Simulated deep space exposure on seeds utilizing the MISSE flight facility.

The MISSE-Seed project was designed to investigate the effects of space exposure on seed quality and storage. The project tested the Multipurpose Materials International Space Station Experiment-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) hardware as a platform for exposing biological samples to the space environment outside the International Space Station (ISS). Furthermore, it evaluated the capability of a newly designed passive sample containment canister as a suitable exposure unit for biological samples for preserving their vigor while exposing to the space environment to study multi-stressor effects.

Post-harvest cleaning, sanitization, and microbial monitoring of soilless nutrient delivery systems for sustainable space crop production.

Bioregenerative food systems that routinely produce fresh, safe-to-eat crops onboard spacecraft can supplement the nutrition and variety of shelf-stable spaceflight food systems for use during future exploration missions (i.e., low earth orbit, Mars transit, lunar, and Martian habitats).

Substrate Matters: Ionic Silver Alters Lettuce Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Root Microbiome in a Hydroponics System.

Ionic silver (Ag) is being investigated as a residual biocide for use in NASA spacecraft potable water systems on future crewed missions. This water will be used to irrigate future spaceflight crop production systems. We have evaluated the impact of three concentrations (31 ppb, 125 ppb, and 500 ppb) of ionic silver biocide solutions on lettuce in an arcillite (calcinated clay particle substrate) and hydroponic (substrate-less) growth setup after 28 days.

Persistence of Escherichia coli in the microbiomes of red Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. 'Outredgeous') and mizuna mustard (Brassica rapa var. japonica) - does seed sanitization matter?

Background: Seed sanitization via chemical processes removes/reduces microbes from the external surfaces of the seed and thereby could have an impact on the plants' health or productivity. To determine the impact of seed sanitization on the plants' microbiome and pathogen persistence, sanitized and unsanitized seeds from two leafy green crops, red Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. 'Outredgeous') and mizuna mustard (Brassica rapa var.

Spatial Characterization of Microbial Communities on Multi-Species Leafy Greens Grown Simultaneously in the Vegetable Production Systems on the International Space Station.

The establishment of steady-state continuous crop production during long-term deep space missions is critical for providing consistent nutritional and psychological benefits for the crew, potentially improving their health and performance. Three technology demonstrations were completed achieving simultaneous multi-species plant growth and the concurrent use of two Veggie units on the International Space Station (ISS). Microbiological characterization using molecular and culture-based methods was performed on leaves and roots from two harvests of three leafy greens, red romaine lettuce ( cv.

Microbiological and Nutritional Analysis of Lettuce Crops Grown on the International Space Station.

The ability to grow safe, fresh food to supplement packaged foods of astronauts in space has been an important goal for NASA. Food crops grown in space experience different environmental conditions than plants grown on Earth (e.g.