The effects of various cure cycles upon the viability ofBacillus subtilis var.niger spores within solid propellant

Brewer, Wayne; Paik, W. W.; Smith, Courtland L.; Robillard, Chantal; Green, R. H.

doi:10.1007/bf00928164

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Furthermore, the current understanding of bioburden embedded in spacecraft materials is based on research performed in the Viking era (Brewer et al . 1972), and on the ability to culture micro-organisms extracted from spacecraft materials of that time. Since then, only a few reports have been published on work in this specific field, once again based on classical culturing of once-embedded organisms from spacecraft hardware (Vasin & Trofimov 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A molecular method to assess bioburden embedded within silicon-based resins used on modern spacecraft materials

Stam

Bruckner

Spry

et al. 2012

International Journal of Astrobiology

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AbstractCurrent assessments of bioburden embedded in spacecraft materials are based on work performed in the Viking era (1970s), and the ability to culture organisms extracted from such materials. To circumvent the limitations of such approaches, DNA-based techniques were evaluated alongside established culturing techniques to determine the recovery and survival of bacterial spores encapsulated in spacecraft-qualified polymer materials. Varying concentrations ofBacillus pumilusSAFR-032 spores were completely embedded in silicone epoxy. An organic dimethylacetamide-based solvent was used to digest the epoxy and spore recovery was evaluated viagyrB-targeted qPCR, direct agar plating, most probably number analysis, and microscopy. Although full-strength solvent was shown to inhibit the germination and/or outgrowth of spores, dilution in excess of 100-fold allowed recovery with no significant decrease in cultivability. Similarly, qPCR (quantitative PCR) detection sensitivities as low as ∼103CFU ml−1were achieved upon removal of inhibitory substances associated with the epoxy and/or solvent. These detection and enumeration methods show promise for use in assessing the embedded bioburden of spacecraft hardware.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%