ISS has discovered over one hundred species of bacteria, fungi and yeast
MOSCOW, 18 Jul — RIA Novosti. Scientists of Institute mediko-biological problems (IBMP) of RAS found in the samples brought from the International space station, more than 100 species of microorganisms, including bacteria, constantly living on the mucous membranes and the skin of the person, and fungi, which damage materials.
“Just the environment of the ISS was discovered more than 100 species of microorganisms, including 66 species of bacteria and 34 species of fungi (the latter 2 types of yeast, and 2 yeasts),” reads the abstract of the report of the IBMP, was published on the website academic readings on cosmonautics (the”Royal readings”), which will be held from 29 January to 1 February in Moscow.
The report notes that the ISS routinely performed microbiological control state of the air environment and surfaces of the interior and equipment of the crew compartments, and to the present time selected from about 1500 samples.
Among the bacteria in them was dominated by the permanent inhabitants of the mucous membranes and the skin people — representatives of the genera Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus. In addition, in the environment of the ISS often found spore-forming bacteria of the genus Bacillus, and gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria.
According to IMBP, fungi in the environment of the ISS varies considerably. The most widely represented in the samples of micromycetes of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Cladosporium.
“These microorganisms are heterotrophs, able to actively develop polymeric materials of natural and artificial origin, causing damage to deserve serious consideration in relation to possible ecological expansion in a confined volume of long-acting space object”, — underlined in the report.