Page 5 – Maple Research

Sanitation, Clogging, or Both: A Comparison Study of 3/16″ and 5/16″ Maple Tubing

It is well recognized that microbial contamination of tubing systems can result in a substantial loss in sap yield if untreated. Over a decade of research and maple industry experience has produced a range of possible strategies to address sanitation-related issues in 5/16Ó tubing systems (Perkins et. al. 2019). Although rapidly adopted by many maple producers, due to the relatively short time period in which it has been in widespread use, there is far less understanding of sanitation in 3/16Ó tubing systems (Wilmot 2018). To address this knowledge deficit, we conducted a multi-year study at the UVM Proctor Maple Research Center to examine sanitation-related losses in 3/16Ó tubing systems to determine which approach(es) might best mitigate sap losses due to sanitation.

Publication:: Maple Syrup Digest
Date:: December 1, 2019

Should droplines be replaced when using check valve adapters or spouts?

Since check valve adaptors and spouts reduce sap backflow, this research studied whether or not dropline replacement is as important to improving sap yield when using these taps.

Publication:: Maple News
Date:: March 1, 2014

Spout and Dropline Sanitation for High Maple Sap Yields

Techniques to manage spout and dropline sanitation in 5/16″ vacuum tubing systems for high yield maple production.

Date:: April 1, 2020

Sugar House Discharge

Patrick Fry (Ag engineer with VT Agency of Ag. Food and Markets) covers issues related to maple operations and possible water quality issues. This presentation discusses easy (and cheap) solutions for mitigate most concerns the VT Agency of Agriculture (VAAFM) and Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) may have. The talk also covers VAAFM grant programs and how/when they may be applicable.

Date:: April 11, 2018

Timing of Spout and Dropline Deployment Has No Effect on Sap Yield

This aim of this project was to determine whether early spout and dropline deployment before tapping could be used while maintaining good sanitation levels and high sap yields.

Publication:: Maple Syrup Digest
Date:: September 1, 2021

Treatment of Sugar Maple Sap with In-Line Ultraviolet Light

We initiated a controlled test of the effect of in-line UV light on the microorganisms in free-flowing sugar maple sap that had not been treated by PFA pellets at the taphole. We also wanted to test the effect of temperature-controlled sap storage for five intervals up to 7 days (167 h) prior to processing to syrup.

Date:: January 1, 1983

Update on the Maple Tubing Sanitation Research in Ontario

In the spring of 1998, a research project was initiated to develop alternative methods for maple produces using plastic tubing systems. Although the results are only preliminary, the development of alternative sanitation methods that may reduce reliance on chlorine is looking very promising.

Publication:: Maple Syrup Digest
Date:: June 1, 2000