Bacterial Cellulose Production in Space

Abstract

Cellulose is a useful polymer for human life. Therefore, its production in space will be necessary to support human habitation in the near future. In this paper, we studied the protocol and culture vessels for bacterial cellulose production in space using Komagataeibacter, as it is the most convenient method to produce cellulose in space. Since aerobic respiration is required for the cellulose production, we developed new gas-permeable culture vessels that can be used in the International Space Station (ISS). The bacterial cells were cultured on the ISS under microgravity and bacterial cellulose was successfully produced. This study shows that cellulose pellicle formation by Komagataeibacter is free from antigravitaxis and cellulose production is possible under the microgravity.