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Methanotrophs display the ability to consume methane as a carbon source and produce a wide-range of high-value products, e.g. ectoine/hydroxyectoine, poly-b-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), single cell protein, extracellular polysaccharides and lipids. Usually methanotrophs show low specific substrate consumption rates, which restricts their application at pilot and industrial scale. Thus, in order to reduce the time and costs of the cultivation process, it is vital to accelerate the growth of applied organisms. Usually, methanotrophic bacteria cultivations are carried out using fully synthetic mineral mediums (nitrate mineral salts medium (NMS)) without the addition of any growth factors. Potentially, higher biomass growth and substrate uptake rates can be achieved by supplementing the growth medium with vitamins, amino acids etc. or by using more bioavailable substrates.The aim of our research was to study the influence of growth factors such as vitamins, and different nitrogen sources (yeast extract, yeast nitrogen base with/without amino acids and tryptone) on the growth of Methylomonas methanica, Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum and Methylosinus trishosporium.Experiments for studying the influence of growth factors were carried out in shake flasks by varying the medium compositions and analyzing the effects of said variations on the kinetics of the cultivation, e.g. specific biomass growth rate and biomass yield from substrate.Subsequent tests of the developed nutrient medium, which promotes higher biomass growth rates, were carried out in laboratory 5 L bioreactor Methylosinus trishosporium cultivations to study the main process parameters.From the statistical analysis of experimental data it was observed, that supplementation of the growth medium with yeast extract or tryptone, seems to promote the growth rate of methanotrophs, when methanol is used as the main substrate. Furthermore, specific growth rates observed during cultivations in mediums containing vitamins (including cobolamin) also seem to positively affect the biomass growth rate. Based on the results of lab-scale bioreactor cultivations, using the identified medium composition it was possible to achieve a maximal biomass specific growth rate of 0.15 L⸱h‑1 and productivity of 0.16 g⸱L-1⸱h-1.

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The integration of closed biotechnological cycles in life support systems (LSS) of autonomous transport systems (ATS) is a critical solution for deep space and planetary exploration. Prolonged autonomous existence of integral ecosystems depends on the degree of cyclic use of substances and the coefficient of closure of the ecosystem's mass-exchange processes. In missions lasting over two years, it becomes more beneficial to reproduce necessary substances inside the system instead of relying on external supplies. This research aims to explore the integration of closed biotechnological cycles, with a focus on the biotechnological cycles of methane and carbon dioxide, in the LSS ATS to achieve a high coefficient of closed circulation of substances and nature-like features. Two methods of ATS crew waste processing are described, and the potential of using methane for additional oxygen generation and food protein biosynthesis in the closed-loop cycle of substances transformation is investigated. Additionally, the possibility of applying methane biooxidation technology to existing biotechnological processes of feed and food protein production using methanotrophic bacteria in terrestrial conditions is discussed as a potential method for producing food animal protein in LSS ATS.