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Adv Space Res

Title:		Aquatic food production modules in bioregenerative life support systems based on higher plants
Author(s):		Bluem V; Paris F;
Address:		"Comparative Endocrinology Research Section, C.E.B.A.S. Center of Excellence, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany"
Journal Title:		Adv Space Res
Year:		2001
Volume:		27
Issue:		9
Page Number:		1513 - 1522
DOI:		10.1016/s0273-1177(01)00243-5
ISSN/ISBN:		0273-1177 (Print) 0273-1177 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Most bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) are based on gravitropic higher plants which exhibit growth and seed generation disturbances in microgravity. Even when used for a lunar or martian base the reduced gravity may induce a decreased productivity in comparison to Earth. Therefore, the implementation of aquatic biomass production modules in higher plant and/or hybrid BLSS may compensate for this and offer, in addition, the possibility to produce animal protein for human nutrition. It was shown on the SLS-89 and SLS-90 space shuttle missions with the C.E.B.A.S.-MINI MODULE that the edible non gravitropic rootless higher aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demeresum exhibits an undisturbed high biomass production rate in space and that the teleost fish species, Xiphophorus helleri, adapts rapidly to space conditions without loss of its normal reproductive functions. Based on these findings a series of ground-based aquatic food production systems were developed which are disposed for utilization in space. These are plant production bioreactors for the species mentioned above and another suitable candidate, the lemnacean (duckweed) species, Wolffia arrhiza. Moreover, combined intensive aquaculture systems with a closed food loop between herbivorous fishes and aquatic and land plants are being developed which may be suitable for integration into a BLSS of higher complexity. Grant numbers: WS50WB9319-3, IVA1216-00588"
Keywords:		"Animals Aquaculture/*instrumentation Biomass Bioreactors Cyprinodontiformes *Ecological Systems, Closed Humans Life Support Systems/*instrumentation Plants Snails Space Flight/*instrumentation *Weightlessness;"
Notes:		"MedlineBluem, V Paris, F eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2001/11/07 Adv Space Res. 2001; 27(9):1513-22. doi: 10.1016/s0273-1177(01)00243-5"