The importance of minimizing microorganism contamination in producing quality maple products has been repeatedly emphasized. Two pieces of equipment being used by some maple producers to minimize microorganism contamination of sap are ultraviolet lights and small pore filters. In many instances, this has resulted in longer sap storage times without a reduction in the grade of syrup produced, and in the production of higher-quality syrup, particularly late in the season when microorganism contamination is at its highest. Commercial in-line ultraviolet light units for use in treating maple sap are available through maple equipment dealers.
Extreme caution is necessary when using ultraviolet light as it can cause permanent eye damage.
Ultraviolet lights suspended over sap storage tanks are extremely dangerous to the naked eye. An in-line ultraviolet light for treating sap. Microorganisms in sap range in size from hundreds of microns to less than a micron, and multiply very rapidly. Commercial sap filters, as well as other types of liquid food filters, can be used to filter microorganisms from sap, potentially increasing its storage life and the quality of syrup produced. In general, the finer the filter the more effective the filtering process.