[Rapid indication of microbiological damage and biodegradation of structural materials in space vehicles]

The study was undertaken to design a kit of indicators for rapid detection and group identification of microbes causing biological damages to the materials. Indication is accomplished by dropwise colorimetric reaction for which modified chromatographic materials serve as substrates. Reactions are made by the indicators whose design allows reagents and samples to be measured on board space vehicles. The designed kit of indicators detects microorganisms, biodegrade products, and identifies them by groups: vegetative or spore-forming bacteria, and lower fungi. The paper considers the characteristics of colorimetric reactions and an algorithm of group identification of microbes by the respective combination of positive and negative results of the reactions. It also presents data on the sensitivity levels of tests provided by the kit, which were obtained from laboratory and field ground tests.