BLUFFDALE, Utah, January 3, 2007 — Microbial-Vac Systems®, Inc., the leading innovator in pathogen surface sampling, has released for purchase the latest technology in pathogen collection.  The Microbial-Vac (M-Vac™) wet-vacuum collection system utilizes LAMDAC™ principles (Liquid and Air-assisted Microbial Detachment and Capture) to collect laboratory or field samples—typically from one-to-two square feet of surface area per sample in 100-150 ml liquid.  The M-Vac is designed to sample this larger area while recovering higher levels of pathogens in each sample than traditional methods.

Validation tests have demonstrated the pathogen recovery rate of the M-Vac to be up to 90 percent higher than traditional sampling methods.  Because the M-Vac reduces materials required for sampling, lab processing and detection, it has also proven to be a cost- and resource-effective method.  Studies from major universities and research centers have shown the M-Vac to return a statistically significant increase in recovery of low-inocula bacteria from cantaloupe rinds, carpet, meat carcasses and a variety of other common surfaces. These studies demonstrate the M-Vac to be notably higher in accuracy than sponge and swab techniques, and statistically equal to or higher than the “Gold Standard” of excision.

The development of the M-Vac began in response to the E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks in the 1990s when Dr. Bruce J. Bradley first began developing the M-Vac in his privately owned microbiology testing laboratory, Rocky Mountain Resource Labs, Inc., in Jerome, ID.  Raised on a beef cattle ranch and having spent many hours working in a university meat-processing lab, Dr. Bradley suspected a major component of false negative lab results could be traced to the sampling process.  From that idea, he developed the first generation non-destructive surface sampling device, which could collect bacterial pathogens at levels similar to the excision method.  In 2002, Dr. Bradley moved his research operation into a new, separate R&D corporation.  His team at Microbial-Vac Systems, Inc. continues to work on future generations of the system.

About Microbial-Vac Systems

Microbial-Vac Systems, Inc. continues to lead the way in pathogen collection through new sampling technology.  Their line of sampling equipment and supplies are now available for order.  They will be showcasing the product March 17-19 at the Food Safety and Security Summit at the Washington D.C. convention center, booth 1124.  For more information, contact Microbial-Vac Systems, Inc. at 877.523.3962 or visit their website at www.m-vac.com.