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Experiment 9: ASTROCULTURE: Growth and Starch Accumulation of Potato TuberPotato explants (leaf, small stem section, and axillary bud) flown on STS-73 developed tubers of 1.5 cm diameter and 1.7 g mass during the 16-day period of space flight. The experiment was undertaken in the ASTROCULTURE(TM) experiment package under controlled temperature, humidity, lighting, and carbon dioxide concentrations. The tubers that formed in the explant system under microgravity had the same gross morphology, the same anatomical configuration of cells and tissues, and the same sizes, shapes, and surface character of starch granules as tubers formed in a 1 g environment. The total accumulation of starch and other energy containing compounds was similar in space flight and ground control tubers. Enzyme activity of starch synthase, starch phosphorylase, and total hydrolase was similar in space flight and ground controls, but activity of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was reduced in the space flight tuber tissue. This experiment documented that potatoes will metabolize and accumulate starch as effectively in space flight as on the ground. Thus, this data provides the potential for effective utilization of potatoes in life support systems of space bases.
Document ID
19990018877
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Tibbitts, Theodore W.
(Wisconsin Univ. Madison, WI United States)
Brown, Christopher S.
(Dynamac Corp. Durham, NC United States)
Croxdale, Judith G.
(Wisconsin Univ. Madison, WI United States)
Wheeler, Raymond M.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Second United States Microgravity Laboratory: One Year Report
Volume: 1
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS10-12180
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-4022
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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