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Ilgrande, C.; Defoirdt, T.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N.; Clauwaert, P. |
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Title |
Media optimization, strain compatibility, and low-shear modeled microgravity exposure of synthetic microbial communities for urine nitrification in regenerative life-support systems |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year  |
2019 |
Publication |
Astrobiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
19 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
1353-1362 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
Urine is a major waste product of human metabolism and contains essential macro- and micronutrients to produce edible microorganisms and crops. Its biological conversion into a stable form can be obtained through urea hydrolysis, subsequent nitrification, and organics removal, to recover a nitrate-enriched stream, free of oxygen demand. In this study, the utilization of a microbial community for urine nitrification was optimized with the focus for space application. To assess the role of selected parameters that can impact ureolysis in urine, the activity of six ureolytic heterotrophs (Acidovorax delafieldii, Comamonas testosteroni, Cupriavidus necator, Delftia acidovorans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Vibrio campbellii) was tested at different salinities, urea, and amino acid concentrations. The interaction of the ureolytic heterotrophs with a nitrifying consortium (Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718 and Nitrobacter winogradskyi ATCC 25931) was also tested. Lastly, microgravity was simulated in a clinostat utilizing hardware for in-flight experiments with active microbial cultures. The results indicate salt inhibition of the ureolysis at 30 mS cm(-1), while amino acid nitrogen inhibits ureolysis in a strain-dependent manner. The combination of the nitrifiers with C. necator and V. campbellii resulted in a complete halt of the urea hydrolysis process, while in the case of A. delafieldii incomplete nitrification was observed, and nitrite was not oxidized further to nitrate. Nitrate production was confirmed in all the other communities; however, the other heterotrophic strains most likely induced oxygen competition in the test setup, and nitrite accumulation was observed. Samples exposed to low-shear modeled microgravity through clinorotation behaved similarly to the static controls. Overall, nitrate production from urea was successfully demonstrated with synthetic microbial communities under terrestrial and simulated space gravity conditions, corroborating the application of this process in space. |
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Wos |
000492817700004 |
Publication Date |
2019-10-28 |
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ISSN |
1557-8070; 1531-1074 |
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UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:164663 |
Serial |
8215 |
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Author |
Christiaens, M.E.R.; De Paepe, J.; Ilgrande, C.; De Vrieze, J.; Barys, J.; Teirlinck, P.; Meerbergen, K.; Lievens, B.; Boon, N.; Clauwaert, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E. |
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Title |
Urine nitrification with a synthetic microbial community |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Systematic and applied microbiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
42 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
Unsp 126021 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
During long-term extra-terrestrial missions, food is limited and waste is generated. By recycling valuable nutrients from this waste via regenerative life support systems, food can be produced in space. Astronauts' urine can, for instance, be nitrified by micro-organisms into a liquid nitrate fertilizer for plant growth in space. Due to stringent conditions in space, microbial communities need to be be defined (gnotobiotic); therefore, synthetic rather than mixed microbial communities are preferred. For urine nitrification, synthetic communities face challenges, such as from salinity, ureolysis, and organics. In this study, a synthetic microbial community containing an AOB (Nitrosomonas europaea), NOB (Nitrobacter winogradskyi), and three ureolytic heterotrophs (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acidovorax delafieldii, and Delftia acidovorans) was compiled and evaluated for these challenges. In reactor 1, salt adaptation of the ammonium-fed AOB and NOB co-culture was possible up to 45 mS cm(-1), which resembled undiluted nitrified urine, while maintaining a 44 +/- 10 mg NH4+-N L-1 d(-1) removal rate. In reactor 2, the nitrifiers and ureolytic heterotrophs were fed with urine and achieved a 15 +/- 6 mg NO3--N L-1 d(-1) production rate for 1% and 10% synthetic and fresh real urine, respectively. Batch activity tests with this community using fresh real urine even reached 29 +/- 3 mg N L-1 d(-1). Organics removal in the reactor (69 +/- 15%) should be optimized to generate a nitrate fertilizer for future space applications. (C) 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. |
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000494650600006 |
Publication Date |
2019-09-23 |
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ISSN |
0723-2020; 1618-0984 |
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UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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no |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:164650 |
Serial |
8717 |
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Author |
Ilgrande, C.; Mastroleo, F.; Christiaens, M.E.R.; Lindeboom, R.E.F.; Prat, D.; Van Hoey, O.; Ambrozova, I.; Coninx, I.; Heylen, W.; Pommerening-Roser, A.; Spieck, E.; Boon, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Leys, N.; Clauwaert, P. |
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Title |
Reactivation of microbial strains and synthetic communities after a spaceflight to the International Space Station : corroborating the feasibility of essential conversions in the MELiSSA Loop |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Astrobiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
19 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
1167-1176 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
To sustain human deep space exploration or extra-terrestrial settlements where no resupply from the Earth or other planets is possible, technologies for in situ food production, water, air, and waste recovery need to be developed. The Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) is such a Regenerative Life Support System (RLSS) and it builds on several bacterial bioprocesses. However, alterations in gravity, temperature, and radiation associated with the space environment can affect survival and functionality of the microorganisms. In this study, representative strains of different carbon and nitrogen metabolisms with application in the MELiSSA were selected for launch and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) exposure. An edible photoautotrophic strain (Arthrospira sp. PCC 8005), a photoheterotrophic strain (Rhodospirillum rubrum S1H), a ureolytic heterotrophic strain (Cupriavidus pinatubonensis 1245), and combinations of C. pinatubonensis 1245 and autotrophic ammonia and nitrite oxidizing strains (Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC19718, Nitrosomonas ureae Nm10, and Nitrobacter winogradskyi Nb255) were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for 7 days. There, the samples were exposed to 2.8 mGy, a dose 140 times higher than on the Earth, and a temperature of 22 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C. On return to the Earth, the cultures were reactivated and their growth and activity were compared with terrestrial controls stored under refrigerated (5 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C) or room temperature (22 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C and 21 degrees C +/- 0 degrees C) conditions. Overall, no difference was observed between terrestrial and ISS samples. Most cultures presented lower cell viability after the test, regardless of the type of exposure, indicating a harsher effect of the storage and sample preparation than the spaceflight itself. Postmission analysis revealed the successful survival and proliferation of all cultures except for Arthrospira, which suffered from the premission depressurization test. These observations validate the possibility of launching, storing, and reactivating bacteria with essential functionalities for microbial bioprocesses in RLSS. |
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000475278300001 |
Publication Date |
2019-06-04 |
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1557-8070; 1531-1074 |
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UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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no |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:161342 |
Serial |
8456 |
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Author |
Ilgrande, C.; Leroy, B.; Wattiez, R.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N.; Clauwaert, P. |
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Title |
Metabolic and proteomic responses to salinity in synthetic nitrifying communities of Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrobacter spp |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Frontiers in microbiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
9 |
Issue |
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Pages |
2914 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
Typically, nitrification is a two-stage microbial process and is key in wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery from waste streams. Changes in salinity represent a major stress factor that can trigger response mechanisms, impacting the activity and the physiology of bacteria. Despite its pivotal biotechnological role, little information is available on the specific response of nitrifying bacteria to varying levels of salinity. In this study, synthetic communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB Nitrosomonas europaea and/or Nitrosomonas ureae) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB Nitrobacter winogradskyi and/or Nitrobacter vulgaris) were tested at 5, 10, and 30 mS cm-1 by adding sodium chloride to the mineral medium (0, 40, and 200 mM NaCl, respectively). Ammonia oxidation activity was less affected by salinity than nitrite oxidation. AOB, on their own or in combination with NOB, showed no significant difference in the ammonia oxidation rate among the three conditions. However, N. winogradskyi improved the absolute ammonia oxidation rate of both N. europaea and N. ureae. N. winogradskyis nitrite oxidation rate decreased to 42% residual activity upon exposure to 30 mS cm-1, also showing a similar behavior when tested with Nitrosomonas spp. The nitrite oxidation rate of N. vulgaris, as a single species, was not affected when adding sodium chloride up to 30 mS cm-1, however, its activity was completely inhibited when combined with Nitrosomonas spp. in the presence of ammonium/ammonia. The proteomic analysis of a co-culture of N. europaea and N. winogradskyi revealed the production of osmolytes, regulation of cell permeability and an oxidative stress response in N. europaea and an oxidative stress response in N. winogradskyi, as a result of increasing the salt concentration from 5 to 30 mS cm-1. A specific metabolic response observed in N. europaea suggests the role of carbon metabolism in the production of reducing power, possibly to meet the energy demands of the stress response mechanisms, induced by high salinity. For the first time, metabolic modifications and response mechanisms caused by the exposure to salinity were described, serving as a tool toward controllability and predictability of nitrifying systems exposed to salt fluctuations. |
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000451903700001 |
Publication Date |
2018-11-30 |
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ISSN |
1664-302x |
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UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:155237 |
Serial |
8217 |
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Author |
Lindeboom, R.E.F.; Ilgrande, C.; Carvajal-Arroyo, J.M.; Coninx, I.; Van Hoey, O.; Roume, H.; Morozova, J.; Udert, K.M.; Sas, B.; Paille, C.; Lasseur, C.; Ilyin, V.; Clauwaert, P.; Leys, N.; Vlaeminck, S.E. |
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Title |
Nitrogen cycle microorganisms can be reactivated after Space exposure |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Scientific reports |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
8 |
Issue |
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Pages |
13783 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
Long-term human Space missions depend on regenerative life support systems (RLSS) to produce food, water and oxygen from waste and metabolic products. Microbial biotechnology is efficient for nitrogen conversion, with nitrate or nitrogen gas as desirable products. A prerequisite to bioreactor operation in Space is the feasibility to reactivate cells exposed to microgravity and radiation. In this study, microorganisms capable of essential nitrogen cycle conversions were sent on a 44-days FOTON-M4 flight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and exposed to 10(-3)-10(-4) g (gravitational constant) and 687 +/- 170 mu Gy (Gray) d(-1) (20 +/- 4 degrees C), about the double of the radiation prevailing in the International Space Station (ISS). After return to Earth, axenic cultures, defined and reactor communities of ureolytic bacteria, ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria, nitrite oxidizing bacteria, denitrifiers and anammox bacteria could all be reactivated. Space exposure generally yielded similar or even higher nitrogen conversion rates as terrestrial preservation at a similar temperature, while terrestrial storage at 4 degrees C mostly resulted in the highest rates. Refrigerated Space exposure is proposed as a strategy to maximize the reactivation potential. For the first time, the combined potential of ureolysis, nitritation, nitratation, denitrification (nitrate reducing activity) and anammox is demonstrated as key enabler for resource recovery in human Space exploration. |
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000444501200063 |
Publication Date |
2018-09-07 |
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2045-2322 |
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UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:153641 |
Serial |
8309 |
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Clauwaert, P.; Muys, M.; Alloul, A.; De Paepe, J.; Luther, A.; Sun, X.; Ilgrande, C.; Christiaens, M.E.R.; Hu, X.; Zhang, D.; Lindeboom, R.E.F.; Sas, B.; Rabaey, K.; Boon, N.; Ronsse, F.; Geelen, D.; Vlaeminck, S.E. |
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Title |
Nitrogen cycling in bioregenerative life support systems : challenges for waste refinery and food production processes |
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A1 Journal article |
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Year |
2017 |
Publication |
Progress in aerospace sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
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91 |
Issue |
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Pages |
87-98 |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
In order to sustain human life in an isolated environment, an efficient conversion of wasted nutrients to food might become mandatory. This is particularly the case for space missions where resupply from earth or in-situ resource utilization is not possible or desirable. A combination of different technologies is needed to allow full recycling of e.g. nitrogenous compounds in space. In this review, an overview is given of the different essential processes and technologies that enable closure of the nitrogen cycle in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS). Firstly, a set of biological and physicochemical refinery stages ensures efficient conversion of waste products into the building blocks, followed by the production of food with a range of biological methods. For each technology, bottlenecks are identified. Furthermore, challenges and outlooks are presented at the integrated system level. Space adaptation and integration deserve key attention to enable the recovery of nitrogen for the production of nutritional food in space, but also in closed loop systems on earth. |
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000404699800005 |
Publication Date |
2017-05-04 |
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ISSN |
0376-0421; 1873-1724 |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
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Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:148996 |
Serial |
8310 |
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Author |
Ilgrande, C.; Christiaens, M.; Clauwaert, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Boon, N. |
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Title |
Can nitrification bring us to Mars? The role of microbial interactions on nitrogen recovery in Life Support Systems |
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A2 Journal article |
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Year |
2016 |
Publication |
Communications in agricultural and applied biological sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
81 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
74-79 |
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Keywords |
A2 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
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Abstract |
The development cost-effective life support technologies is a highly relevant topic for space biology. Currently, food and water supply during space flights is currently restricted by technical and economic constraints: daily water consumption of an average crew of 6 members is about 72 L, with an estimated cost of 2,160,000 d-1. To reduce these costs and sustain long term space missions, the European Space Agency designed MELiSSA, an artificial ecosystem based on 5 compartments for the recycling gas, liquid and solid waste (Lasseur et al., 2011). In the CI stage, crew and inedible solid waste is fermented by thermophilic anaerobic bacteria, producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs), CO2 and ammonium (NH4+). In the CII compartment the VFAs are converted into edible biomass, using the photoheterotroph Rodospirillum rubrum. Afterwards, the nitrifying CIII unit converts toxic levels of ammonia/ammonium into nitrate, which enables the effluent to be fed to the photoautotrohopic CIV stage, that provides food and oxygen for the crew (Godia et al., 2002). The highest nitrogen flux in a Life Support System is human urine. As nitrate is the preferred form of nitrogen fertilizer for hydroponic plant cultivation, urine nitrification is an essential process in the MELiSSA loop. The development of the Additional Unit for Water Treatment or Urine NItrification ConsortiUM (UNICUM) requires the selection and characterization of the microorganisms that will be used. The key microorganisms in the biological treatment of urine are heterotrophs, for the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB), for the ammonia oxidation into nitrite and Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria (NOB), for the conversion of nitrite into nitrate. The strains were selected according to predefined safety (non sporogenic and BSL 1) and metabolic (Ks, μmax) criteria. To evaluate functional consortia for space applications, ureolysis, nitritation and nitratation of the selected microorganisms and synthetic communities were elucidated. Additionally, urine is a matrix with a high salt content. Unhydrolised urine's EC ranges from 1.1 to 33.9 mS/cm, the mean value being 21.5 mS/cm (Marickar, 2010), while hydrolysed urine can reach higher levels, up to 75 mS/cm. This conditions could inhibit microbial metabolism, therefore the effect of salinity on urine nitrification was also elucidated. |
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1379-1176 |
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UA @ admin @ c:irua:151151 |
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7573 |
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