Overview

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Throughout our project, our highest priority was to ensure that our work was directly benefiting the lives of maple syrup producers and sugar makers. We have three primary approaches that we developed:

Approach #1: Our microcontroller-based biosensor called the “Saptameter,” is a novel glucometer specifically made to measure higher glucose levels in maple syrup without requiring the standard yet difficult dilution step.

• Using carbon electrodes, we were able to create a modified glucose strip that is able to sense high concentrations of glucose. Maple producers have to place a small sample of syrup on our test strip and the Saptameter will present a voltage reading commensurate to the concentration of glucose found in solution.

To learn more about the Saptameter, visit this page: Saptameter

Approach #2: We were able to produce a sarcosine aptasensor and develop a choline oxidase enzyme for their use in our buddy sap detection. Together these two components enable us to create a buddy syrup detection kit involving our Saptameter and two sets of modified screen printed electrodes. This kit would allow sugarmakers to detect buddyness in sap and prevent them from wasting valuable resources during the production process.

• Using carbon electrodes, maple syrup producers can test for sarcosine by placing a sample of sap on our modified sarcosine aptasensor. Our current method involves the use of a potentiostat, which shows an amplified signal when sarcosine is present in a sample. Our future goal is to integrate this into our Saptameter for easy accessibility and readout.

To learn more about the Sarcosine Aptasensor, visit this page: Sarcosine Aptasensor


• By the end of our project, we had successfully produced functional choline oxidase that could reliably detect choline levels found in maple sap. This enzyme would be deposited onto our screen printed electrode. Maple syrup producers would then place a sample of sap onto our modified choline sensor. Our future goal is to also integrate a modified choline strip into our Saptameter.

To learn more about the Choline Sensor, visit this page: Choline Sensor

Approach #3: We were also able to repurpose ropy syrup to produce dextran, which is a useful material in the production of hydrogels. These hydrogels are capable of absorbing large quantities of water, which can help seeds germinate in these gels. Repurposing of dextran into hydrogels could serve as an additional source of income for farmers for what otherwise would have been waste.

• The isolation of dextran requires the use of a centrifuge, which is not an accessible piece of equipment for most sugarmakers. Therefore, the repurposing of dextran would need to be conducted in a laboratory facility. The implementation of this aspect of our project would thus consist of connecting sugarmakers to an outsourced facility that specializes in dextran isolation. The sugarmakers would then be able to send in their ropy syrup, which the facility would purify to dextran and compensate sugarmakers accordingly.

To learn more about our Dextran Hydrogel, visit this page: Dextran Hydrogel

Our proposed end users are maple syrup producers and sugar makers who wish to test their maple syrup and sap samples for various small molecules including invert sugar and sarcosine. We met with several sugar makers and had them user-test the Saptameter on various samples of maple syrup. In addition, end users include producers who wish to repurpose ropy syrup.

Dextran Hydrogel (Approach #3)

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Steps for Dextran Repurposing:

Step #1: Sugarmakers would first collect any sample of ropy syrup they have
Step #2: The samples are shipped to a facility for repurposing
Step #3: The repurposed dextran, now a hydrogel, is either sent back to the farmers or sold elsewhere where the farmer can make a profit from any future sales
Step #4: Plant seeds can be placed into the hydrogels for seed germination

Implementing our approach of repurposing dextran would involve the use of a laboratory. The synthesized dextran from the syrup incubation is isolated and purified in order to create hydrogels. Hydrogels are cross-linked, hydrophilic polymers that have a variety of uses across many industries [2]. Once formed, these gels are able to hold water without dissolving, making them a great tool for water and material delivery. This process is not very straightforward for a maple producer to conduct hence a specialized facility would be needed.

By conducting this procedure of repurposing dextran in a specialized facility, many of the safety concerns from a farmer’s perspective would be resolved. However, it is crucial that the transportation process of the dextran is done effectively and safely. In addition, the repurposing of the dextran involves the use of live bacteria. This would theoretically be done in a contained and clean laboratory environment away from any potential hazards and contamination. The biggest challenge with this entire process has to do with the logistics surrounding transporting the ropy syrup to a facility and the corresponding dextran back to a farmer.