Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars
The Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bar (NuRFB) is the standard diet for mice in NASA’s Rodent Research Project aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Given the nature of spaceflight and the lengthy production process of the food bars, a shelf-life assessment was conducted to evaluate nutrition...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/24/4093 |
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| author | Janani Iyer Tyler S Marsh Ryan J Fisher Vandana Verma |
| author_facet | Janani Iyer Tyler S Marsh Ryan J Fisher Vandana Verma |
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| description | The Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bar (NuRFB) is the standard diet for mice in NASA’s Rodent Research Project aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Given the nature of spaceflight and the lengthy production process of the food bars, a shelf-life assessment was conducted to evaluate nutritional stability over time (ranging from 0 to 27 months) and under different storage conditions (refrigerated, ambient, and refrigerated + ambient), where ambient is 22–23 °C. Lipid oxidation markers and fat- and water-soluble vitamins were assessed under various time and temperature conditions using AOAC International methods. Vitamin D levels showed a minor decrease, and riboflavin fluctuated slightly over time, but all vitamin levels remained above National Research Council (NRC) minimum requirements. Food bars stored at 4 °C showed significantly higher thiamine levels than the bars that underwent some degree of ambient temperature storage, but all met the NRC guidelines. Minimal lipid oxidation was observed for up to 18 months, and no mold or yeast growth occurred despite the high moisture content of the bars. This study confirms that NuRFBs maintain stable vitamin and lipid oxidation indices, ensuring adequate nutrition for rodents during spaceflight. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e246eaa851f3431c818b9e44204e9ec4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-e246eaa851f3431c818b9e44204e9ec42024-12-27T14:26:29ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582024-12-011324409310.3390/foods13244093Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food BarsJanani Iyer0Tyler S Marsh1Ryan J Fisher2Vandana Verma3Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USAKBR, Houston, TX 77002, USASpace Biosciences, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USASpace Biosciences, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USAThe Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bar (NuRFB) is the standard diet for mice in NASA’s Rodent Research Project aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Given the nature of spaceflight and the lengthy production process of the food bars, a shelf-life assessment was conducted to evaluate nutritional stability over time (ranging from 0 to 27 months) and under different storage conditions (refrigerated, ambient, and refrigerated + ambient), where ambient is 22–23 °C. Lipid oxidation markers and fat- and water-soluble vitamins were assessed under various time and temperature conditions using AOAC International methods. Vitamin D levels showed a minor decrease, and riboflavin fluctuated slightly over time, but all vitamin levels remained above National Research Council (NRC) minimum requirements. Food bars stored at 4 °C showed significantly higher thiamine levels than the bars that underwent some degree of ambient temperature storage, but all met the NRC guidelines. Minimal lipid oxidation was observed for up to 18 months, and no mold or yeast growth occurred despite the high moisture content of the bars. This study confirms that NuRFBs maintain stable vitamin and lipid oxidation indices, ensuring adequate nutrition for rodents during spaceflight.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/24/4093Rodentspaceflightfood barsnutrients |
| spellingShingle | Janani Iyer Tyler S Marsh Ryan J Fisher Vandana Verma Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars Foods Rodent spaceflight food bars nutrients |
| title | Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars |
| title_full | Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars |
| title_fullStr | Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars |
| title_short | Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars |
| title_sort | nutrient stability in nasa spaceflight experiment rodent food bars |
| topic | Rodent spaceflight food bars nutrients |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/13/24/4093 |
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