Cyanobacteria for space agriculture on Mars
Open accessAbstract
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 Mars. The viability of the cyanobacteria was evaluated by microscopic observation after staining by fluorescein diacetate (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.
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Nostoc sp. can grow on a Martian regolith simulant based on the NASA-created JSC Mars-1 simulant in a simulated closed system at 90% of Earth's atmospheric pressure.
“Another previous study confirmed the ability of Nostoc sp. to grow on a Martian regolith simulant. 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].”
From 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 (2021) · cites this paper as [28]
The growth-methods and incubation sections report that Nostoc sp. grew on the study’s Martian Regolith Simulant in a sealed model system at 0.9 atmospheric pressure. But the methods describe that simulant as a separate mixture of basaltic sand, KUNIGEL-VI and ferric oxide; the incubation section discusses JSC Mars-1 separately, not as the basis of the mixture used in the experiment. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredWater was formed from metabolic reactions and drops were observed on the inside of the glass during Nostoc sp. growth.
“Water was formed from the metabolic reactions and drops were observed on the inside of the glass [28].”
From 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 (2021) · cites this paper as [28]
In “Incubation of Nostoc sp. HK-01 on the regolith nutrient medium” (page not provided), the paper reports dew drops on the container wall during Nostoc growth. It does not say metabolic reactions formed the water; it says water would mainly be discharged into the air by Nostoc and notes that the regolith medium already contained water. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredNostoc sp. has the ability to grow under conditions expected on Mars.
“It was concluded that the Nostoc sp. in this case had the ability to grow under conditions expected on Mars [28].”
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“In a simulated closed system at 90% of Earth’s atmospheric pressure, growth of the organism was exhibited [28].”
BackgroundInfluential
- Authors
- Arai, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Tsukuba (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Arai, Mayumi
- Venue
- Biological Sciences in Space
- Published
- 2009
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 203-210
- ISSN
- 0914-9201 (ISSN-L)
- 1349-967X
- OpenAlex
- W2065268993
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Biological Sciences in Space (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Aizu
- National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Keywords
- cyanobacteria, Nostoc, space agriculture, Mars habitation, Martian regolith simulant, low atmospheric pressure, chlorophyll biosynthesis, bioregenerative life support
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