Cyanobacteria for Space Agriculture on Mars

Abstract

The growth of terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp., on the Martian Regolith Simulant (MRS) and its vacuum tolerance were examined in relevance of our challenges to inhabit M a r s . T h e via b ilit y of t h e cyanob a c te ria was evaluated by microscopic observation a f t e r s t a i n i n g b y f l u o r e s c e i n d i a c e t a t e (FDA). The general terrestrial cyanobacterial lump collected from the ground showed a significantly high tolerance against exposure to high vacuum environment for more than one year. To elucidate its high tolerance function scientifically, Nostoc sp. HK-01 was used as another material for this study. After two weeks exposure to high vacuum environment (10 -5 Pa), Nostoc sp. HK-01 start to grow again in a liquid culture medium. The A'MED (Arai's Mars Ecosystem Dome) is designed to be installed on Mars for agricultural production. A'MED was found useful to conduct our study. Nostoc sp. HK-01 grew for over 140 days, and chlorophyll synthesis was normal on the MRS. These results verify the possible adaptation of cyanobacteria, and growth under the low atmospheric pressure environment on Mars.

Complete Life Cycle and Heat Tolerance of Dry Colonies of a Terrestrial Cyanobacterium, <i>Nostoc</i> sp. HK-01

“…Nostoc sp. HK-01 may be suitable to create organic soil from Martian regolith (Arai et al, 2008;Arai, 2009;Oarga, 2009;Verseux et al, 2016). The result indicates that the cyanobacterium can also be used to add nutrition to harsh environments on Earth.…”

Biologically-Based and Physiochemical Life Support and In Situ Resource Utilization for Exploration of the Solar System—Reviewing the Current State and Defining Future Development Needs

“…This simulant was based on the NASA-created JSC Mars-1 regolith simulant built from data from rover missions. In a simulated closed system at 90% of Earth’s atmospheric pressure, growth of the organism was exhibited [ 28 ]. Water was formed from the metabolic reactions and drops were observed on the inside of the glass [ 28 ].…”

“…In a simulated closed system at 90% of Earth’s atmospheric pressure, growth of the organism was exhibited [ 28 ]. Water was formed from the metabolic reactions and drops were observed on the inside of the glass [ 28 ]. It was concluded that the Nostoc sp.…”

The Heat Tolerance of Dry Colonies of a Terrestrial Cyanobacterium, <i>Nostoc</i> sp. HK-01

“…Nostoc sp. HK-01 may be able to create organic soil from Martian regolith (Arai et al, 2008;Arai, 2009;Oarga, 2009).…”

“…HK-01 has not been investigated, although their tolerances to desiccation for 8 months, to 200 mM NaCl stress, and to vacuum (10 -5 Pa) for 2 weeks, have been investigated (Yoshimura et al, , 2012Arai et al, 2008;Arai, 2009). In low Earth orbit, the temperature of a body in space can become extremely high due to solar radiation (1,366 W m -2 ) and no convection.…”