Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices
As human physiology gets altered in the presence of space flight conditions such as microgravity and radiation, microbes also behave differently in space. Many microorganisms have been isolated from space stations and spacecrafts after human space travel. Biofilm formation and biofilm-related foulin...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Space Technologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1553854/full |
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| author | Manali Patel Priya Patel Nasreen S. Munshi Shikha Patel Shrushti Patil Anshu Srivastva Jibin Dhanraj Raviteja Duggineni Priti Mehta |
| author_facet | Manali Patel Priya Patel Nasreen S. Munshi Shikha Patel Shrushti Patil Anshu Srivastva Jibin Dhanraj Raviteja Duggineni Priti Mehta |
| author_sort | Manali Patel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As human physiology gets altered in the presence of space flight conditions such as microgravity and radiation, microbes also behave differently in space. Many microorganisms have been isolated from space stations and spacecrafts after human space travel. Biofilm formation and biofilm-related fouling specifically in the water recovery system of space stations are known. Microbes have evolved various physiological and genetic adaptations which allow them to grow and develop biofilm in harsh space environments as well. They contaminate the spacecraft environment, its surfaces, water system, and food products and also affect astronauts’ health due to decreased immunity in space. Microbes also develop antibiotic resistance and hence, the choice of antibiotics is a challenging task for treating infection during space travel. There is also a negative impact of the space environment on the stability of antimicrobial agents and many get degraded in the presence of ionizing space radiation. This article describes strategies that may decrease the risk of microbial contamination and associated problems during space expeditions. Various preventive measures are suggested such as use of disinfectants for periodic cleaning, development of antibiotic coated surfaces to kill microbes, development of space-hardy anti-microbial drugs, etc. Multifaceted approach that integrates technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and robust policy frameworks is essential. Space based microbial research can further help for the innovations in healthcare and environment management on earth. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5b9ff1806244cbdbe2d1194e2b3e367 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-5075 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Space Technologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5b9ff1806244cbdbe2d1194e2b3e3672025-08-20T03:53:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Space Technologies2673-50752025-04-01610.3389/frspt.2025.15538541553854Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practicesManali Patel0Priya Patel1Nasreen S. Munshi2Shikha Patel3Shrushti Patil4Anshu Srivastva5Jibin Dhanraj6Raviteja Duggineni7Priti Mehta8Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaInstitute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaInstitute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaInstitute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaResearchSat Pvt Ltd., Adelaide, SA, AustraliaInstitute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaResearchSat Pvt Ltd., Adelaide, SA, AustraliaResearchSat Pvt Ltd., Adelaide, SA, AustraliaInstitute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, IndiaAs human physiology gets altered in the presence of space flight conditions such as microgravity and radiation, microbes also behave differently in space. Many microorganisms have been isolated from space stations and spacecrafts after human space travel. Biofilm formation and biofilm-related fouling specifically in the water recovery system of space stations are known. Microbes have evolved various physiological and genetic adaptations which allow them to grow and develop biofilm in harsh space environments as well. They contaminate the spacecraft environment, its surfaces, water system, and food products and also affect astronauts’ health due to decreased immunity in space. Microbes also develop antibiotic resistance and hence, the choice of antibiotics is a challenging task for treating infection during space travel. There is also a negative impact of the space environment on the stability of antimicrobial agents and many get degraded in the presence of ionizing space radiation. This article describes strategies that may decrease the risk of microbial contamination and associated problems during space expeditions. Various preventive measures are suggested such as use of disinfectants for periodic cleaning, development of antibiotic coated surfaces to kill microbes, development of space-hardy anti-microbial drugs, etc. Multifaceted approach that integrates technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and robust policy frameworks is essential. Space based microbial research can further help for the innovations in healthcare and environment management on earth.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1553854/fullmicrobes in spacemicrogravityspace radiationsantibiotics instabilitydisinfectantanti-microbial coating agents |
| spellingShingle | Manali Patel Priya Patel Nasreen S. Munshi Shikha Patel Shrushti Patil Anshu Srivastva Jibin Dhanraj Raviteja Duggineni Priti Mehta Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices Frontiers in Space Technologies microbes in space microgravity space radiations antibiotics instability disinfectant anti-microbial coating agents |
| title | Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices |
| title_full | Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices |
| title_fullStr | Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices |
| title_short | Microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment: addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices |
| title_sort | microbial contamination and pharmaceutical stability in space environment addressing dual challenge with innovative technologies and sustainable practices |
| topic | microbes in space microgravity space radiations antibiotics instability disinfectant anti-microbial coating agents |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frspt.2025.1553854/full |
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