[ad_1]
This is a “vegetarian salad” designed by ACS Food Science and Technology researchers for male astronauts who go on long-term space missions. The “Perfect Space Mile” is designed as space agencies planning longer missions overcome the “challenge”. How to give people the best food, according to a statement from the American Chemical Society.
This means that this food can also be grown in space. “Now, researchers reporting in ACS Food Science & Technology have designed the optimal ‘space food’: a delicious vegetarian salad,” the statement said. They chose fresh ingredients that met the special nutritional needs of male astronauts. And can be grown in space.”
The researchers plan to see in the future what options their computer model offers for female astronauts and expand the diversity of crops in their database.
Also read: Here’s why NASA relaunches spacecraft to study ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid Apophis
Why is there a need for a ‘perfect’ space meal?
The American Chemical Society said astronauts in space burn more calories than humans on Earth. “They require additional micronutrients, such as calcium, to remain healthy during prolonged exposure to microgravity,” it says.
Additionally, astronauts are working towards food sustainability in space. Future long-term missions will require growing food in sustainable, circular ways within spacecraft or space colonies.
Also read: From Gaganyaan 1 to Mangalyaan-2, list of ISRO space missions in 2024
“Although researchers have explored ways to grow food in space and understand what nutrients astronauts need to stay healthy, specific fresh food has not been developed,” the statement said.
Therefore, the researchers wanted to “optimize a space food that meets the specific requirements of space flight and tastes good”.
What is ‘tasty’ space food made of?
The researchers found that a vegetarian diet made from soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sweet potatoes and/or sunflower seeds provided the most efficient balance of maximum nutrients and minimal agricultural inputs.
“Although this combination could not provide all the micronutrients needed by an astronaut, those that are missing could be added to the supplement,” the researchers suggest.
Also read: 5 space missions of ISRO are going to start in 2024
To make sure the identified combination was delicious, the team prepared the ideal space food in the form of a salad to test the taste of four people on Earth.
How did they make the best space food?
First, the researchers assessed the combination of fresh ingredients using a method called linear programming. The ACS statement said, “In this case, their model identified how well a combination of different foods could meet the daily nutritional needs of a male astronaut, while maintaining the food required to grow “Can reduce water.”
Also read: Aditya-L1 mission: ISRO says India’s solar mission will meet rendezvous point on January 6. All you need to know
The team also took into account the sustainability of foods in space, selecting ingredients that require less fertilizer, time and area to grow and whether inedible parts can be recycled.
Unlock a world of benefits! From informative newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and personalized newsfeeds – it’s all here, just a click away! log in now!
Catch all business news, market news, breaking news events and latest news updates on Live Mint. Check out all the latest action on Budget 2024 here. Download Mint News app to get daily market updates.
more less
Published: 05 January 2024, 09:06 PM IST
[ad_2]
