Optimized crop growth area composition for long duration spaceflight

Kaschubek, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.lssr.2021.05.005

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Our results indicate that a single 3000 L fermentor could produce >100 kg of yeast biomass per day, which appears sufficient to provide nutrition to support 50 to 100 people per day. This represents a much smaller ‘footprint’ than the hundreds of square meters of area required to provide similar quantities of food using photosynthetic plants [ 18 , 19 ]. Conceptually, large-scale fermentors could also be operated in lunar or planetary life support systems, but smaller bioreactors could be used on orbiting space stations for crews of 10 or fewer people.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mixed results of the studies confirm the environments of the plant growth chambers must be carefully tailored to allow successful plant growth [ 16 ]. Challenges include the intrinsic inefficiencies of energy capture in photosynthetic processes [ 17 ] and low edible yields of crops leading to optimized crop growth area estimates of greater than 50 square meters per crew member [ 18 , 19 ]. Furthermore, even under ideal conditions, plants typically take weeks to months to produce a crop suitable for human consumption, and even if a wide variety of crops are produced, some essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, are not synthesized by any plants, only by prokaryotic microbes [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Electro–Microbial Process to Uncouple Food Production from Photosynthesis for Application in Space Exploration

Bell¹,

Paras²,

Mandarakas³

et al. 2022

Life

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Here we propose the concept of an electro–microbial route to uncouple food production from photosynthesis, thereby enabling production of nutritious food in space without the need to grow plant-based crops. In the proposed process, carbon dioxide is fixed into ethanol using either chemical catalysis or microbial carbon fixation, and the ethanol created is used as a carbon source for yeast to synthesize food for human or animal consumption. The process depends upon technologies that can utilize electrical energy to fix carbon into ethanol and uses an optimized strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce high-quality, food-grade, single-cell protein using ethanol as the sole carbon source in a minimal medium. Crops performing photosynthesis require months to mature and are challenging to grow under the conditions found in space, whereas the electro–microbial process could generate significant quantities of food on demand with potentially high yields and productivities. In this paper we explore the potential to provide yeast-based protein and other nutrients relevant to human dietary needs using only ethanol, urea, phosphate, and inorganic salts as inputs. It should be noted that as well as having potential to provide nutrition in space, this novel approach to food production has many valuable terrestrial applications too. For example, by enabling food production in climatically challenged environments, the electro–microbial process could potentially turn deserts into food bowls. Similarly, surplus electricity generated from large-scale renewable power sources could be used to supplement the human food chain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Electro–Microbial Process to Uncouple Food Production from Photosynthesis for Application in Space Exploration

Bell¹,

Paras²,

Mandarakas³

et al. 2022

Life

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The biomass produced in the relatively small fermenter is estimated to provide sufficient food for approximately 50 to 100 people per day. This represents a much smaller 'footprint' than the hundreds of square meters of area required to provide similar quantities of food using photosynthetic plants [18,19] and is possible even if plants cannot be successfully cultivated in alien environments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The mixed results of the studies confirm the environments of the plant growth chambers must be carefully tailored to allow successful plant growth [16]. Challenges include intrinsic inefficiencies of energy capture in photosynthetic processes [17] and low edible yields of crops leading to optimized crop growth area estimates of greater than 50 square meters per crew member [18,19]. Furthermore, even under ideal conditions plants typically take weeks to months to produce a crop suitable for human consumption and even if a wide variety of crops are produced, some essential nutrients such as vitamin B12 are not synthesized by any plants, only by prokaryotic microbes [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Electro–Microbial Process to Uncouple Food Production from Photosynthesis for Application in Space Exploration

Bell¹,

Paras²,

Mandarakas³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Here we propose the concept of an electro–microbial route to uncouple food production from photosynthesis, thereby enabling production of nutritious food in space without the need to grow plant-based crops. In the proposed process, carbon dioxide is fixed into ethanol using either chemical catalysis or microbial carbon fixation, and the ethanol created is used as a carbon source for yeast to synthesize food for human or animal consumption. The process depends upon technologies that can utilize electrical energy to fix carbon into ethanol and uses an optimized strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce high quality, food grade single cell protein using only ethanol, urea, phosphate, and inorganic salts as inputs. Unlike crops using photosynthesis that require months to mature and are challenging to grow under the conditions found in space, the electro–microbial process could generate significant quantities of food on demand with potentially high yields and productivities. In this paper we explore the potential of the proposed process to provide food on demand in space, but it should be noted that this novel approach to food production has many valuable terrestrial applications too. For example, enabling food production in climatically challenged environments including turning deserts into food bowls, or utilizing surplus electricity generated from large-scale renewable power sources.

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