Cyanobacteria and Algal-Based Biological Life Support System (BLSS) and Planetary Surface Atmospheric Revitalizing Bioreactor Brief Concept Review

Abstract

Exploring austere environments required a reimagining of resource acquisition and utilization. Cyanobacterial in situ resources utilization (ISRU) and biological life support system (BLSS) bioreactors have been proposed to allow crewed space missions to extend beyond the temporal boundaries that current vehicle mass capacities allow. Many cyanobacteria and other microscopic organisms evolved during a period of Earth’s history that was marked by very harsh conditions, requiring robust biochemical systems to ensure survival. Some species work wonderfully in a bioweathering capacity (siderophilic), and others are widely used for their nutritional power (non-siderophilic). Playing to each of their strengths and having them grow and feed off of each other is the basis for the proposed idea for a series of three bioreactors, starting from regolith processing and proceeding to nutritional products, gaseous liberation, and biofuel production. In this paper, we discuss what that three reactor system will look like, with the main emphasis on the nutritional stage.

The Glutathione System: A Journey from Cyanobacteria to Higher Eukaryotes

“…Furthermore, they produce a wealth of metabolites, such as vitamins, antioxidants (such as ergothioneine mentioned below), antibiotics, antifreezes, drugs, osmoprotectants and toxins [ 56 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ] that can influence human health and/or improve plant growth and/or resistance to stress (drought, salt, heavy metals and pathogens) [ 78 ]. Currently, several cyanobacteria are being tested as a way to replenish O 2 , provide food, and recycle CO 2 and urea wastes during long-term space missions [ 79 , 80 ]. Moreover, cyanobacteria are viewed as promising cell factories for the production of chemicals (biofuels, biodegradable bioplastics, drugs, solvents, etc.)…”

Sustaining a Mars Colony through Integration of Single-Cell Oil in Biological Life Support Systems

“…The extracted water must also be pretreated to reduce its salt content. A major challenge for successful food production on Mars is the nitrogen deficit, as it is present in the atmosphere in very low concentrations (only 2.7 %) [48], [50]- [53].…”

Electric Polarization-Dependent Absorption and Photocurrent Generation in Limnospira indica Immobilized on Boron-Doped Diamond

“…The use of living organisms for conversion of solar energy to value-added products through the process of photosynthesis is an exciting field of research that has regained interest recently. , Photosynthetic organisms, particularly algae and cyanobacteria, can be deployed on various scales to generate electricity, produce biofuels, synthesize valuable compounds, or drive other electrochemical reactions, including those for biosensing, depending on the specific biological components and electrode materials used. Since biophotoelectrochemical cells (BPECs) utilize the natural process of photosynthesis and maintain their performance as long as a stable provision of photonic energy of adequate wavelength and necessary nutrients is guaranteed, they are considered for integration into regenerative life support systems (closed-loop systems), such as those used in space exploration or other harsh environments like deserts. , BPECs and larger bioreactors in space can generate electricity while recycle carbon dioxide, generate oxygen and biomass to be utilized either as supplementary food, biofertilizer or as construction material (in the form of biopolymers), and a range of biofuels and chemical products in the context of in situ resource utilization, contributing to durable self-sustaining environments for space travel and colonization. , …”