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NASA NTRS2010

Feasibility of Estimating Relative Nutrient Contributions of Agriculture and Forests Using MODIS Time Series

Around the Gulf of Mexico, high-input crops in several regions make a significant contribution to nutrient loading of small to medium estuaries and to the near-shore Gulf. Some crops cultivated near the coast include sorghum in Texas, rice in Texas and Louisiana, sugarcane in Florida and Louisiana, citrus orchards in Florida, pecan orchards in Mississippi and Alabama, and heavy sod and ornamental production around Mobile and Tampa Bay. In addition to crops, management of timberlands in proximity to the coasts also plays a role in nutrient loading. In the summer of 2008, a feasibility project is planned to explore the use of NASA data to enhance the spatial and temporal resolution of near-coast nutrient source information available to the coastal community. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the viability of nutrient source information products applicable to small to medium watersheds surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Conceptually, these products are intended to complement estuarine nutrient monitoring.

Ross, Kenton W.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars

Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bars are the standard diet for mice involved in spaceflight experiments aboard the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Rodent Research Project. These Food Bars are a twin-screw extruded AIN-93G based product with nutrient additives to preserve a healthy and complete diet for the animals, and the bar form factor is necessary for use in the microgravity environment. Due to the nature of NASA flight projects and the lengthy production process of these Food Bars, a shelf-life assessment was undertaken to determine nutrient stability over an extended storage time. To assess palatability and stability over an extended duration, a panel of lipid oxidation markers and both fat- and water-soluble vitamins were assessed under various time and temperature conditions via AOAC International standardized methodology. Thiamine was the least stable vitamin at room temperature. Bars that had been continually kept at 4C (t=6, 12, 27 months) showed significantly higher levels of thiamine (via Student’s t-test) compared to all other bars that underwent some degree of ambient temperature storage. This suggests that refrigeration is a key component in maintaining adequate nutrient levels in these relatively high moisture (average 29.3%) food bars. Also of note was the level of Vitamin A in the form of retinol. There was no correlation to storage temperature, but rather the only factor having an effect on retinol levels was time. As low, yet consistent decrease in retinol was observed over the course of the experiment, though at no time did the retinol levels drop below the rodent Nutrient Requirements for Laboratory Animals (NRC). In conclusion, over the 27-month time course, all analyzed vitamins and lipid oxidation factors remained relatively stable and at levels which provide fully sufficient nutrition to rodents during spaceflight. Some groups however, displayed higher-than-expected aerobic and anaerobic bacteria colony forming units, which is believed to stem from a since-revised handling technique.

Food↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

BioNutrients-3: Precision Fermentation, Pasteurization, and Pathogen Detection - Towards Safe Fermentation and Production of Nutrients in Space

The BioNutrients (BN) project is developing a microbial manufacturing approach to supplement the NASA food system to address known nutrient degradation associated with long-term storage. BN uses synthetic biology to deliver high-value nutrients and therapeutics through genetic engineering of microbes and production of fermented food products like yogurt and kefir, in a fully dehydrated system. On-demand production of nutrients for human consumption requires rigorous safety protocols to ensure contaminants are not introduced during the fermentation process. The third iteration of the BN flight project, BN-3, further develops the BN project by investigating strategies for pathogen detection and pasteurization in microgravity. BN-3 will test the limits of pathogen detection using whole genome sequencing, standard microbial assays and the NASA Ames E-Nose, a volatile carbon nano tube-based sensor array, to detect unwanted microbes. BN-3 also expands on the number of nutrients produced in a single bioreactor to enhance efficiency of the system by combining production of B vitamins in conjunction with the carotenoids, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Serial production of food products through yogurt passaging, new updates to the fluorinated ethylene propylene bags to allow crew access via a straw, as well as use of a food safe pH indicator dye to indicate readiness of the food product, will further enhance the useability of this system. This presentation will provide status of the BN-3 flight project with the aim of advancing in-space biomanufacturing for on-demand microbially based food production for future space exploration.

Biomanufacturing↗

NASA NTRS1979

Recycling plant, human and animal wastes to plant nutrients in a closed ecological system

The essential minerals for plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium (macronutrients), calcium, magnesium, sulfur (secondary nutrients), iron, manganese, boron, copper, zinc, chlorine, sodium, and molybdenum (micronutrients). The first step in recycling wastes will undoubtedly be oxidation of carbon and hydrogen to CO2 and H2O. Transformation of minerals to plant nutrients depends upon the mode of oxidation to define the state of the nutrients. For the purpose of illustrating the type of processing required, ash and off-gas compositions of an incineration process were assumed and subsequent processing requirements were identified. Several processing schemes are described for separating out sodium chloride from the ash, leading to reformulation of a nutrient solution which should be acceptable to plants.

Meissner, H. P.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Nutrients in waters on the inner shelf between Cape Charles and Cape Hatteras

The distribution of nutrients in the shelf waters of the southern tip of the Middle Atlantic Bight was investigated. It is concluded that the outflow of freshwater from the Chesapeake Bay is a potential source of nutrients to the adjacent shelf waters. However, a quantitative estimation of its importance cannot yet be made because (1) there are other sources of nutrients to the study area and these sources cannot yet be quantified and (2) the concentrations of nutrients in the outflow from Chesapeake Bay exhibit significant short-term and long-term temporal variabilities.

Wong, G. T. F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A summary of porous tube plant nutrient delivery system investigations from 1985 to 1991

The Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Program is a research effort to evaluate biological processes at a one person scale to provide air, water, and food for humans in closed environments for space habitation. This program focuses currently on the use of conventional crop plants and the use of hydroponic systems to grow them. Because conventional hydroponic systems are dependent on gravity to conduct solution flow, they cannot be used in the microgravity of space. Thus, there is a need for a system that will deliver water and nutrients to plant roots under microgravity conditions. The Plant Space Biology Program is interested in investigating the effect that the space environment has on the growth and development of plants. Thus, there is also a need to have a standard nutrient delivery method for growing plants in space for research into plant responses to microgravity. The Porous Tube Plant Nutrient Delivery System (PTPNDS) utilizes a hydrophilic, microporous material to control water and nutrient delivery to plant roots. It has been designed and analyzed to support plant growth independent of gravity and plans are progressing to test it in microgravity. It has been used successfully to grow food crops to maturity in an earth-bound laboratory. This document includes a bibliography and summary reports from the growth trials performed utilizing the PTPNDS.

Dreschel, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High-Moisture Diet for Laboratory Rats: Nutrient Analysis, Growth, and Organ Weights

A diet (KSC-25) to be sterilized by irradiation was formulated to contain 66% moisture and to provide the required nutrients for growing rats. Analyses of the irradiated dry diet provided data to evaluate its nutrient content. The diet was evaluated for its ability to supply all nutrients, including water, required by immature rats. Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were fed the high-moisture diet with or without access to a water bottle. Rats (n = 16) fed an irradiated purified diet in a meal form with access to a water bottle were the control animals. Feed efficiency, food and water consumption, and growth rate data were collected during the 28-day study. Organ weights were collected on day 28. The test diet met or exceeded the National Research Council (NRC) estimated nutritional requirements for immature laboratory rats. The 66% moisture KSC-25 diet provided all nutrients, including water, required by weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats for growth equivalent to the established purified diet.

Battles, August H.↗

NASA NTRS1998

A Data Base of Nutrient Use, Water Use, CO2 Exchange, and Ethylene Production by Soybeans in a Controlled Environment

A data set is given describing daily nutrient and water uptake, carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange, ethylene production, and carbon and nutrient partitioning from a 20 sq m stand of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. McCall] for use in bioregenerative life support systems. Stand CO2 exchange rates were determined from nocturnal increases in CO2 (respiration) and morning drawdowns (net photosynthesis) to a set point of 1000 micromol/ mol each day (i.e., a closed system approach). Atmospheric samples were analyzed throughout growth for ethylene using gas chromatography with photoionization detection (GC/PH)). Water use was monitored by condensate production from the humidity control system, as well as water uptake from the nutrient solution reservoirs each day. Nutrient uptake data were determined from daily additions of stock solution and acid to maintain an EC of 0.12 S/m and pH of 5.8. Dry mass yields of seeds, pods (without seeds), leaves, stems, and roots are provided, as well as elemental and proximate nutritional compositions of the tissues. A methods section is included to qualify any assumptions that might be required for the use of the data in plant growth models, along with a daily event calendar documenting set point adjustments and the occasional equipment or sensor failure.

Wheeler, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Seasonal Distributions of Global Ocean Chlorophyll and Nutrients: Analysis with a Coupled Ocean General Circulation Biogeochemical, and Radiative Model

A coupled general ocean circulation, biogeochemical, and radiative model was constructed to evaluate and understand the nature of seasonal variability of chlorophyll and nutrients in the global oceans. The model is driven by climatological meteorological conditions, cloud cover, and sea surface temperature. Biogeochemical processes in the model are determined from the influences of circulation and turbulence dynamics, irradiance availability, and the interactions among three functional phytoplankton groups (diatoms, chorophytes, and picoplankton) and three nutrient groups (nitrate, ammonium, and silicate). Phytoplankton groups are initialized as homogeneous fields horizontally and vertically, and allowed to distribute themselves according to the prevailing conditions. Basin-scale model chlorophyll results are in very good agreement with CZCS pigments in virtually every global region. Seasonal variability observed in the CZCS is also well represented in the model. Synoptic scale (100-1000 km) comparisons of imagery are also in good conformance, although occasional departures are apparent. Agreement of nitrate distributions with in situ data is even better, including seasonal dynamics, except for the equatorial Atlantic. The good agreement of the model with satellite and in situ data sources indicates that the model dynamics realistically simulate phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics on synoptic scales. This is especially true given that initial conditions are homogenous chlorophyll fields. The success of the model in producing a reasonable representation of chlorophyll and nutrient distributions and seasonal variability in the global oceans is attributed to the application of a generalized, processes-driven approach as opposed to regional parameterization, and the existence of multiple phytoplankton groups with different physiological and physical properties. These factors enable the model to simultaneously represent the great diversity of physical, biological, chemical, and radiative environments encountered in the global oceans.

Gregg, Watson W.↗

NASA NTRS2000

A Coupled Ocean General Circulation, Biogeochemical, and Radiative Model of the Global Oceans: Seasonal Distributions of Ocean Chlorophyll and Nutrients

A coupled ocean general circulation, biogeochemical, and radiative model was constructed to evaluate and understand the nature of seasonal variability of chlorophyll and nutrients in the global oceans. Biogeochemical processes in the model are determined from the influences of circulation and turbulence dynamics, irradiance availability. and the interactions among three functional phytoplankton groups (diatoms. chlorophytes, and picoplankton) and three nutrients (nitrate, ammonium, and silicate). Basin scale (greater than 1000 km) model chlorophyll results are in overall agreement with CZCS pigments in many global regions. Seasonal variability observed in the CZCS is also represented in the model. Synoptic scale (100-1000 km) comparisons of imagery are generally in conformance although occasional departures are apparent. Model nitrate distributions agree with in situ data, including seasonal dynamics, except for the equatorial Atlantic. The overall agreement of the model with satellite and in situ data sources indicates that the model dynamics offer a reasonably realistic simulation of phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics on synoptic scales. This is especially true given that initial conditions are homogenous chlorophyll fields. The success of the model in producing a reasonable representation of chlorophyll and nutrient distributions and seasonal variability in the global oceans is attributed to the application of a generalized, processes-driven approach as opposed to regional parameterization and the existence of multiple phytoplankton groups with different physiological and physical properties. These factors enable the model to simultaneously represent many aspects of the great diversity of physical, biological, chemical, and radiative environments encountered in the global oceans.

Gregg, Watson W.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Density and composition of microorganisms during long-term (418 day) growth of potato using biologically reclaimed nutrients from inedible plant biomass

A study evaluating alternative methods for long term operation of biomass production systems was recently completed at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The 418-day study evaluated repeated batch versus mixed-aged production of potato grown on either standard 1/2-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution or solutions including nutrients recycled from inedible plant material. The long term effects of closure and recycling on microbial dynamics were evaluated by monitoring the microbial communities associated with various habitats within the plant growth system (i.e., plant roots, nutrient solution, biofilms within the hydroponic systems, atmosphere, and atmospheric condensate). Plate count methods were used to enumerate and characterize microorganisms. Microscopic staining methods were used to estunate total cell densities. The primary finding was that the density and composition of microbial communities associated with controlled environmental plant growth systems are stable during long term operation. Continuous production resulted in slightly greater stability. Nutrient recycling, despite the addition of soluble organic material from the waste processing system, did not significantly increase microbial density in any of the habitats.

NASA Center KSC↗

NASA NTRS1996

Comparison of aerobically-treated and untreated crop residue as a source of recycled nutrients in a recirculating hydroponic system

This study compared the growth of potato plants on nutrients recycled from inedible potato biomass. Plants were grown for 105 days in recirculating, thin-film hydroponic systems containing four separate nutrient solution treatments: (1) modified half-strength Hoagland's (control), 2) liquid effluent from a bioreactor containing inedible potato biomass, 3) filtered (0.2 micrometer) effluent, and 4) the water soluble fraction of inedible potato biomass (leachate). Approximately 50% of the total nutrient requirement in treatments 2-4 were provided (recycled) from the potato biomass. Leachate had an inhibitory effect on leaf conductance, photosynthetic rate, and growth (50% reduction in plant height and 60% reduction in tuber yield). Plants grown on bioreactor effluent (filtered or unfiltered) were similar to the control plants. These results indicated that rapidly degraded, water soluble organic material contained in the inedible biomass, i.e., material in leachate, brought about phytotoxicity in the hydroponic culture of potato. Recalcitrant, water soluble organic material accumulated in all nutrient recycling treatments (650% increase after 105 days), but no increase in rhizosphere microbial numbers was observed.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗

NASA NTRS2011

Adding Remote Sensing Data Products to the Nutrient Management Decision Support Toolbox

Some of the primary issues that manifest from nutrient enrichment and eutrophication (Figure 1) may be observed from satellites. For example, remotely sensed estimates of chlorophyll a (chla), total suspended solids (TSS), and light attenuation (Kd) or water clarity, which are often associated with elevated nutrient inputs, are data products collected daily and globally for coastal systems from satellites such as NASA s MODIS (Figure 2). The objective of this project is to inform water quality decision making activities using remotely sensed water quality data. In particular, we seek to inform the development of numeric nutrient criteria. In this poster we demonstrate an approach for developing nutrient criteria based on remotely sensed chla.

Lehrter, John↗

NASA NTRS2015

Plant Biomass Leaching for Nutrient Recovery in Closed Loop Systems Project

Plants will be important for food and O2 production during long term human habitation in space. Recycling of nutrients (e.g., from waste materials) could reduce the resupply costs of fertilizers for growing these plants. Work at NASA's Kennedy Space Center has shown that ion exchange resins can extract fertilizer (plant essential nutrients) from human waste water, after which the residual brine could be treated with electrodialysis to recover more water and produce high value chemicals (e.g., acids and bases). In habitats with significant plant production, inedible biomass becomes a major source of solid waste. To "close the loop" we also need to recover useful nutrients and fertilizer from inedible biomass. We are investigating different approaches to retrieve nutrients from inedible plant biomass, including physical leaching with water, processing the biomass in bioreactors, changing the pH of leaching processing, and/or conducting multiple leaches of biomass residues.

Technology Portfolio System↗

NASA NTRS2019

Bionutrients-1, On-Demand Production of Nutrients in Space

Future long-duration missions face significant challenges maintaining crew health. A critical area is supplying adequate nutrition, as certain vitamins and nutrients in supplied foods and supplements demonstrate substantial degradation during extended storage. To address this issue, we are developing and flight-testing a platform technology that demonstrates in situ microbial production of targeted nutrients over extended mission durations. This 5-year experiment, known as BioNutrients-1, was started on the International Space Station in May 2019. It involves two components: an on-orbit hydration and production experiment; and the development of space-compatible, key bio-manufacturing microorganisms. On-orbit testing utilizes a small “production pack” system that encloses sterile edible growth substrate and desiccated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains genetically engineered to produce the nutrients beta-carotene or zeaxanthin. On hydration and mixing of the production pack, the organisms revive and grow until limited by the depletion of growth media, hypothetically leading to consistent amounts of biomass and nutrients. In eventual mission applications, the packet contents would be heat treated to inactivate the microorganisms prior to consumption. For these flight experiments, the packet will not be heat treated, but will instead be frozen for return to Earth for analyses. In addition to the production pack trials, 14 different microorganisms/treatments were also delivered to ISS for long-duration storage. These samples will be intermittently returned to Earth and analyzed to determine survival rates and genomics. For this presentation, initial data from returned samples and ground controls will be discussed.

Hindupur, Aditya↗

NASA NTRS2019

BioNutrients-1: On-Demand Production of Nutrients in Space

Future long-duration missions face significant challenges maintaining crew health. A critical area is supplying adequate nutrition, as certain vitamins and nutrients in supplied foods and supplements demonstrate substantial degradation during extended storage. To address this issue, we are developing and flight-testing a platform technology that demonstrates in situ microbial production of targeted nutrients over extended mission durations. This 5-year experiment, known as BioNutrients-1, was started on the International Space Station in May 2019. It involves two components: an on-orbit hydration and production experiment; and the development of space-compatible, key bio-manufacturing microorganisms. On-orbit testing utilizes a small "production pack" system that encloses sterile edible growth substrate and desiccated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains genetically engineered to produce the nutrients beta-carotene or zeaxanthin. On hydration and mixing of the production pack, the organisms revive and grow until limited by the depletion of growth media, hypothetically leading to consistent amounts of biomass and nutrients. In eventual mission applications, the packet contents would be heat treated to inactivate the microorganisms prior to consumption. For these flight experiments, the packet will not be heat treated, but will instead be frozen for return to Earth for analyses. In addition to the production pack trials, 14 different microorganisms/treatments were also delivered to ISS for long-duration storage. These samples will be intermittently returned to Earth and analyzed to determine survival rates and genomics. For this presentation, initial data from returned samples and ground controls will be discussed.

Hindupur, Aditya↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Bionutrients: Microbial Production of on-Demand Nutrients on the International Space Station

Providing adequate nutrition to crew members is essential as deep-space missions cannot rely on consistent Earth-based resupply. The current NASA pre-packaged food system is designed for low-earth-orbit missions with a stated shelf-life of two years and notable vitamin degradation over time. One strategy to mitigate nutrient loss is to implement bioregenerative food sources to supplement the pre-packaged food system. The BioNutrients project is designed to provide targeted production of short shelf-life nutrients in a single-use production pack. BioNutrients-1 includes two strains of edible yeast that have been genetically engineered to produce carotenoids, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin. This five-year mission on the International Space Station (ISS), launched in 2019, tests the long-term storage and nutrient production of the microorganisms of interest. Additional microorganisms are also stored in stasis packs to determine the effects of long-duration storage on the ISS. These organisms may be useful for production of fermented foods, pharmaceuticals, or biomanufacturing processes. Improving on the BioNutrients-1 project, BioNutrients-2 has optimized the production pack hardware by reducing the overall mass and volume of the system. Furthermore, BioNutrients-2 has expanded the projects scope by investigating novel products and microbial food sources. BioNutrients-2 is a six-month mission, launched in 2022, which tests production of fresh foods such as yogurt and kefir. The BioNutrients missions seek to provide advances for in-space biomanufacturing by addressing safe and reliable production of high-value nutrients and on-demand foods for future exploration efforts.

BioNutrients↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Bionutrients: Microbial Production of on-Demand Nutrients on the International Space Station

BioNutrients↗