Sono-Tek Anti-Microbial Coater Enhances Safety and Shelf Life of Muffins

MILTON, N.Y., April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sono-Tek Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: SOTK), announced today that it has successfully completed a 4 month field test of its anti-microbial coater in a full industrial scale setting. The ultrasonic spray coater applies a solution of the FDA approved anti-microbial agent, Potassium Sorbate.  The application was tested on a high capacity, hi-speed line of muffins, as they freshly exit from the oven. The muffins, which are a relatively high moisture content, high water activity product, are susceptible to mold spoilage and a very short shelf life, unless they are protected by a topical anti-microbial solution.

The new coating equipment provides a superior technical solution to the challenge of applying "just the right amount" of a continuous, uniform thin layer of an anti-microbial protection on the product, to enhance safety, increase shelf life and as a result – reduce waste and increase profits.

Previous generation, conventional pressure-assisted spraying systems, produce a large range of droplet sizes, and as a result they depend on significant overspray to guarantee application of the anti-microbial solutions across the entire surface of the product. Also, their nozzles are easily clogged by Potassium Sorbate, and require constant supervision and maintenance.

The unique advantages of Sono-Tek ultrasonic spraying are superior transfer efficiency and no clogging.  Accordingly, the Sono-Tek ultrasonic spray coater uses significantly less anti-microbial solution, while providing a controllable, uniform, micronic layer protection, with practically no maintenance. These technical advantages are of significant economical value for the Food industry in general, and for the Baked Goods industry in particular.

The equipment was field tested by a leading global baked goods manufacturer, and has the potential to become the standard operational unit for enhancing shelf life of high water activity food products, by direct application onto the food surface.

According to Dr. Joseph Riemer, President, "Sono-Tek's patent pending ultrasonic spray coating applications for the food industry are based on technology transfer from the Company's successful experience and expertise in medical device coating (cardiac stents) and in specialty coating of moisture barriers on biodegradable packaging films and trays. We are now evaluating the use of the same ultrasonic spraying technology to enhance the safety of meat and dairy food products and operations, by accurate and uniform application of FDA approved anti-microbial solutions directly onto food and equipment surfaces."

Sono-Tek's new Ultrasonic Food Coating systems are available to food manufacturers for evaluating the compatibility of their liquid coating needs with ultrasonic atomization technology. These needs can be tested in a continuous, pilot plant setting in Sono-Tek's laboratory, as well as in a full industrial scale capacity at the client's manufacturing plant. Sono-Tek Corporation provides food manufacturers with state-of-the-art tools for new product and process development not available elsewhere or before.

Sono-Tek will present its ultrasonic food coating technology at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) annual Conference and Expo, in Chicago on July 18 – 20, 2010, Booth # 7242.

For further information, contact Dr. Joseph Riemer, at 845-795-2020, or visit our website at www.sono-tek.com

Sono-Tek Corporation is a leading developer and manufacturer of liquid spray products based on its proprietary ultrasonic nozzle technology.  Founded in 1975, the Company's products have long been recognized for their performance, quality, and reliability.

This press release contains forward looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Sono-Tek Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include, among other considerations, general economic and business conditions; political, regulatory, competitive and technological developments affecting the Company's operations or the demand for its products; timely development and market acceptance of new products; adequacy of financing; capacity additions, the ability to enforce patents and the ability to achieve increased sales volume and continued profitability. We refer you to documents that the company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which includes Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs containing additional important information.

SOURCE Sono-Tek Corporation