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Zhou M, Ferl RJ, Paul AL. Light has a principal role in the Arabidopsis transcriptomic response to the spaceflight environment. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:82. [PMID: 39107298 PMCID: PMC11303767 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00417-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The Characterizing Arabidopsis Root Attractions (CARA) spaceflight experiment provides comparative transcriptome analyses of plants grown in both light and dark conditions within the same spaceflight. CARA compared three genotypes of Arabidopsis grown in ambient light and in the dark on board the International Space Station (ISS); Col-0, Ws, and phyD, a phytochrome D mutant in the Col-0 background. In all genotypes, leaves responded to spaceflight with a higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than root tips, and each genotype displayed distinct light / dark transcriptomic patterns that were unique to the spaceflight environment. The Col-0 leaves exhibited a substantial dichotomy, with ten-times as many spaceflight DEGs exhibited in light-grown plants versus dark-grown plants. Although the total number of DEGs in phyD leaves is not very different from Col-0, phyD altered the manner in which light-grown leaves respond to spaceflight, and many genes associated with the physiological adaptation of Col-0 to spaceflight were not represented. This result is in contrast to root tips, where a previous CARA study showed that phyD substantially reduced the number of DEGs. There were few DEGs, but a series of space-altered gene categories, common to genotypes and lighting conditions. This commonality indicates that key spaceflight genes are associated with signal transduction for light, defense, and oxidative stress responses. However, these key signaling pathways enriched from DEGs showed opposite regulatory direction in response to spaceflight under light and dark conditions, suggesting a complex interaction between light as a signal, and light-signaling genes in acclimation to spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Zhou
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Fifield Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Robert J Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Fifield Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- UF Research, University of Florida, 1523 Union Rd, Grinter Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Fifield Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Jia C, Zheng W, Liu F, Ding K, Yuan Y, Wang J, Xu D, Zhang T, Zheng H. Biological culture module for plant research from seed-to-seed on the Chinese Space Station. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 42:47-52. [PMID: 39067990 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The long-term cultivation of higher plants in space plays a substantial role in investigating the effects of microgravity on plant growth and development, acquiring valuable insights for developing a self-sustaining space life supporting system. The completion of the Chinese Space Station (CSS) provides us with a new permanent space experimental platform for long-term plant research in space. Biological Culture Module (GBCM), which was installed in the Wentian experimental Module of the CSS, was constructed with the objective of growing Arabidopsis thaliana and rice plants a full life cycle in space. The techniques of LED light control, gas regulation and water recovery have been developed for GBCM in which dry seeds of Arabidopsis and rice were set in root module of four culture chambers (CCs) and launched with Wentian module on July 24, 2022. These seeds were watered and germinated from July 28 and grew new seeds until November 26 within a duration of 120 days. To this end, both Arabidopsis and rice plants completed a full life cycle in microgravity on the CSS. As we know, this is the first space experiment achieving rice complete life cycle from seed-to-seed in space. This result demonstrates the possibility to cultivate the important food crop rice throughout its entire life cycle under the spaceflight environment and the technologies of GBCM have effectively supported the success of long-term plant culture experiments in space. These results can serve as invaluable references for constructing more expansive and intricate space plant cultivation systems in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoxian Jia
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Weibo Zheng
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Fangwu Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Kun Ding
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Yongchun Yuan
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Dazhao Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China.
| | - Huiqiong Zheng
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Zhou M, Riva A, Gauthier MPL, Kladde MP, Ferl RJ, Paul AL. Single-molecule long-read methylation profiling reveals regional DNA methylation regulated by Elongator Complex Subunit 2 in Arabidopsis roots experiencing spaceflight. Biol Direct 2024; 19:33. [PMID: 38689301 PMCID: PMC11059628 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00476-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Advanced Plant Experiment-04 - Epigenetic Expression (APEX-04-EpEx) experiment onboard the International Space Station examined the spaceflight-altered cytosine methylation in two genetic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana, wild-type Col-0 and the mutant elp2-5, which is deficient in an epigenetic regulator Elongator Complex Subunit 2 (ELP2). Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) revealed distinct spaceflight associated methylation differences, presenting the need to explore specific space-altered methylation at single-molecule resolution to associate specific changes over large regions of spaceflight related genes. To date, tools of multiplexed targeted DNA methylation sequencing remain limited for plant genomes. RESULTS To provide methylation data at single-molecule resolution, Flap-enabled next-generation capture (FENGC), a novel targeted multiplexed DNA capture and enrichment technique allowing cleavage at any specified sites, was applied to survey spaceflight-altered DNA methylation in genic regions of interest. The FENGC capture panel contained 108 targets ranging from 509 to 704 nt within the promoter or gene body regions of gene targets derived from spaceflight whole-genome data sets. In addition to genes with significant changes in expression and average methylation levels between spaceflight and ground control, targets with space-altered distributions of the proportion of methylated cytosines per molecule were identified. Moreover, trends of co-methylation of different cytosine contexts were exhibited in the same DNA molecules. We further identified significant DNA methylation changes in three previously biological process-unknown genes, and loss-of-function mutants of two of these genes (named as EMO1 and EMO2 for ELP2-regulated Methylation in Orbit 1 and 2) showed enhanced root growth rate. CONCLUSIONS FENGC simplifies and reduces the cost of multiplexed, targeted, single-molecule profiling of methylation in plants, providing additional resolution along each DNA molecule that is not seen in population-based short-read data such as WGBS. This case study has revealed spaceflight-altered regional modification of cytosine methylation occurring within single DNA molecules of cell subpopulations, which were not identified by WGBS. The single-molecule survey by FENGC can lead to identification of novel functional genes. The newly identified EMO1 and EMO2 are root growth regulators which may be epigenetically involved in plant adaptation to spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Zhou
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Fifield Hall, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alberto Riva
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Marie-Pierre L Gauthier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Rd, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael P Kladde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Rd, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert J Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Fifield Hall, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- UF Research, University of Florida, 1523 Union Rd, Grinter Hall, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2550 Hull Road, Fifield Hall, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, 2033 Mowry Road, 32610, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Dontre AJ. Weighing the impact of microgravity on vestibular and visual functions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 40:51-61. [PMID: 38245348 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Numerous technological challenges have been overcome to realize human space exploration. As mission durations gradually lengthen, the next obstacle is a set of physical limitations. Extended exposure to microgravity poses multiple threats to various bodily systems. Two of these systems are of particular concern for the success of future space missions. The vestibular system includes the otolith organs, which are stimulated in gravity but unloaded in microgravity. This impairs perception, posture, and coordination, all of which are relevant to mission success. Similarly, vision is impaired in many space travelers due to possible intracranial pressure changes or fluid shifts in the brain. As humankind prepares for extended missions to Mars and beyond, it is imperative to compensate for these perils in prolonged weightlessness. Possible countermeasures are considered such as exercise regimens, improved nutrition, and artificial gravity achieved with a centrifuge or spacecraft rotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Dontre
- School of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University, 2020 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA; Department of Communications, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences, Franklin University, 201 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.
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5
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Frossard E, Crain G, Giménez de Azcárate Bordóns I, Hirschvogel C, Oberson A, Paille C, Pellegri G, Udert KM. Recycling nutrients from organic waste for growing higher plants in the Micro Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) loop during long-term space missions. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 40:176-185. [PMID: 38245343 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Space agencies are developing Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) in view of upcoming long-term crewed space missions. Most of these BLSS plan to include various crops to produce different types of foods, clean water, and O2 while capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. However, growing these plants will require the appropriate addition of nutrients in forms that are available. As shipping fertilizers from Earth would be too costly, it will be necessary to use waste-derived nutrients. Using the example of the MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) loop of the European Space Agency, this paper reviews what should be considered so that nutrients recycled from waste streams could be used by plants grown in a hydroponic system. Whereas substantial research has been conducted on nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from human urine, much work remains to be done on recovering nutrients from other liquid and solid organic waste. It is essential to continue to study ways to efficiently remove sodium and chloride from urine and other organic waste to prevent the spread of these elements to the rest of the MELiSSA loop. A full nitrogen balance at habitat level will have to be achieved; on one hand, sufficient N2 will be needed to maintain atmospheric pressure at a proper level and on the other, enough mineral nitrogen will have to be provided to the plants to ensure biomass production. From a plant nutrition point of view, we will need to evaluate whether the flux of nutrients reaching the hydroponic system will enable the production of nutrient solutions able to sustain a wide variety of crops. We will also have to assess the nutrient use efficiency of these crops and how that efficiency might be increased. Techniques and sensors will have to be developed to grow the plants, considering low levels or the total absence of gravity, the limited volume available to plant growth systems, variations in plant needs, the recycling of nutrient solutions, and eventually the ultimate disposal of waste that can no longer be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Frossard
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8315, Lindau, Switzerland.
| | - Grace Crain
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8315, Lindau, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Astrid Oberson
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8315, Lindau, Switzerland
| | | | - Geremia Pellegri
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8315, Lindau, Switzerland
| | - Kai M Udert
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dubendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, Institute of Environmental Engineering, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Berliner AJ, Zezulka S, Hutchinson GA, Bertoldo S, Cockell CS, Arkin AP. Domains of life sciences in spacefaring: what, where, and how to get involved. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:12. [PMID: 38287000 PMCID: PMC10825151 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00354-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Berliner
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Program in Aerospace Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Spencer Zezulka
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Information, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Gwyneth A Hutchinson
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sophia Bertoldo
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adam P Arkin
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Gonzalez Viejo C, Harris N, Fuentes S. Assessment of changes in sensory perception, biometrics and emotional response for spaceexploration by simulating microgravity positions. Food Res Int 2024; 175:113827. [PMID: 38129014 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Long-term space exploration endeavors, encompassing journeys from the Earth to the Moon by 2030 and subsequent voyages from the Moon to Mars by 2040, necessitate the utilization of plant-based materials not solely for sustenance and refreshments but also the production of pharmaceuticals and repair compounds, such as plastics, among others. Nevertheless, the vital aspects of research in this domain pertain to the nutritional value and sensory perception associated with plant-based food. Prior investigations have shown altered sensory perception in space, manifested as diminished olfactory sensations and heightened taste perception (saltiness and sweetness). Nonetheless, studies concerning changes in aroma, basic tastes, and mouthfeel have been limited due to the logistical challenges associated with conducting experiments in the unique environment of space. To address this limitation, the present study employed sensory trials and biometrics from video using simulated microgravity chairs to simulate alterations in sensory perception akin to those encountered in space conditions. The findings of this study align with previous reports of changes in aroma and taste perception and contribute to the understanding of changes in the mouthfeel, heart rate, blood pressure, and emotional response that could be experienced in space environments. These experimental endeavors are critical to facilitate the advancement and development of novel plants and food materials tailored to the requirements of long-term space exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gonzalez Viejo
- Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Research Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Plants in Space, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natalie Harris
- Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Research Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Sigfredo Fuentes
- Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Research Group, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Plants in Space, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Science, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L. 64849, Mexico.
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Aniskina TS, Sudarikov KA, Levinskikh MA, Gulevich AA, Baranova EN. Bread Wheat in Space Flight: Is There a Difference in Kernel Quality? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:73. [PMID: 38202381 PMCID: PMC10780891 DOI: 10.3390/plants13010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Planning long-term space flights necessarily includes issues of providing food for the crew. One of the areas of research is the development of technologies for independent production of food by the crew. Extensive research on lettuce has confirmed that the "space production" of lettuce is not inferior to that on Earth, even in the absence of gravity, but the same deep understanding of the quality of grain crops has not yet been achieved. Therefore, the goal of our work is to establish whether the conditions for growing wheat in outer space without gravity affect the weight and basic parameters of the grain, and whether this leads to increased asymmetry of the kernel and distortion of the starch composition. The objects of the study were wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernels of the Super Dwarf cultivar. Of which, 100 kernels matured in outer space conditions in the Lada growth chamber on the International Space Station (ISS), and 85 kernels of the control wheat grown in a similar growth chamber under terrestrial conditions. It has been established that kernels from ISS have significant differences to a smaller extent in weight, area, length, and width of the kernel. However, the kernels under both conditions were predominantly large (the average weight of a kernel in space is 0.0362 g, and in terrestrial conditions-0.0376 g). The hypothesis that the level of fluctuating asymmetry will increase in outer space was not confirmed; significant differences between the options were not proven. In general, the kernels are fairly even (coefficients of variation for the main parameters of the kernel are within 6-12%) and with a low or very low level of asymmetry. The length of starch granules of type A in filled and puny kernels is significantly greater in kernels from ISS than in the control, and in terms of the width of starch granules B and roundness indices, both experimental variants are the same. It can be assumed that the baking qualities of earthly kernels will be slightly higher, since the ratio of type B starch granules to type A is 5-8% higher than on the ISS. Also, the width of the aleurone layer cells in mature kernels was significantly inferior to the result obtained on Earth. The work proposes a new method for establishing the asymmetry of kernels without a traumatic effect (in early works, it was supposed to study asymmetry in transverse sections of the kernels). Perhaps this will make it possible to further develop a computer scanning program that will determine the level of asymmetry of the wheat fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana S. Aniskina
- N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Sciences, 127276 Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirill A. Sudarikov
- Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow K.A. Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (RSAU-MTAA), Timiryazevskaya 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia;
- Institute of Development Strategy, 101000 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alexander A. Gulevich
- All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Timiryzevskaya 42, 127550 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Ekaterina N. Baranova
- N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Sciences, 127276 Moscow, Russia
- Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow K.A. Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (RSAU-MTAA), Timiryazevskaya 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia;
- All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Timiryzevskaya 42, 127550 Moscow, Russia;
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Xia Y, Yuan Y, Li C, Sun Z. Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria improve the growth of Nicotiana benthamiana on lunar regolith simulant by dissociating insoluble inorganic phosphorus. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1039. [PMID: 37945659 PMCID: PMC10636133 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05391-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In-situ utilization of lunar soil resources will effectively improve the self-sufficiency of bioregenerative life support systems for future lunar bases. Therefore, we have explored the microbiological method to transform lunar soil into a substrate for plant cultivation. In this study, five species of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria are used as test strains, and a 21-day bio-improving experiment with another 24-day Nicotiana benthamiana cultivation experiment are carried out on lunar regolith simulant. We have observed that the phosphorus-solublizing bacteria Bacillus mucilaginosus, Bacillus megaterium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens can tolerate the lunar regolith simulant conditions and dissociate the insoluble phosphorus from the regolith simulant. The phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria treatment improves the available phosphorus content of the regolith simulant, promoting the growth of Nicotiana benthamiana. Here we demonstrate that the phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria can effectively improve the fertility of lunar regolith simulant, making it a good cultivation substrate for higher plants. The results can lay a technical foundation for plant cultivation based on lunar regolith resources in future lunar bases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Xia
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Yuan
- College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Zhencai Sun
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
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Pagliarello R, Bennici E, Di Sarcina I, Villani ME, Desiderio A, Nardi L, Benvenuto E, Cemmi A, Massa S. Effects of gamma radiation on engineered tomato biofortified for space agriculture by morphometry and fluorescence-based indices. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1266199. [PMID: 37877080 PMCID: PMC10591191 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1266199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Future long-term space missions will focus to the solar system exploration, with the Moon and Mars as leading goals. Plant cultivation will provide fresh food as a healthy supplement to astronauts' diet in confined and unhealthy outposts. Ionizing radiation (IR) are a main hazard in outer space for their capacity to generate oxidative stress and DNA damage. IR is a crucial issue not only for human survival, but also for plant development and related value-added fresh food harvest. To this end, efforts to figure out how biofortification of plants with antioxidant metabolites (such as anthocyanins) may contribute to improve their performances in space outposts are needed. Methods MicroTom plants genetically engineered to express the Petunia hybrida PhAN4 gene, restoring the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in tomato, were used. Seeds and plants from wild type and engineered lines AN4-M and AN4-P2 were exposed to IR doses that they may experience during a long-term space mission, simulated through the administration of gamma radiation. Plant response was continuously evaluated along life cycle by a non-disturbing/non-destructive monitoring of biometric and multiparametric fluorescence-based indices at both phenotypic and phenological levels, and indirectly measuring changes occurring at the primary and secondary metabolism level. Results Responses to gamma radiation were influenced by the phenological stage, dose and genotype. Wild type and engineered plants did not complete a seed-to-seed cycle under the exceptional condition of 30 Gy absorbed dose, but were able to cope with 0.5 and 5 Gy producing fruits and vital seeds. In particular, the AN4-M seeds and plants showed advantages over wild type: negligible variation of fluorimetric parameters related to primary metabolism, no alteration or improvement of yield traits at maturity while maintaining smaller habitus than wild type, biosynthesis of anthocyanins and maintained levels of these compounds compared to non-irradiated controls of the same age. Discussion These findings may be useful in understanding phenotypic effects of IR on plant growth in space, and lead to the exploitation of new breeding efforts to optimize plant performances to develop appropriate ideotypes for future long-term space exploration extending the potential of plants to serve as high-value product source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Pagliarello
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bennici
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Sarcina
- Fusion and Nuclear Safety Technologies Department, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Villani
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Angiola Desiderio
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Nardi
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Benvenuto
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Cemmi
- Fusion and Nuclear Safety Technologies Department, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Massa
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division, Department for Sustainability, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
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11
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Hasenstein KH, John SP, Vandenbrink JP. Assessing Radish Health during Space Cultivation by Gene Transcription. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3458. [PMID: 37836197 PMCID: PMC10574649 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
During the Advanced Plant Habitat experiment 2, radish plants were grown in two successive grow-outs on the International Space Station (ISS) for 27 days each. On days 10, 18, and 24, leaf punch (LP) samples were collected and frozen. At harvest, bulb tissue was sampled with oligo-dT functionalized Solid Phase Gene Extraction (SPGE) probes. The space samples were compared with samples from ground controls (GC) grown at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) under the same conditions as on the ISS, with notably elevated CO2 (about 2500 ppm), and from lab plants grown under atmospheric CO2 but with light and temperature conditions similar to the KSC control. Genes corresponding to peroxidase (RPP), glucosinolate biosynthesis (GIS), protein binding (CBP), myrosinase (RMA), napin (RSN), and ubiquitin (UBQ) were measured by qPCR. LP from day 24 and bulb samples collected at harvest were compared with RNA-seq data from material that was harvested, frozen, and analyzed after return to Earth. The results showed stable transcription in LP samples in GC but decreasing values in ISS samples during both grow-outs, possibly indicative of stress. SPGE results were similar between GC and ISS samples. However, the RNA-seq analyses showed different transcription profiles than SPGE or LP results, possibly related to localized sampling. RNA-seq of leaf samples showed greater variety than LP data, possibly because of different sampling times. RSN and RPP showed the lowest transcription regardless of method. Temporal analyses showed relatively small changes during plant development in space and in ground controls. This is the first study that compares developmental changes in space-grown plants with ground controls based on a comparison between RNA-seq and qPCR analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl H. Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA;
| | - Susan P. John
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA;
| | - Joshua P. Vandenbrink
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272, USA;
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12
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Totsline N, Kniel KE, Bais HP. Microgravity and evasion of plant innate immunity by human bacterial pathogens. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:71. [PMID: 37679341 PMCID: PMC10485020 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00323-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight microgravity and modeled-microgravity analogs (MMA) broadly alter gene expression and physiology in both pathogens and plants. Research elucidating plant and bacterial responses to normal gravity or microgravity has shown the involvement of both physiological and molecular mechanisms. Under true and simulated microgravity, plants display differential expression of pathogen-defense genes while human bacterial pathogens exhibit increased virulence, antibiotic resistance, stress tolerance, and reduced LD50 in animal hosts. Human bacterial pathogens including Salmonella enterica and E. coli act as cross-kingdom foodborne pathogens by evading and suppressing the innate immunity of plants for colonization of intracellular spaces. It is unknown if evasion and colonization of plants by human pathogens occurs under microgravity and if there is increased infection capability as demonstrated using animal hosts. Understanding the relationship between microgravity, plant immunity, and human pathogens could prevent potentially deadly outbreaks of foodborne disease during spaceflight. This review will summarize (1) alterations to the virulency of human pathogens under microgravity and MMA, (2) alterations to plant physiology and gene expression under microgravity and MMA, (3) suppression and evasion of plant immunity by human pathogens under normal gravity, (4) studies of plant-microbe interactions under microgravity and MMA. A conclusion suggests future study of interactions between plants and human pathogens under microgravity is beneficial to human safety, and an investment in humanity's long and short-term space travel goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Totsline
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, AP Biopharma, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Kalmia E Kniel
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Harsh P Bais
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, AP Biopharma, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
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13
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De Micco V, Amitrano C, Mastroleo F, Aronne G, Battistelli A, Carnero-Diaz E, De Pascale S, Detrell G, Dussap CG, Ganigué R, Jakobsen ØM, Poulet L, Van Houdt R, Verseux C, Vlaeminck SE, Willaert R, Leys N. Plant and microbial science and technology as cornerstones to Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in space. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:69. [PMID: 37620398 PMCID: PMC10449850 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00317-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term human space exploration missions require environmental control and closed Life Support Systems (LSS) capable of producing and recycling resources, thus fulfilling all the essential metabolic needs for human survival in harsh space environments, both during travel and on orbital/planetary stations. This will become increasingly necessary as missions reach farther away from Earth, thereby limiting the technical and economic feasibility of resupplying resources from Earth. Further incorporation of biological elements into state-of-the-art (mostly abiotic) LSS, leading to bioregenerative LSS (BLSS), is needed for additional resource recovery, food production, and waste treatment solutions, and to enable more self-sustainable missions to the Moon and Mars. There is a whole suite of functions crucial to sustain human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and successful settlement on Moon or Mars such as environmental control, air regeneration, waste management, water supply, food production, cabin/habitat pressurization, radiation protection, energy supply, and means for transportation, communication, and recreation. In this paper, we focus on air, water and food production, and waste management, and address some aspects of radiation protection and recreation. We briefly discuss existing knowledge, highlight open gaps, and propose possible future experiments in the short-, medium-, and long-term to achieve the targets of crewed space exploration also leading to possible benefits on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Micco
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy.
| | - Chiara Amitrano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Alberto Battistelli
- Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Viale Marconi 2, 05010, Porano (TR), Italy
| | - Eugenie Carnero-Diaz
- Institute of Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, EPHE, UA, 45, rue Buffon CP50, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stefania De Pascale
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Gisela Detrell
- Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 29, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Claude-Gilles Dussap
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Institut Pascal, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Øyvind Mejdell Jakobsen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS), NTNU Social Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lucie Poulet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Institut Pascal, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Cyprien Verseux
- Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, University of Antwerp, 2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Ronnie Willaert
- Research Groups NAMI and NANO, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400, Mol, Belgium
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14
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Nakashima J, Pattathil S, Avci U, Chin S, Alan Sparks J, Hahn MG, Gilroy S, Blancaflor EB. Glycome profiling and immunohistochemistry uncover changes in cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana roots during spaceflight. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:68. [PMID: 37608048 PMCID: PMC10444889 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00312-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A large and diverse library of glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) was used to determine if plant cell walls are modified by low-gravity conditions encountered during spaceflight. This method called glycome profiling (glycomics) revealed global differences in non-cellulosic cell wall epitopes in Arabidopsis thaliana root extracts recovered from RNA purification columns between seedlings grown on the International Space Station-based Vegetable Production System and paired ground (1-g) controls. Immunohistochemistry on 11-day-old seedling primary root sections showed that ten of twenty-two mAbs that exhibited spaceflight-induced increases in binding through glycomics, labeled space-grown roots more intensely than those from the ground. The ten mAbs recognized xyloglucan, xylan, and arabinogalactan epitopes. Notably, three xylem-enriched unsubstituted xylan backbone epitopes were more intensely labeled in space-grown roots than in ground-grown roots, suggesting that the spaceflight environment accelerated root secondary cell wall formation. This study highlights the feasibility of glycomics for high-throughput evaluation of cell wall glycans using only root high alkaline extracts from RNA purification columns, and subsequent validation of these results by immunohistochemistry. This approach will benefit plant space biological studies because it extends the analyses possible from the limited amounts of samples returned from spaceflight and help uncover microgravity-induced tissue-specific changes in plant cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Nakashima
- Analytical Instrumentation Facility, North Carolina State University, 2410 Campus Shore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Sivakumar Pattathil
- Mascoma LLC (Lallemand Inc.), 67 Etna Road, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA
- The University of Georgia, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Utku Avci
- The University of Georgia, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 26160, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Sabrina Chin
- Department of Botany, 430 Lincoln Drive, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - J Alan Sparks
- Noble Research Institute LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK, 73401, USA
| | - Michael G Hahn
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 26160, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Simon Gilroy
- Department of Botany, 430 Lincoln Drive, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Elison B Blancaflor
- Utilization & Life Sciences Office, Exploration Research and Technology Programs, NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, 32899, USA.
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15
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De Micco V, Aronne G, Caplin N, Carnero-Diaz E, Herranz R, Horemans N, Legué V, Medina FJ, Pereda-Loth V, Schiefloe M, De Francesco S, Izzo LG, Le Disquet I, Kittang Jost AI. Perspectives for plant biology in space and analogue environments. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:67. [PMID: 37604914 PMCID: PMC10442387 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00315-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in plant space biology are required for the realization of human space exploration missions, where the re-supply of resources from Earth is not feasible. Until a few decades ago, space life science was focused on the impact of the space environment on the human body. More recently, the interest in plant space biology has increased because plants are key organisms in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for the regeneration of resources and fresh food production. Moreover, plants play an important role in psychological support for astronauts. The definition of cultivation requirements for the design, realization, and successful operation of BLSS must consider the effects of space factors on plants. Altered gravitational fields and radiation exposure are the main space factors inducing changes in gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation, signalling and physiological processes with possible consequences on tissue organization and organogenesis, thus on the whole plant functioning. Interestingly, the changes at the cellular and molecular levels do not always result in organismic or developmental changes. This apparent paradox is a current research challenge. In this paper, the main findings of gravity- and radiation-related research on higher plants are summarized, highlighting the knowledge gaps that are still necessary to fill. Existing experimental facilities to simulate the effect of space factors, as well as requirements for future facilities for possible experiments to achieve fundamental biology goals are considered. Finally, the need for making synergies among disciplines and for establishing global standard operating procedures for analyses and data collection in space experiments is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Micco
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy.
| | - Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Nicol Caplin
- SciSpacE Team, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, European Space Agency (ESA), Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Eugénie Carnero-Diaz
- Institute of Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, EPHE, UA, 45, rue Buffon CP50, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies (BIS), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Valérie Legué
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, PIAF, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - F Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mona Schiefloe
- NTNU Social Research, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS) Dragvoll Allé 38 B, 7049, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sara De Francesco
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Luigi Gennaro Izzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Isabel Le Disquet
- Institute of Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, EPHE, UA, 45, rue Buffon CP50, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Ann- Iren Kittang Jost
- NTNU Social Research, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS) Dragvoll Allé 38 B, 7049, Trondheim, Norway
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16
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Izzo LG, El Nakhel C, Rouphael Y, Proietti S, Paglialunga G, Moscatello S, Battistelli A, Iovane M, Romano LE, De Pascale S, Aronne G. Applying productivity and phytonutrient profile criteria in modelling species selection of microgreens as Space crops for astronaut consumption. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1210566. [PMID: 37636122 PMCID: PMC10450622 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1210566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Long-duration missions in outer Space will require technologies to regenerate environmental resources such as air and water and to produce food while recycling consumables and waste. Plants are considered the most promising biological regenerators to accomplish these functions, due to their complementary relationship with humans. Plant cultivation for Space starts with small plant growth units to produce fresh food to supplement stowed food for astronauts' onboard spacecrafts and orbital platforms. The choice of crops must be based on limiting factors such as time, energy, and volume. Consequently, small, fast-growing crops are needed to grow in microgravity and to provide astronauts with fresh food rich in functional compounds. Microgreens are functional food crops recently valued for their color and flavor enhancing properties, their rich phytonutrient content and short production cycle. Candidate species of microgreens to be harvested and eaten fresh by crew members, belong to the families Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Amarillydaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Cucurbitaceae. Methods In this study we developed and applied an algorithm to objectively compare numerous genotypes of microgreens intending to select those with the best productivity and phytonutrient profile for cultivation in Space. The selection process consisted of two subsequent phases. The first selection was based on literature data including 39 genotypes and 25 parameters related to growth, phytonutrients (e.g., tocopherol, phylloquinone, ascorbic acid, polyphenols, lutein, carotenoids, violaxanthin), and mineral elements. Parameters were implemented in a mathematical model with prioritization criteria to generate a ranking list of microgreens. The second phase was based on germination and cultivation tests specifically designed for this study and performed on the six top species resulting from the first ranking list. For the second selection, experimental data on phytonutrients were expressed as metabolite production per day per square meter. Results and discussion In the final ranking list radish and savoy cabbage resulted with the highest scores based on their productivity and phytonutrient profile. Overall, the algorithm with prioritization criteria allowed us to objectively compare candidate species and obtain a ranking list based on the combination of numerous parameters measured in the different species. This method can be also adapted to new species, parameters, or re-prioritizing the parameters for specific selection purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Gennaro Izzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Christophe El Nakhel
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Youssef Rouphael
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Simona Proietti
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Gabriele Paglialunga
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Stefano Moscatello
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Alberto Battistelli
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Porano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Iovane
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Leone Ermes Romano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Stefania De Pascale
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
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17
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Wang S, Wang J, Zeng X, Wang T, Yu Z, Wei Y, Cai M, Zhuoma D, Chu XY, Chen YZ, Zhao Y. Database of space life investigations and information on spaceflight plant biology. PLANTA 2023; 258:58. [PMID: 37528331 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Extensive spaceflight life investigations (SLIs) have revealed observable space effects on plants, particularly their growth, nutrition yield, and secondary metabolite production. Knowledge of these effects not only facilitates space agricultural and biopharmaceutical technology development but also provides unique perspectives to ground-based investigations. SLIs are specialized experimental protocols and notable biological phenomena. These require specialized databases, leading to the development of the NASA Science Data Archive, Erasmus Experiment Archive, and NASA GeneLab. The increasing interests of SLIs across diverse fields demand resources with comprehensive content, convenient search facilities, and friendly information presentation. A new database SpaceLID (Space Life Investigation Database http://bidd.group/spacelid/ ) was developed with detailed menu search tools and categorized contents about the phenomena, protocols, and outcomes of 459 SLIs (including 106 plant investigations) of 92 species, where 236 SLIs and 57 plant investigations are uncovered by the existing databases. The usefulness of SpaceLID as an SLI information source is illustrated by the literature-reported analysis of metabolite, nutrition, and symbiosis variations of spaceflight plants. In conclusion, this study extensively investigated the impact of the space environment on plant biology, utilizing SpaceLID as an information source and examining various plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica rapa L., and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. The findings provide valuable insights into the effects of space conditions on plant physiology and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Junyong Wang
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xian Zeng
- Department of Biological Medicines and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, Fudan University School of Pharmacy, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Zijie Yu
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yiqi Wei
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Mengna Cai
- Institute of Civil Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | | | - Xin-Yi Chu
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Yu Zong Chen
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Yufen Zhao
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Institute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
- Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and The Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
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18
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Kordyum E, Hasenstein KH. Preamble to the Special Edition Plants and Microgravity. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051113. [PMID: 37240758 DOI: 10.3390/life13051113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The need to study plant systems in space has a long history and space experiments on plants were recognized for their scientific value and as necessity to provide life support for humans and other non-photosynthetic organisms [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kordyum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Botany NASU, Tereschenkivska Str. 2, 01601 Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Karl H Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA
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19
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Jurga A, Ratkiewicz K, Wdowikowska A, Reda M, Janicka M, Chohura P, Janiak K. Urine and grey water based liquid fertilizer - Production and the response of plants. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 331:117248. [PMID: 36652879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plant cultivation is a key aspect of future long-distance space missions, and the creation of an efficient food system will not be possible without it. The production of fertilizer in space is based on the recovery of water and nutrients from wastewater, such as urine and grey water. In this study, the fertilizer production process was conducted in an aerobic, activated sludge reactor, where nitrification and the process of carbon removal take place. Treated streams have three potential factors that could affect the plants growth in a hydroponic system (anionic surfactants, nutrients deficiencies, high salinity). The effect of these factors was examined for two hydroponic configurations. Their influence on lettuce yield, quality parameters and stress response were investigated and compared to the control cultivation. The results showed that the main cause of a decrease (up to 24%) in the yield productivity of plants grown on nitrified urine and grey water is oxidative stress originated from a deficiency of elements, not from used anionic surfactant. Enrichment with nutrients resulted in the restoration of proper protein synthesis and an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which was positively reflected in the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the enriched cultivation (fresh leaves mass equal to 103% of the control). Results also show that Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (SMCT) surfactant itself after biological treatment used in plant cultivation has no negative effects reflected in lettuce yield or quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Jurga
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Ratkiewicz
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wdowikowska
- Department of Plant Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Wrocław, Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Reda
- Department of Plant Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Wrocław, Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Janicka
- Department of Plant Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Wrocław, Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Chohura
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, St. C. K. Norwida 27, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kamil Janiak
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland; Wroclaw Municipal Water and Sewage Company, Na Grobli 19, 50-421, Wroclaw, Poland
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20
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Kawa B, Śniadek P, Walczak R, Dziuban J. Nanosatellite Payload for Research on Seed Germination in a 3D Printed Micropot. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:1974. [PMID: 36850572 PMCID: PMC9962095 DOI: 10.3390/s23041974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, an autonomous payload proposal for a nanosatellite mission allowing for the cultivation of grains in space was presented. For the first time, a micropot made with 3D printing technology, enabling the parametric determination of plant growth, both on Earth and in the simulated microgravity condition, was presented. A completed system for dosing the nutrient solution and observing the growth of a single grain, where the whole size did not exceed 70 × 50 × 40 mm3, was shown. The cultivation of Lepidium sativum seeds was carried out in the developed system, in terrestrial conditions and simulated microgravity conditions, using the RPM (Random Position Machine) device. The differences in plant growth depending on the environment were observed. It could be seen that the grains grown in simulated microgravity took longer to reach the full development stage of the plant. At the same time, fewer grains reached this stage and only remained at the earlier stages of growth. The conducted research allowed for the presentation of the payload concept for a 3U CubeSat satellite for research into the development of plants in space.
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21
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Tang Y, Shen Y, Feng H, Wu H, Mao R, Ai W, Wu Z. Study on primary physicochemical characteristics and nutrient adsorption of four plant cultivation substrates. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 36:78-85. [PMID: 36682832 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The primary physicochemical characteristics and the nutrient adsorption of different substrates were carried out, to select suitable cultivation substrates for plant cultivation in space. Four types of plant cultivation substrates (Profile substrate (P), black ceramsite (B), white ceramsite (W), and vermiculite (V)) were used to test and compare the primary physicochemical characteristics, such as micropore, bulk density, total porosity, specific surface area and available nutrient content, as well as the nutrients adsorption for NH4+, NO3-, PO43- and K+ with seven concentration gradients respectively. Substrate P contained more micropores, with higher parameter values of total porosity, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, and specific surface area, moderate bulk density and pH, and more mineral nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and sulfur; substrate B was porous, with smaller parameter values of total porosity, cation exchange capacity and specific surface area, minimum electrical conductivity, moderate bulk density, alkaline and smaller content of mineral elements (excepting for calcium); substrate W had smaller micropore size, the highest value of bulk density and contents of NO3- and PO43-. Other physicochemical parameters were equivalent to those of substrate B; substrate V was flaky, with the smallest values of bulk density, and the highest values of total porosity and cation exchange capacity. The values of electrical conductivity and specific surface area were smaller than those of substrate P. It contained more mineral nutrients of calcium and sulfur. Substrate V had the highest adsorption capacity for NH4+, NO3-, PO43- and K+, followed by substrate P, while substrate B and substrate W had relatively weak adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity of four substrates for cations (NH4+ and K+) was significantly higher than that for anions (NO3- and PO43-). The orders of average adsorption amount for NH4+, NO3-, PO43- and K+ by four substrates were respectively: V > P > B > W, P > V > W > B, V > P > B > W and V > P > W > B. In comparison, substrate P and substrate V had better physicochemical characteristics, and stronger adsorption capacity for NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, and K+.
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Key Words
- AN, available nutrients
- BD, bulk density
- BET, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller
- CEC, cation exchange capacity
- CELSS, controlled ecological life support system
- DMPP, 3, 4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate
- EC, electrical conductivity
- Nutrient adsorption
- Physicochemical characteristics
- Substrate
- TP, total porosity
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China.
| | - Yunze Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Hongqi Feng
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Hao Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Ruixin Mao
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Weidang Ai
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China.
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22
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Caporale AG, Amato M, Duri LG, Bochicchio R, De Pascale S, Simeone GDR, Palladino M, Pannico A, Rao MA, Rouphael Y, Adamo P. Can Lunar and Martian Soils Support Food Plant Production? Effects of Horse/Swine Monogastric Manure Fertilisation on Regolith Simulants Enzymatic Activity, Nutrient Bioavailability, and Lettuce Growth. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3345. [PMID: 36501382 PMCID: PMC9740528 DOI: 10.3390/plants11233345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To make feasible the crewed missions to the Moon or Mars, space research is focusing on the development of bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) designed to produce food crops based on in situ resource utilisation (ISRU), allowing to reduce terrestrial input and to recycle organic wastes. In this regard, a major question concerns the suitability of native regoliths for plant growth and how their agronomic performance is affected by additions of organic matter from crew waste. We tested plant growth substrates consisting of MMS-1 (Mars) or LHS-1 (Lunar) simulants mixed with a commercial horse/swine monogastric manure (i.e., an analogue of crew excreta and crop residues) at varying rates (100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50, w/w). Specifically, we measured: (i) lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cultivar 'Grand Rapids') growth (at 30 days in open gas exchange climate chamber with no fertilisation), plant physiology, and nutrient uptake; as well as (ii) microbial biomass C and N, enzymatic activity, and nutrient bioavailability in the simulant/manure mixtures after plant growth. We discussed mechanisms of different plant yield, architecture, and physiology as a function of chemical, physico-hydraulic, and biological properties of different substrates. A better agronomic performance, in terms of plant growth and optically measured chlorophyll content, nutrient availability, and enzymatic activity, was provided by substrates containing MMS-1, in comparison to LHS-1-based ones, despite a lower volume of readily available water (likely due to the high-frequency low-volume irrigation strategy applied in our experiment and foreseen in space settings). Other physical and chemical properties, along with a different bioavailability of essential nutrients for plants and rhizosphere biota, alkalinity, and release of promptly bioavailable Na from substrates, were identified as the factors leading to the better ranking of MMS-1 in plant above and below-ground mass and physiology. Pure Mars (MMS-1) and Lunar (LHS-1) simulants were able to sustain plant growth even in absence of fertilisation, but the amendment with the monogastric manure significantly improved above- and below-ground plant biomass; moreover, the maximum lettuce leaf production, across combinations of simulants and amendment rates, was obtained in treatments resulting in a finer root system. Increasing rates of monogastric manure stimulated the growth of microbial biomass and enzymatic activities, such as dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase, which, in turn, fostered nutrient bioavailability. Consequently, nutrient uptake and translocation into lettuce leaves were enhanced with manure supply, with positive outcomes in the nutritional value of edible biomass for space crews. The best crop growth response was achieved with the 70:30 simulant/manure mixture due to good availability of nutrients and water compared to low amendment rates, and better-saturated hydraulic conductivity compared to high organic matter application. A 70:30 simulant/manure mixture is also a more sustainable option than a 50:50 mixture for a BLSS developed on ISRU strategy. Matching crop growth performance and (bio)chemical, mineralogical, and physico-hydraulic characteristics of possible plant growth media for space farming allows a better understanding of the processes and dynamics occurring in the experimental substrate/plant system, potentially suitable for an extra-terrestrial BLSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio G. Caporale
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Mariana Amato
- School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Luigi G. Duri
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Rocco Bochicchio
- School of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Stefania De Pascale
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | | | - Mario Palladino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Antonio Pannico
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Maria A. Rao
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Youssef Rouphael
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Paola Adamo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
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23
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Red Light Enhances Plant Adaptation to Spaceflight and Mars g-Levels. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12101484. [PMID: 36294919 PMCID: PMC9605285 DOI: 10.3390/life12101484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how plants respond and adapt to extraterrestrial conditions is essential for space exploration initiatives. Deleterious effects of the space environment on plant development have been reported, such as the unbalance of cell growth and proliferation in the root meristem, or gene expression reprogramming. However, plants are capable of surviving and completing the seed-to-seed life cycle under microgravity. A key research challenge is to identify environmental cues, such as light, which could compensate the negative effects of microgravity. Understanding the crosstalk between light and gravity sensing in space was the major objective of the NASA-ESA Seedling Growth series of spaceflight experiments (2013–2018). Different g-levels were used, with special attention to micro-g, Mars-g, and Earth-g. In spaceflight seedlings illuminated for 4 days with a white light photoperiod and then photostimulated with red light for 2 days, transcriptomic studies showed, first, that red light partially reverted the gene reprogramming induced by microgravity, and that the combination of microgravity and photoactivation was not recognized by seedlings as stressful. Two mutant lines of the nucleolar protein nucleolin exhibited differential requirements in response to red light photoactivation. This observation opens the way to directed-mutagenesis strategies in crop design to be used in space colonization. Further transcriptomic studies at different g-levels showed elevated plastid and mitochondrial genome expression in microgravity, associated with disturbed nucleus–organelle communication, and the upregulation of genes encoding auxin and cytokinin hormonal pathways. At the Mars g-level, genes of hormone pathways related to stress response were activated, together with some transcription factors specifically related to acclimation, suggesting that seedlings grown in partial-g are able to acclimate by modulating genome expression in routes related to space-environment-associated stress.
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24
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Baba AI, Mir MY, Riyazuddin R, Cséplő Á, Rigó G, Fehér A. Plants in Microgravity: Molecular and Technological Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10548. [PMID: 36142459 PMCID: PMC9505700 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants are vital components of our ecosystem for a balanced life here on Earth, as a source of both food and oxygen for survival. Recent space exploration has extended the field of plant biology, allowing for future studies on life support farming on distant planets. This exploration will utilize life support technologies for long-term human space flights and settlements. Such longer space missions will depend on the supply of clean air, food, and proper waste management. The ubiquitous force of gravity is known to impact plant growth and development. Despite this, we still have limited knowledge about how plants can sense and adapt to microgravity in space. Thus, the ability of plants to survive in microgravity in space settings becomes an intriguing topic to be investigated in detail. The new knowledge could be applied to provide food for astronaut missions to space and could also teach us more about how plants can adapt to unique environments. Here, we briefly review and discuss the current knowledge about plant gravity-sensing mechanisms and the experimental possibilities to research microgravity-effects on plants either on the Earth or in orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Imran Baba
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mohd Yaqub Mir
- Doctoral School of Neuroscience, Semmelweis University, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
- Theoretical Neuroscience and Complex Systems Group, Department of Computational Sciences, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, H-1121 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Riyazuddin Riyazuddin
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Cséplő
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rigó
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Fehér
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Biological Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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25
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Heldmann JL, Marinova MM, Lim DS, Wilson D, Carrato P, Kennedy K, Esbeck A, Colaprete TA, Elphic RC, Captain J, Zacny K, Stolov L, Mellerowicz B, Palmowski J, Bramson AM, Putzig N, Morgan G, Sizemore H, Coyan J. Mission Architecture Using the SpaceX Starship Vehicle to Enable a Sustained Human Presence on Mars. NEW SPACE 2022; 10:259-273. [PMID: 36199953 PMCID: PMC9527650 DOI: 10.1089/space.2020.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A main goal of human space exploration is to develop humanity into a multi-planet species where civilization extends beyond planet Earth. Establishing a self-sustaining human presence on Mars is key to achieving this goal. In situ resource utilization (ISRU) on Mars is a critical component to enabling humans on Mars to both establish long-term outposts and become self-reliant. This article focuses on a mission architecture using the SpaceX Starship as cargo and crew vehicles for the journey to Mars. The first Starships flown to Mars will be uncrewed and will provide unprecedented opportunities to deliver ∼100 metric tons of cargo to the martian surface per mission and conduct robotic precursor work to enable a sustained and self-reliant human presence on Mars. We propose that the highest priority activities for early uncrewed Starships include pre-placement of supplies, developing infrastructure, testing of key technologies, and conducting resource prospecting to map and characterize water ice for future ISRU purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Heldmann
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | - Darlene S.S. Lim
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ann Esbeck
- Bechtel Corporation, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Tony Anthony Colaprete
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Richard C. Elphic
- Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Janine Captain
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
| | - Kris Zacny
- Honeybee Robotics, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Leo Stolov
- Honeybee Robotics, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Ali M. Bramson
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | | | - Josh Coyan
- United States Geological Survey (USGS), Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Spokane, Washington, USA
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26
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Manzano A, Carnero-Diaz E, Herranz R, Medina FJ. Recent transcriptomic studies to elucidate the plant adaptive response to spaceflight and to simulated space environments. iScience 2022; 25:104687. [PMID: 35856037 PMCID: PMC9287483 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovering the adaptation mechanisms of plants to the space environment is essential for supporting human space exploration. Transcriptomic analyses allow the identification of adaptation response pathways by detecting changes in gene expression at the global genome level caused by the main factors of the space environment, namely altered gravity and cosmic radiation. This article reviews transcriptomic studies carried out from plants grown in spaceflights and in different ground-based microgravity simulators. Despite differences in plant growth conditions, these studies have shown that cell wall remodeling, oxidative stress, defense response, and photosynthesis are common altered processes in plants grown under spaceflight conditions. European scientists have significantly contributed to the acquisition of this knowledge, e.g., by showing the role of red light in the adaptation response of plants (EMCS experiments) and the mechanisms of cellular response and adaptation mostly affecting cell cycle regulation, using cell cultures in microgravity simulators. Cell wall, photosynthesis, and stress response are key in plant adaptation to space DNA methylation and alternative splicing are among the involved molecular mechanisms Light is an essential factor for plant development, even more in the space environment EMCS and simulation cell culture experiments are the main European contributions
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Affiliation(s)
- Aránzazu Manzano
- PCNPμG Lab (Plant Cell Nucleolus, Proliferation and Microgravity), Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eugénie Carnero-Diaz
- Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, EPHE, UA, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Raúl Herranz
- PCNPμG Lab (Plant Cell Nucleolus, Proliferation and Microgravity), Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - F Javier Medina
- PCNPμG Lab (Plant Cell Nucleolus, Proliferation and Microgravity), Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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27
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Bell PJL, Paras FE, Mandarakas S, Arcenal P, Robinson-Cast S, Grobler AS, Attfield PV. An Electro-Microbial Process to Uncouple Food Production from Photosynthesis for Application in Space Exploration. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12071002. [PMID: 35888090 PMCID: PMC9317029 DOI: 10.3390/life12071002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
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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28
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Zhang L, Dong H, Yu Y, Liu L, Zang P. Application and challenges of
3D
food printing technology in manned spaceflight: a review. Int J Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.15879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Long‐zhen Zhang
- Space Science and Technology Institute (Shenzhen) Shenzhen 518117 China
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center Key Laboratory of Space Nutrition and Food Engineering Beijing 100094 China
| | - Hai‐sheng Dong
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center Key Laboratory of Space Nutrition and Food Engineering Beijing 100094 China
| | - Yan‐bo Yu
- Space Science and Technology Institute (Shenzhen) Shenzhen 518117 China
| | - Li‐yan Liu
- Lee Kum Kee (Xinhui) Food Co., Ltd. Jiangmen Guangdong 529156 China
| | - Peng Zang
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center Key Laboratory of Space Nutrition and Food Engineering Beijing 100094 China
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29
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Paul AL, Elardo SM, Ferl R. Plants grown in Apollo lunar regolith present stress-associated transcriptomes that inform prospects for lunar exploration. Commun Biol 2022; 5:382. [PMID: 35552509 PMCID: PMC9098553 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03334-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extent to which plants can enhance human life support on other worlds depends on the ability of plants to thrive in extraterrestrial environments using in-situ resources. Using samples from Apollo 11, 12, and 17, we show that the terrestrial plant Arabidopsis thaliana germinates and grows in diverse lunar regoliths. However, our results show that growth is challenging; the lunar regolith plants were slow to develop and many showed severe stress morphologies. Moreover, all plants grown in lunar soils differentially expressed genes indicating ionic stresses, similar to plant reactions to salt, metal and reactive oxygen species. Therefore, although in situ lunar regoliths can be useful for plant production in lunar habitats, they are not benign substrates. The interaction between plants and lunar regolith will need to be further elucidated, and likely mitigated, to best enable efficient use of lunar regolith for life support within lunar stations. Arabidopsis plants were seeded onto lunar soil samples taken directly from the Apollo 11, 12, and 17 missions. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that plants grown in lunar soil differentially express genes associated with salt, metal, and ROS stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research and Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Stephen M Elardo
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert Ferl
- UF Research and Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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30
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Massa S, Pagliarello R, Cemmi A, Di Sarcina I, Bombarely A, Demurtas OC, Diretto G, Paolini F, Petzold HE, Bliek M, Bennici E, Del Fiore A, De Rossi P, Spelt C, Koes R, Quattrocchio F, Benvenuto E. Modifying Anthocyanins Biosynthesis in Tomato Hairy Roots: A Test Bed for Plant Resistance to Ionizing Radiation and Antioxidant Properties in Space. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:830931. [PMID: 35283922 PMCID: PMC8909381 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.830931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression manipulation of specific metabolic pathways can be used to obtain bioaccumulation of valuable molecules and desired quality traits in plants. A single-gene approach to impact different traits would be greatly desirable in agrospace applications, where several aspects of plant physiology can be affected, influencing growth. In this work, MicroTom hairy root cultures expressing a MYB-like transcription factor that regulates the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Petunia hybrida (PhAN4), were considered as a testbed for bio-fortified tomato whole plants aimed at agrospace applications. Ectopic expression of PhAN4 promoted biosynthesis of anthocyanins, allowing to profile 5 major derivatives of delphinidin and petunidin together with pelargonidin and malvidin-based anthocyanins, unusual in tomato. Consistent with PhAN4 features, transcriptomic profiling indicated upregulation of genes correlated to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Interestingly, a transcriptome reprogramming oriented to positive regulation of cell response to biotic, abiotic, and redox stimuli was evidenced. PhAN4 hairy root cultures showed the significant capability to counteract reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and protein misfolding upon high-dose gamma irradiation, which is among the most potent pro-oxidant stress that can be encountered in space. These results may have significance in the engineering of whole tomato plants that can benefit space agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Massa
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Biotec Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pagliarello
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Biotec Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Alessia Cemmi
- Fusion and Nuclear Safety Technologies Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Sarcina
- Fusion and Nuclear Safety Technologies Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Olivia Costantina Demurtas
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Biotec Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Diretto
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Biotec Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Paolini
- 'Regina Elena' National Cancer Institute, HPV-UNIT, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, Translational Research Functional Departmental Area, Rome, Italy
| | - H Earl Petzold
- School of Plants and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Mattijs Bliek
- Department of Plant Development and (Epi)Genetics, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elisabetta Bennici
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Biotec Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Del Fiore
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Agrifood Sustainability, Quality, and Safety Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia De Rossi
- Energy Efficiency Unit Department - Northern Area Regions Laboratory, Casaccia Research Center, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Cornelis Spelt
- Department of Plant Development and (Epi)Genetics, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ronald Koes
- Department of Plant Development and (Epi)Genetics, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Quattrocchio
- Department of Plant Development and (Epi)Genetics, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eugenio Benvenuto
- Department for Sustainability, Biotechnology and Agro-Industry Division - Biotec Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
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Aronne G, Muthert LWF, Izzo LG, Romano LE, Iovane M, Capozzi F, Manzano A, Ciska M, Herranz R, Medina FJ, Kiss JZ, van Loon JJWA. A novel device to study altered gravity and light interactions in seedling tropisms. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 32:8-16. [PMID: 35065766 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Long-duration space missions will need to rely on the use of plants in bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSSs) because these systems can produce fresh food and oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels, recycle metabolic waste, and purify water. In this scenario, the need for new experiments on the effects of altered gravity conditions on plant biological processes is increasing, and significant efforts should be devoted to new ideas aimed at increasing the scientific output and lowering the experimental costs. Here, we report the design of an easy-to-produce and inexpensive device conceived to analyze the effect of interaction between gravity and light on root tropisms. Each unit consisted of a polystyrene multi-slot rack with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), capable of holding Petri dishes and assembled with a particular filter-paper folding. The device was successfully used for the ROOTROPS (for root tropisms) experiment performed in the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) at ESA's European Space Research and Technology centre (ESTEC). During the experiments, four light treatments and six gravity conditions were factorially combined to study their effects on root orientation of Brassica oleracea seedlings. Light treatments (red, blue, and white) and a dark condition were tested under four hypergravity levels (20 g, 15 g, 10 g, 5 g), a 1 g control, and a simulated microgravity (RPM) condition. Results of validation tests showed that after 24 h, the assembled system remained unaltered, no slipping or displacement of seedlings occurred at any hypergravity treatment or on the RPM, and seedlings exhibited robust growth. Overall, the device was effective and reliable in achieving scientific goals, suggesting that it can be used for ground-based research on phototropism-gravitropism interactions. Moreover, the concepts developed can be further expanded for use in future spaceflight experiments with plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Gennaro Izzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy.
| | - Leone Ermes Romano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Maurizio Iovane
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Italy
| | - Fiore Capozzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Aránzazu Manzano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Malgorzata Ciska
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - F Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas - CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - John Z Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro NC 27402, United States of America
| | - Jack J W A van Loon
- Department Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences & Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam University Medical Center Location VUmc & Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, Netherlands; TEC-MMG-LISLab, European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Noordwijk, Netherlands
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Paradiso R, Proietti S. Light-Quality Manipulation to Control Plant Growth and Photomorphogenesis in Greenhouse Horticulture: The State of the Art and the Opportunities of Modern LED Systems. JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION 2022; 41:742-780. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1007/s00344-021-10337-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
AbstractLight quantity (intensity and photoperiod) and quality (spectral composition) affect plant growth and physiology and interact with other environmental parameters and cultivation factors in determining the plant behaviour. More than providing the energy for photosynthesis, light also dictates specific signals which regulate plant development, shaping and metabolism, in the complex phenomenon of photomorphogenesis, driven by light colours. These are perceived even at very low intensity by five classes of specific photoreceptors, which have been characterized in their biochemical features and physiological roles. Knowledge about plant photomorphogenesis increased dramatically during the last years, also thanks the diffusion of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which offer several advantages compared to the conventional light sources, such as the possibility to tailor the light spectrum and to regulate the light intensity, depending on the specific requirements of the different crops and development stages. This knowledge could be profitably applied in greenhouse horticulture to improve production schedules and crop yield and quality. This article presents a brief overview on the effects of light spectrum of artificial lighting on plant growth and photomorphogenesis in vegetable and ornamental crops, and on the state of the art of the research on LEDs in greenhouse horticulture. Particularly, we analysed these effects by approaching, when possible, each single-light waveband, as most of the review works available in the literature considers the influence of combined spectra.
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Abstract
The growth and development of plants during spaceflight have important implications for both basic and applied research supported by NASA and other international space agencies. While there have been many reviews of plant space biology, this chapter attempts to fill a gap in the literature on the actual process and methods of performing plant research in the spaceflight environment. One of the authors (JZK) has been a principal investigator on eight spaceflight projects. These experiences include using the U.S. Space Shuttle, the former Russian Space Station Mir, and the International Space Station, utilizing the Space Shuttle and Space X as launch vehicles. While there are several ways to fly an experiment into space and to obtain a spaceflight opportunity, this review focuses on using the NASA peer-reviewed sciences approach to get an experiment manifested for flight. Three narratives for the implementation of plant space biology experiments are considered from rapid turn around of a few months to a project with new hardware development that lasted 6 years. The many challenges of spaceflight research include logistical and resource constraints such as crew time, power, cold stowage, data downlinks, among others. Additional issues considered are working at NASA centers, hardware development, safety concerns, and the engineering versus science culture in space agencies. The difficulties of publishing the results from spaceflight research based on such factors as the lack of controls, limited sample size, and the indirect effects of the spaceflight environment also are summarized. Lessons learned from these spaceflight experiences are discussed in the context of improvements for future space-based research projects with plants. We also will consider new opportunities for Moon-based research via NASA's Artemis lunar exploration program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsiana Shymanovich
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - John Z Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
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Tang H, Rising HH, Majji M, Brown RD. Long-Term Space Nutrition: A Scoping Review. Nutrients 2021; 14:nu14010194. [PMID: 35011072 PMCID: PMC8747021 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This scoping review aimed to identify current evidence and gaps in the field of long-term space nutrition. Specifically, the review targeted critical nutritional needs during long-term manned missions in outer space in addition to the essential components of a sustainable space nutrition system for meeting these needs. The search phrase "space food and the survival of astronauts in long-term missions" was used to collect the initial 5432 articles from seven Chinese and seven English databases. From these articles, two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts to identify 218 articles for full-text reviews based on three themes and 18 keyword combinations as eligibility criteria. The results suggest that it is possible to address short-term adverse environmental factors and nutritional deficiencies by adopting effective dietary measures, selecting the right types of foods and supplements, and engaging in specific sustainable food production and eating practices. However, to support self-sufficiency during long-term space exploration, the most optimal and sustainable space nutrition systems are likely to be supported primarily by fresh food production, natural unprocessed foods as diets, nutrient recycling of food scraps and cultivation systems, and the establishment of closed-loop biospheres or landscape-based space habitats as long-term life support systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Tang
- College of Landscape and Tourism, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
| | - Hope Hui Rising
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Manoranjan Majji
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Robert D. Brown
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
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Qiu D, Jian Y, Zhang Y, Xie G. Plant Gravitropism and Signal Conversion under a Stress Environment of Altered Gravity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111723. [PMID: 34769154 PMCID: PMC8583895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have been committed to space exploration and to find the next planet suitable for human survival. The construction of an ecosystem that adapts to the long-term survival of human beings in space stations or other planets would be the first step. The space plant cultivation system is the key component of an ecosystem, which will produce food, fiber, edible oil and oxygen for future space inhabitants. Many plant experiments have been carried out under a stimulated or real environment of altered gravity, including at microgravity (0 g), Moon gravity (0.17 g) and Mars gravity (0.38 g). How plants sense gravity and change under stress environment of altered gravity were summarized in this review. However, many challenges remain regarding human missions to the Moon or Mars. Our group conducted the first plant experiment under real Moon gravity (0.17 g) in 2019. One of the cotton seeds successfully germinated and produced a green seedling, which represents the first green leaf produced by mankind on the Moon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Qiu
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (G.X.)
| | - Yongfei Jian
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yuanxun Zhang
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Gengxin Xie
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (G.X.)
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Zaimenko NV, Ivanytska BO, Rositska NV, Didyk NP, Liu D, Pyzyk M, Slaski J. Physiological responses of orchids to prolonged clinorotation. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.15421/10.15421/012146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Creation of plant-based bioregenerative life support systems is crucial for future long-duration space exploring missions. Microgravity is one of the major stresses affecting plant growth and development under space flight conditions. Search for higher plant genotypes resilient to microgravity as well as revealing of biological features which could be used as markers of such resilience is rather urgently needed. The objective of this study was to analyze physiological and biochemical responses of three orchid species representing different life forms (terrestrial and epiphytic), growth types (monopodial and sympodial) and pathways of CO2 fixation to long-term (24 months) clinorotation which modeled the combined effect of two stress factors: hermetic conditions and microgravity. Three years old meristematic orchids Cypripedium flavum, Angraecum eburneum, Epidendrum radicans, representing different life forms, types of branching shoot system and pathways of CO2 fixation, were used as test-plants. The microgravity was simulated using three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat equipped with two rotation axes placed at right angles (rotation frequency was 3 rpm) in controlled conditions of air temperature, illumination, air humidity and substrate moisture. The control plants were grown in the similar plastic vessels but not hermetically sealed and without clinorotating in the same environmental conditions. The vital state of the test plants was assessed using characteristics of mineral nutrition, content of photosynthetic pigments, free amino acids, soluble proteins, DNA and RNA, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The results of this study confirmed that orchids grown under simulated microgravity and kept in hermetically-sealed vessels were subjected to oxidative stress, which could be responsible for the observed inhibition of basic physiological processes such as mineral nutrition, metabolism of aminoacids, protein biosynthesis and photosynthesis. Monopodial orchids C. flavum and A. eburneum demonstrated better adaptation to prolonged clinorotation as compared to sympodial E. radicans. In particular, the latter demonstrated some stimulation of mineral nutrition processes (i.e. K, N, Fe, Mn, Zn accumulation), content of photosynthetic pigments, proline and superoxide dismutase activity. Long-lasting clinorotation induced adaptive changes of antioxidant systems in the studied orchids (e.i. increase in carotenoids and proline content and stimulation of superoxide dismutase activity), which helped to maintain the main physiological functions at stable level in the above-mentioned stressful conditions. The following biochemical characteristics in the studied orchids could be considered as markers of resilience to simulated microgravity and hermetic conditions: 1) an increase in the accumulation of non-enzymatic (proline, carotenoids) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase); 2) ability to maintain stable balance of mineral nutrients; 3) increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments; 4) increase in the content of proteinogenic amino acids and soluble proteins; 5) increase in the DNA content or RNA/DNA ratio. Our studies have also demonstrated a correlation between orchid ecomorphological characteristics such as type of branching with their adaptive responses to prolonged clinorotation. We observed no correlation between the studied life form of orchids, ecotype or the pathway of CO2 fixation and their resilience to prolonged clinorotation. This research can be a starting point for studying the relationships between ecomorphological features of various orchids and their resilience to microgravity conditions in the search for biological markers of microgravity tolerance in species of higher plants.
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Zaimenko NV, Ivanytska BO, Rositska NV, Didyk NP, Liu D, Pyzyk M, Slaski J. Physiological responses of orchids to prolonged clinorotation. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.15421/012146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Creation of plant-based bioregenerative life support systems is crucial for future long-duration space exploring missions. Microgravity is one of the major stresses affecting plant growth and development under space flight conditions. Search for higher plant genotypes resilient to microgravity as well as revealing of biological features which could be used as markers of such resilience is rather urgently needed. The objective of this study was to analyze physiological and biochemical responses of three orchid species representing different life forms (terrestrial and epiphytic), growth types (monopodial and sympodial) and pathways of CO2 fixation to long-term (24 months) clinorotation which modeled the combined effect of two stress factors: hermetic conditions and microgravity. Three years old meristematic orchids Cypripedium flavum, Angraecum eburneum, Epidendrum radicans, representing different life forms, types of branching shoot system and pathways of CO2 fixation, were used as test-plants. The microgravity was simulated using three-dimensional (3-D) clinostat equipped with two rotation axes placed at right angles (rotation frequency was 3 rpm) in controlled conditions of air temperature, illumination, air humidity and substrate moisture. The control plants were grown in the similar plastic vessels but not hermetically sealed and without clinorotating in the same environmental conditions. The vital state of the test plants was assessed using characteristics of mineral nutrition, content of photosynthetic pigments, free amino acids, soluble proteins, DNA and RNA, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The results of this study confirmed that orchids grown under simulated microgravity and kept in hermetically-sealed vessels were subjected to oxidative stress, which could be responsible for the observed inhibition of basic physiological processes such as mineral nutrition, metabolism of aminoacids, protein biosynthesis and photosynthesis. Monopodial orchids C. flavum and A. eburneum demonstrated better adaptation to prolonged clinorotation as compared to sympodial E. radicans. In particular, the latter demonstrated some stimulation of mineral nutrition processes (i.e. K, N, Fe, Mn, Zn accumulation), content of photosynthetic pigments, proline and superoxide dismutase activity. Long-lasting clinorotation induced adaptive changes of antioxidant systems in the studied orchids (e.i. increase in carotenoids and proline content and stimulation of superoxide dismutase activity), which helped to maintain the main physiological functions at stable level in the above-mentioned stressful conditions. The following biochemical characteristics in the studied orchids could be considered as markers of resilience to simulated microgravity and hermetic conditions: 1) an increase in the accumulation of non-enzymatic (proline, carotenoids) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase); 2) ability to maintain stable balance of mineral nutrients; 3) increase in the content of photosynthetic pigments; 4) increase in the content of proteinogenic amino acids and soluble proteins; 5) increase in the DNA content or RNA/DNA ratio. Our studies have also demonstrated a correlation between orchid ecomorphological characteristics such as type of branching with their adaptive responses to prolonged clinorotation. We observed no correlation between the studied life form of orchids, ecotype or the pathway of CO2 fixation and their resilience to prolonged clinorotation. This research can be a starting point for studying the relationships between ecomorphological features of various orchids and their resilience to microgravity conditions in the search for biological markers of microgravity tolerance in species of higher plants.
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Use of Reduced Gravity Simulators for Plant Biological Studies. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2368:241-265. [PMID: 34647260 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1677-2_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Simulated microgravity and partial gravity research on Earth is a necessary complement to space research in real microgravity due to limitations of access to spaceflight. However, the use of ground-based facilities for reduced gravity simulation is far from simple. Microgravity simulation usually results in the need to consider secondary effects that appear in the generation of altered gravity. These secondary effects may interfere with gravity alteration in the changes observed in the biological processes under study. In addition to microgravity simulation, ground-based facilities are also capable of generating hypergravity or fractional gravity conditions whose effects on biological systems are worth being tested and compared with the results of microgravity exposure. Multiple technologies (2D clinorotation, random positioning machines, magnetic levitators, or centrifuges) and experimental hardware (different containers and substrates for seedlings or cell cultures) are available for these studies. Experimental requirements should be collectively and carefully considered in defining the optimal experimental design, taking into account that some environmental parameters, or life-support conditions, could be difficult to be provided in certain facilities. Using simulation facilities will allow us to anticipate, modify, or redefine the findings provided by the scarce available spaceflight opportunities.
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Schuerger AC, Amaradasa BS, Dufault NS, Hummerick ME, Richards JT, Khodadad CL, Smith TM, Massa GD. Fusarium oxysporum as an Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen on Zinnia hybrida Plants Grown on board the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:1029-1048. [PMID: 33926205 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A plant production system called Veggie was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014. In late 2015, during the growth of Zinnia hybrida cv. 'Profusion' in the Veggie hardware, plants developed chlorosis, leaf curling, fungal growth that damaged leaves and stems, and eventually necrosis. The development of symptoms was correlated to reduced air flow leading to a significant buildup of water enveloping the leaves and stems in microgravity. Symptomatic tissues were returned to Earth on 18 May 2016 and were immediately processed to determine the primary causal agent of the disease. The presumptive pathogen was identified as Fusarium oxysporum by morphological features of microconidia and conidiophores on symptomatic tissues; that is, by epifluorescent microscopy (EFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), metabolic microarrays, and ITS sequencing. Both EFM and SEM imaging of infected tissues showed that germinating conidia were capable of stomatal penetration and thus acted as the primary method for infecting host tissues. A series of ground-based pathogenicity assays were conducted with healthy Z. hybrida plants that were exposed to reduced-airflow and high-water stress (i.e., encased in sealed bags) or were kept in an unstressed configuration. Koch's postulates were successfully completed with Z. hybrida plants in the lab, but symptoms only matched ISS-flown symptomatic tissues when the plants were stressed with high-water exposure. Unstressed plants grown under similar lab conditions failed to develop the symptoms observed with plants on board the ISS. The overall results of the pathogenicity tests imply that F. oxysporum acted as an opportunistic pathogen on severely high-water stressed plants. The source of the opportunistic pathogen is not known, but virulent strains of F. oxysporum were not recovered from unused materials in the Veggie plant pillow growth units assayed after the flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Schuerger
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, Florida, USA
| | - Bimal S Amaradasa
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Nicholas S Dufault
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | - Trent M Smith
- NASA Exploration Research and Technology Programs, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
| | - Gioia D Massa
- NASA Exploration Research and Technology Programs, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
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Salvatori N, Giorgio A, Muller O, Rascher U, Peressotti A. A low-cost automated growth chamber system for continuous measurements of gas exchange at canopy scale in dynamic conditions. PLANT METHODS 2021; 17:69. [PMID: 34193215 PMCID: PMC8243713 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-021-00772-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obtaining instantaneous gas exchanges data is fundamental to gain information on photosynthesis. Leaf level data are reliable, but their scaling up to canopy scale is difficult as they are acquired in standard and/or controlled conditions, while natural environments are extremely dynamic. Responses to dynamic environmental conditions need to be considered, as measurements at steady state and their related models may overestimate total carbon (C) plant uptake. RESULTS In this paper, we describe an automatic, low-cost measuring system composed of 12 open chambers (60 × 60 × 150 cm; around 400 euros per chamber) able to measure instantaneous CO2 and H2O gas exchanges, as well as environmental parameters, at canopy level. We tested the system's performance by simulating different CO2 uptake and respiration levels using a tube filled with soda lime or pure CO2, respectively, and quantified its response time and measurement accuracy. We have been also able to evaluate the delayed response due to the dimension of the chambers, proposing a method to correct the data by taking into account the response time ([Formula: see text]) and the residence time (τ). Finally, we tested the system by growing a commercial soybean variety in fluctuating and non-fluctuating light, showing the system to be fast enough to capture fast dynamic conditions. At the end of the experiment, we compared cumulative fluxes with total plant dry biomass. CONCLUSIONS The system slightly over-estimated (+ 7.6%) the total C uptake, even though not significantly, confirming its ability in measuring the overall CO2 fluxes at canopy scale. Furthermore, the system resulted to be accurate and stable, allowing to estimate the response time and to determine steady state fluxes from unsteady state measured values. Thanks to the flexibility in the software and to the dimensions of the chambers, even if only tested in dynamic light conditions, the system is thought to be used for several applications and with different plant canopies by mimicking different environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Salvatori
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Alberti Giorgio
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Onno Muller
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Leo-Brandt-Str, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Uwe Rascher
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Leo-Brandt-Str, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Alessandro Peressotti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
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Kordyum E, Hasenstein KH. Plant biology for space exploration - Building on the past, preparing for the future. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:1-7. [PMID: 33888282 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A review of past insights of space experiments with plants outlines basic space and gravity effects as well as gene expression. Efforts to grow plants in space gradually incorporated basic question on plant productivity, stress response and cultivation. The prospect of extended space missions as well as colonization of the Moon and Mars require better understanding and therefore research efforts on biomass productivity, substrate and water relations, atmospheric composition, pressure and temperature and substrate and volume (growth space) requirements. The essential combination of using plants not only for food production but also for regeneration of waste, and recycling of carbon and oxygen production requires integration of complex biological and engineering aspects. We combine a historical account of plant space research with considerations for future research on plant cultivation, selection, and productivity based on space-related environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kordyum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Botany NASU, Tereschenkivska Str. 2, 01601 Kiev, Ukraine, United States
| | - Karl H Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, 70504-3602, United States.
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Sreeharsha RV, Venkata Mohan S. Symbiotic integration of bioprocesses to design a self-sustainable life supporting ecosystem in a circular economy framework. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 326:124712. [PMID: 33517050 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change, resource depletion and unsustainable crop productivity are major challenges that mankind is currently facing. Natural ecosystems of earth's biosphere are becoming vulnerable and there is a need to design Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) which are ecologically engineered microcosms that could effectively deal with problems associated with urbanization and industrialization in a sustainable manner. The principles of BLSS could be integrated with waste fed biorefineries and solar energy to create a self-sustainable bioregenerative ecosystem (SSBE). Such engineered ecosystems will have potential to fulfil urban life essentials and climate change mitigation thus generating ecologically smart and resilient communities which can strengthen the global economy. This article provides a detailed overview on SSBE framework and its improvement in the contemporary era to achieve circular bioeconomy by means of effective resource recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachapudi Venkata Sreeharsha
- Bioengineering and Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Energy and Environmental, Engineering, CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Energy and Environmental, Engineering, CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India.
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Schmierer M, Brueck H, Asch F, Sauerborn J. Estimating the quantum requirements for plant growth and related electricity demand for LED lighting systems. J Verbrauch Lebensm 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00003-021-01314-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIndoor plant production systems with artificial lighting are considered an emerging technology contributing to biomass-based value webs. The viability of this concept greatly relies on the energy requirements (ER, Watt) for lighting. We estimated the ER for plant growth by calculating the conversion efficiency of electricity to light of solid-state light-emitting diodes (LED) and the quantum requirements for plant growth of a fictional plant stand producing 2500 g of dry weight per m2 of ground during 100 days, representing a high productivity benchmark of field crops. The quantum output (µmol s−1 W−1) of eight LEDs of different colours varied between 0.78 for green and 2.54 for deep red. Uncertainty in the H+ demand for ATP synthesis during photosynthesis, the relative portion of photorespiration and the fraction of light intercepted by plant canopies (fabs) were considered in a pessimistic (PA) and optimistic (OA) approach of calculation of ER. Cumulative ER were 606 and 265 kWh m−2 for the PA and OA scenarios. The energy conversion efficiencies in the PA and OA scenarios were 2.07 and 4.72%. Estimates of energy savings by suppressing photorespiration and increasing fabs vary between 24 and 38%. The peak daily ER were 9.44 and 4.14 kWh in the PA and OA scenarios. Results are discussed in the context of the design of lighting in indoor plant production systems and commercial greenhouses where natural fluctuation in solar radiation could be balanced by dimmable LED panels.
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Kitto RZ, Dhillon Y, Bevington J, Horne M, Giegé P, Drouard L, Heintz D, Villette C, Corre N, Arrivé M, Manefield MJ, Bowman R, Favier JJ, Osborne B, Welch C, McKay CP, Hammond MC. Synthetic biological circuit tested in spaceflight. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 28:57-65. [PMID: 33612180 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology has potential spaceflight applications yet few if any studies have attempted to translate Earth-based synthetic biology tools into spaceflight. An exogenously inducible biological circuit for protein production in Arabidopsis thaliana, pX7-AtPDSi (Guo et al. 2003), was flown to ISS and functionally investigated. Seedlings were grown in a custom built 1.25 U plant greenhouse. Images recorded during the experiment show that leaves of pX7-AtPDSi seedlings photobleached as designed while wild type Col-0 leaves did not, which reveals that the synthetic circuit led to protein production during spaceflight. Polymerase chain reaction analysis post-flight also confirms that the Cre/LoxP (recombination system) portions of the circuit were functional in spaceflight. The subcomponents of the biological circuit, estrogen-responsive transcription factor XVE, Cre/LoxP DNA recombination system, and RNAi post-transcriptional gene silencing system now have flight heritage and can be incorporated in future designs for space applications. To facilitate future plant studies in space, the full payload design and manufacturing files are made available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Z Kitto
- Department of Chemistry, and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - James Bevington
- International Space University, Strasbourg, France; School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mera Horne
- Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | - Philippe Giegé
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurence Drouard
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dimitri Heintz
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claire Villette
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicolas Corre
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mathilde Arrivé
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes-CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michael J Manefield
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Bowman
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Chris Welch
- International Space University, Strasbourg, France.
| | | | - Ming C Hammond
- Department of Chemistry, and Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Nutritional Orthopedics and Space Nutrition as Two Sides of the Same Coin: A Scoping Review. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020483. [PMID: 33535596 PMCID: PMC7912880 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the Moon landing, nutritional research has been charged with the task of guaranteeing human health in space. In addition, nutrition applied to Orthopedics has developed in recent years, driven by the need to improve the efficiency of the treatment path by enhancing the recovery after surgery. As a result, nutritional sciences have specialized into two distinct fields of research: Nutritional Orthopedics and Space Nutrition. The former primarily deals with the nutritional requirements of old patients in hospitals, whereas the latter focuses on the varied food challenges of space travelers heading to deep space. Although they may seem disconnected, they both investigate similar nutritional issues. This scoping review shows what these two disciplines have in common, highlighting the mutual features between (1) pre-operative vs. pre-launch nutritional programs, (2) hospital-based vs. space station nutritional issues, and (3) post-discharge vs. deep space nutritional resilience. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to collect documents published from 1950 to 2020, from which 44 references were selected on Nutritional Orthopedics and 44 on Space Nutrition. Both the orthopedic patient and the astronaut were found to suffer from food insecurity, malnutrition, musculoskeletal involution, flavor/pleasure issues, fluid shifts, metabolic stresses, and isolation/confinement. Both fields of research aid the planning of demand-driven food systems and advanced nutritional approaches, like tailored diets with nutrients of interest (e.g., vitamin D and calcium). The nutritional features of orthopedic patients on Earth and of astronauts in space are undeniably related. Consequently, it is important to initiate close collaborations between orthopedic nutritionists and space experts, with the musculoskeletal-related dedications playing as common fuel.
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Space Biology Research and Biosensor Technologies: Past, Present, and Future. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2021; 11:bios11020038. [PMID: 33572823 PMCID: PMC7912197 DOI: 10.3390/bios11020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In light of future missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) and the potential establishment of bases on the Moon and Mars, the effects of the deep space environment on biology need to be examined in order to develop protective countermeasures. Although many biological experiments have been performed in space since the 1960s, most have occurred in LEO and for only short periods of time. These LEO missions have studied many biological phenomena in a variety of model organisms, and have utilized a broad range of technologies. However, given the constraints of the deep space environment, upcoming deep space biological missions will be largely limited to microbial organisms and plant seeds using miniaturized technologies. Small satellites such as CubeSats are capable of querying relevant space environments using novel, miniaturized instruments and biosensors. CubeSats also provide a low-cost alternative to larger, more complex missions, and require minimal crew support, if any. Several have been deployed in LEO, but the next iterations of biological CubeSats will travel beyond LEO. They will utilize biosensors that can better elucidate the effects of the space environment on biology, allowing humanity to return safely to deep space, venturing farther than ever before.
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Parrish CH, Hebert D, Jackson A, Ramasamy K, McDaniel H, Giacomelli GA, Bergren MR. Optimizing spectral quality with quantum dots to enhance crop yield in controlled environments. Commun Biol 2021; 4:124. [PMID: 33504914 PMCID: PMC7840809 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01646-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioregenerative life-support systems (BLSS) involving plants will be required to realize self-sustaining human settlements beyond Earth. To improve plant productivity in BLSS, the quality of the solar spectrum can be modified by lightweight, luminescent films. CuInS2/ZnS quantum dot (QD) films were used to down-convert ultraviolet/blue photons to red emissions centered at 600 and 660 nm, resulting in increased biomass accumulation in red romaine lettuce. All plant growth parameters, except for spectral quality, were uniform across three production environments. Lettuce grown under the 600 and 660 nm-emitting QD films respectively increased edible dry mass (13 and 9%), edible fresh mass (11% each), and total leaf area (8 and 13%) compared with under a control film containing no QDs. Spectral modifications by the luminescent QD films improved photosynthetic efficiency in lettuce and could enhance productivity in greenhouses on Earth, or in space where, further conversion is expected from greater availability of ultraviolet photons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Parrish
- Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Gene A Giacomelli
- Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA.
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A Long-Term Analysis of the Possibility of Water Recovery for Hydroponic Lettuce Irrigation in Indoor Vertical Farm. Part 1: Water Recovery from Exhaust Air. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10248907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents the characteristics of the operation of the system for recovery of water from exhaust air in moderate climates in the years 2012–2019. The proposed system for water recovery uses the phenomenon of condensation in a cross-flow heat exchanger operating as an element of the air conditioning system. The parameters of exhaust air behind the heat exchanger have been determined using a mathematical model of the so-called black box. The mathematical model considers the risk of the cross-freezing of the heat exchanger. The calculations carried out for variable parameters of external air during the analyzed period confirm that the system allows to cover the demand for water for lettuce irrigation during the cold and transitional period, which is a major part of the year. It has been noted that the effectiveness of the system is very high (av. 67.12% per year) due to the specific parameters of the internal air in which the lettuce must be grown and the need for continuous air exchange in such facilities. This means that air is a stable source of water recovery, where the recovery rate depends on the parameters of external air.
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