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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.07.29.605555

Resource-efficiency of cyanobacterium production on Mars: Assessment and paths forward

Ramalho, T. P.·Baumgartner, V.·Kunst, N.·Rodrigues, D.·Bohuon, E.·Leroy, B.·Pillot, G.·Heinicke, C.·Kerzenmacher, S.·Avila, M.·Verseux, C.
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Abstract

Space agencies and private companies strive for a permanent human presence on the Moon and ultimately on Mars. Bioprocesses have been advocated as key enablers due to their ability to transform locally available resources into added-value materials. However, the resource-efficiency and scaling of space biosystems remain poorly understood, hindering quantitative estimates of their potential performance. We leveraged extensive cultivation experiments, where a cyanobacterium (Anabaena sp. PCC 7938) was subject to conditions attainable on Mars, to develop a model that can estimate bioprocess productivity and resource-efficiency as a function of water, light, temperature, regolith minerals and perchlorates, and atmospheric carbon and nitrogen. We show that a breakeven can be reached within a few years. We discuss research lines to improve both resource efficiency and the accuracy of the model, thereby reducing the need for costly tests in space and eventually leading to a biotechnology-supported, sustained human presence on Mars. TEASERBioprocess modeling shows that cyanobacterium-based biotechnologies can be a sustainable basis for resource production on Mars.

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Ramalho, T. P., Baumgartner, V., Kunst, N., Rodrigues, D., Bohuon, E., Leroy, B., Pillot, G., Heinicke, C., Kerzenmacher, S., Avila, M., Verseux, C.. 2024-07-29. Resource-efficiency of cyanobacterium production on Mars: Assessment and paths forward. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.29.605555

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