemicals or DNA processing to perform an ID
test, only clean water, thus yielding a per test cost of pennies. This
benefit, along with the System's ability to complete an ID test in less
than 5 minutes, has generated high interest in potential customers. We are
anxious to aggressively begin marketing this System."
About AOAC International and AOAC Research Institute:
AOAC International is a globally recognized, independent, not-for-profit
association founded in 1884. To attain its vision of "worldwide confidence
in analytical results," AOAC serves communities of the analytical sciences
by providing the tools and processes necessary to develop voluntary
consensus standards or technical standards through stakeholder consensus
and working groups in which the fit-for-purpose and method performance
criteria are established and fully documented.
The AOAC Research Institute is part of AOAC International and maintains an
up-to-the minute list of Performance Tested Methods. Performance Tested
Methods have been independently tested, rigorously evaluated, and
thoroughly reviewed by the AOAC Research Institute and its expert
reviewers.
About Micro Imaging Technology:
The Company has developed and patented a technology for rapid microbe
detection and identification. This System measures scattered light
intensity as individual microbes pass through a laser beam. The intensity
pattern of the scattered light is a direct consequence of the size, shape
and external and internal optical characteristics of the microbe. The MIT
System is non-biological and does not rely on biological agents,
conventional chemical processing, fluorescent tags, gas chromatography or
DNA analysis.
MIT has demonstrated the ability to detect and identify, within several
minutes, the microbes Escherichia coli, Listeria, Salmonella,
Staphylococcus aureus, and other pathogenic bacteria. MIT recently
performed over 300 tests for the identification of the aforementioned
contaminants and scored 95% accuracy. The System can currently identify 23
species of bacteria and its ID capability is easily expanded.
The identification process has been verified by North American Science
Associates, Inc. (NAMSA), an independent, internationally recognized
biological testing laboratory. The NAMSA Test Report, in the Company's
opinion, demonstrated the accuracy, speed and efficiency of the MIT System
over conventional processes and is available from the Company.
This release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature.
Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to
future events or conditions or that include words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar
expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are made
based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this
release, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking
statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and
actual results could differ materially from our current expectations.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are
not limited to dependence on suppliers; short product life cycles and
reductions in unit selling prices; delays in development or shipment of new
products; lack of market acceptance of our new products or services;
inability to continue to develop competitive new products and services on a
timely basis; introduction of new products or services by major
competitors; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees;
inability to expand our operations to support increased growth; and
declining economic conditions, including a recession. These and other
factors and risks associated with our business are discussed from time to
time within our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.