Pinecrest Investment Group, Inc. Begins Talks to Develop Hydroponic ''Super Herbs''.

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 1999--

Pinecrest Investment Group, http://www.pncr.net/ (OTCBB:PNCR) and Paracelsian, Inc. (OTCBB:PRLN) ITHACA, N.Y. http://www.paracelsian.com announced today that they have initiated discussions to integrate Paracelsian's BioFIT "functional" bioassay technology with Pinecrest's cutting edge hydroponic farming technology.

Pinecrest is considering advancing its timetable to enter the medicinal herb growing business. "Our preeminence in the growing of food products has already opened doors for potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in sales during the next four years", said David B. Howe, President and CEO. "We had planned to explore the joining of our "super herb" technology with the medicinal market but we were concerned that customers would have difficulty distinguishing the superior quality and health benefits. Now consumers who wish to be sure that the herbs that they are buying are of the highest possible standards will be able to look for the BioFIT(TM) stamp of quality."

It has been estimated that the medicinal herb market includes up to $7 billion in herbs grown outside the country under questionable conditions as well as domestic bulk growing which has not historically used any functional bio-assay technology to assess and ensure optimal levels of biological activity in mechanisms responsible for the products' benefits.

David B. Howe adds, "our experiments have shown that Pinecrest's unique process not only grows the plants more quickly and more robustly than other methods but that it tends to produce 30% more oils in the plants which often are where bio-active ingredients can be found beyond the cellulose which all plants produce."

The companies expect that their discussions will quickly lead to a definitive agreement to begin development of a new generation of "super herbs" such as Echinacea and St. John's Wort, two of the most commonly consumed medicinal herbs. Under such a plan, Paracelsian would utilize its functional bioassays to assess and ensure optimal levels of biological activity in mechanisms responsible for the products benefits. This includes inhibition of Seratonin and Dopamine re-uptake for St. John's Wort and activation and increased proliferation of immune cells for Echinacea. Pinecrest would use its innovative hydroponics technology, which includes a unique approach to plant nourishment to ensure the highest possible level of active compounds and related biological activity.

"We believe that the best place to begin assuring optimal biological activity for herbs is right at the farm," said Bernie Landes, Paracelsian's President and CEO. "Pinecrest's new generation Hydroponic growing technology offers the best possible opportunity to create medicinal herbs that are of optimal potency and consistency. At the same time these new technologies can provide consumers with products that are organically grown, pesticide-free and free of heavy metals or any other harmful contaminants. These are all critical issues in the minds of consumers relative to current herbal products and an integral part of Paracelsian's approach to quality assurance. We are excited at the idea of working with Pinecrest to develop truly "super" herbs," he added.

The BioFIT(TM) "functional" quality assurance program (U.S. Patent Pending) provides a unique way to validate the label claims of herbal products by guaranteeing biological activity, in mechanisms associated with the products benefit claim, that is equal to or better than that seen with clinically tested products. And because, in the case of herbal products, chemical analysis alone has proven to be an inadequate predictor of biological activity, BioFIT offers consumers a new, better way to differentiate from among the countless product offerings available to them.

About the Company: Pinecrest Investment Group, Inc. has spent close to 4 years and over $3 million dollars developing a technological breakthrough in the growing of all types of food and health products. Specialists from the University of Florida, the University of Utah and Florida Southern College participated in the study. The high proficiency food factories' use of hydroponics have recorded yields resulting in bigger leaves, more oil content and quadruple harvesting. Individuals with over 185 combined years of farming experience were consulted, as well as mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers, with experience in organic fertilization and pest control. The contributing insight from these people has allowed Pinecrest to construct the optimal growing environment offering superior produce. Major hydroponics experts and greenhouse manufacturers were used on the final phase of the study, to perform detailed analyses of the technical, fiscal and nutritional aspects of the technology. Finally all the knowledge that was brought together for experiments with herbs and lettuces, which confirmed the advancement of this technology, has resulted in a "Breakthrough Food Growth System," which is a first-to-market technology.

For further information contact David B. Howe at [phone] or visit: http://www.pncr.net

Safe harbor statements/comments under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information contained herein may contain forward-looking wording, all such forward-looking wording is by necessity needed to describe the business of the company. Actual results of this company may differ materially from the wording contained herein, due to a number of factors. Pinecrest Investment Group Inc. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking wording to reflect the actual business activity/results of the company. You should independently investigate and fully understand all risk/reward factors before making investment decisions.