The current state and future trends of space nutrition from a perspective of astronauts' physiology

Bychkov, Aleksey; Reshetnikova, Polina; Bychkova, Elena; Podgorbunskikh, Ekaterina; Koptev, V. Yu.

doi:10.1016/j.ijgfs.2021.100324

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…Although this vegetable provides only a limited amount of calories, it is nevertheless a rich source of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids (mainly lutein and β-carotene) and polyphenols, which counteract the development of chronic diseases and could be helpful to maintain health in space missions (58). A long-term space mission inevitably results in a progressive decline in astronauts' mental and physical performances (59). In this context, dietary supplementation with fresh vegetables rich in nutraceuticals possessing high antioxidant activity could, on the one hand, minimize pathophysiological effects (59,60) and, on the other hand, help maintain mental well-being of individuals forced to live in isolated or extreme environments (17,50).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A long-term space mission inevitably results in a progressive decline in astronauts' mental and physical performances (59). In this context, dietary supplementation with fresh vegetables rich in nutraceuticals possessing high antioxidant activity could, on the one hand, minimize pathophysiological effects (59,60) and, on the other hand, help maintain mental well-being of individuals forced to live in isolated or extreme environments (17,50). Considering the above, two commercial simulants (a Martian and a Lunar simulant) were amended with different ratios of manure from monogastric animals aiming to evaluate the possible effects on lettuce cultivation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce Grown in Different Mixtures of Monogastric-Based Manure With Lunar and Martian Soils

et al. 2022

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The supplementation of bioactive compounds in astronaut’s diets is undeniable, especially in the extreme and inhospitable habitat of future space settlements. This study aims to enhance the Martian and Lunar regolith fertility (testing two commercial simulants) through the provision of organic matter (manure) as established by in situ resource utilization (ISRU) approach. In this perspective, we obtained 8 different substrates after mixing Mojave Mars Simulant (MMS-1) or Lunar Highlands Simulant (LHS-1), with four different rates of manure (0, 10, 30, and 50%, w/w) from monogastric animals. Then, we assessed how these substrates can modulate fresh yield, organic acid, carotenoid content, antioxidant activity, and phenolic profile of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.). Regarding fresh biomass production, MMS-1-amended substrates recorded higher yields than LHS-1-ones; plants grown on a 70:30 MMS-1/manure mixture produced the highest foliar biomass. Moreover, we found an increase in lutein and β-carotene content by + 181 and + 263%, respectively, when applying the highest percentage of manure (50%) compared with pure simulants or less-amended mixtures. The 50:50 MMS-1/manure treatment also contained the highest amounts of individual and total organic acids, especially malate content. The highest antioxidant activity for the ABTS assay was recorded when no manure was added. The highest content of total hydroxycinnamic acids was observed when no manure was added, whereas ferulic acid content (most abundant compound) was the highest in 70:30 simulant/manure treatment, as well as in pure LHS-1 simulant. The flavonoid content was the highest in pure-simulant treatment (for most of the compounds), resulting in the highest total flavonoid and total phenol content. Our findings indicate that the addition of manure at specific rates (30%) may increase the biomass production of lettuce plants cultivated in MMS-1 simulant, while the phytochemical composition is variably affected by manure addition, depending on the stimulant. Therefore, the agronomic practice of manure amendment showed promising results; however, it must be tested with other species or in combination with other factors, such as fertilization rates and biostimulants application, to verify its applicability in space colonies for food production purposes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce Grown in Different Mixtures of Monogastric-Based Manure With Lunar and Martian Soils

et al. 2022

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“…Newborns, pregnant women, and astronauts tend to experience deficiencies in vitamin K, which is known as the clotting vitamin. There are two kinds of natural vitamin K: (1) vitamin K1 promotes blood clotting for female astronauts to help reduce period hemorrhage in great quantities and prevent internal hemorrhage and hemorrhoid [ 124 ]; (2) vitamin K2 is involved in bone metabolism. Studies have found that loss of vitamin K is associated with low bone mass or increased bone loss [ 125 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Space Nutrition: A Scoping Review

Rising

Majji

et al. 2021

Nutrients

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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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“…As space programs developed and data regarding effects of spaceflight conditions on the human body became available, attention was increasingly paid to other aspects of food, including sensory properties and nutrition. This led to considerations regarding food preparation technology, shelf life, and packaging [ 12 ]. In the Apollo Space Program (1961–1972), menu items were expanded to include thermostabilized pouches, canned fruits, and irradiated meats [ 11 ].…”

Section: Energy and Nutritional Requirements In Space Programsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preserving Ready-to-Eat Meals Using Microwave Technologies for Future Space Programs

Ross

Sablani

Tang

2023

Foods

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The crewed suborbital and space flights launched by private companies over the past three years have rejuvenated public interest in space travel, including space tourism. Ready-to-eat meals (MREs) are the main source of nutrients and energy for space travelers. It is critical that those meals are free of bacterial and viral pathogens and have adequate shelf life. The participation of private companies in space programs will create new opportunities and demand for high-quality and microbiologically safe MREs for future space travels. In this article, we provide a brief review of nutrition and energy requirements for human activities in space. We discuss the general thermal processing requirements for control of bacterial and viral pathogens in MREs and introduce advanced thermal preservation technologies based on microwaves for production of MREs with different shelf-lives under various storage conditions. We also present the latest advancements in the development of polymer packaging materials for quality preservation of thermally stabilized MREs over extended storage. Finally, we recommend future research on issues related to the sensory quality of specially formulated MREs, microbial safety of dried foods that complement high moisture MREs, and food package waste management in future space missions.

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The current state and future trends of space nutrition from a perspective of astronauts' physiology

Cited by 20 publications

References 86 publications

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce Grown in Different Mixtures of Monogastric-Based Manure With Lunar and Martian Soils

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce Grown in Different Mixtures of Monogastric-Based Manure With Lunar and Martian Soils

Long-Term Space Nutrition: A Scoping Review

Preserving Ready-to-Eat Meals Using Microwave Technologies for Future Space Programs

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