Addition of anaerobic electron acceptors to solid media did not enhance growth of 125 spacecraft bacteria under simulated low-pressure Martian conditions.

ABSTRACT: To protect Mars from microbial contamination, research on growth of microorganisms found in spacecraft assembly clean rooms under simulated Martian conditions is required. This study investigated the effects of low atmospheric pressure on the growth of chemoorganotrophic spacecraft bacteria and whether the addition of Mars relevant anaerobic electron acceptors might enhance growth. The 125 bacteria screened here were recovered from actual Mars spacecraft. Growth at 7 hPa, 0 °C, and a CO₂-enriched anoxic atmosphere (called low-PTA conditions) was tested on five TSA-based media supplemented with anaerobic electron acceptors. None of the 125 spacecraft bacteria showed active growth under the tested low-PTA conditions and amended media. In contrast, a decrease in viability was obser

SUBMITTER: Schwendner P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7588431 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature