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Fungi and Mycotoxins in Space-A Review

Gilke De Middeleer1, Natalie Leys2, Benedikt Sas3

  • 11Laboratory of Food Analysis, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Astrobiology
|April 12, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Fungi inhabit space stations, posing potential risks due to mycotoxin production. Further research is crucial to understand and mitigate these space-borne fungal threats.

Area of Science:

  • Space Biology
  • Mycology
  • Astrobiology

Background:

  • Fungi are found in terrestrial environments and have colonized spacecraft and space stations.
  • Several fungal species identified in space, including Aspergillus flavus and Alternaria sp., are known to be mycotoxigenic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of fungal species in space.
  • To review detection methods for space-borne fungi.
  • To discuss current and future prevention and control strategies for fungi in space.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on fungi in space.
  • Analysis of fungal species identified and their characteristics.
  • Evaluation of detection, prevention, and control strategies.

Main Results:

  • A diverse range of fungal species has been detected in space environments.
  • Identified fungi include potentially mycotoxigenic species like Aspergillus flavus.
  • Current fungal loads may be non-alarming, but risks associated with mycotoxin production are underestimated.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of mycotoxigenic fungi in space warrants attention despite low fungal loads.
  • The impact of the space environment on mycotoxin production requires significant investigation.
  • Prioritizing detection and monitoring systems for fungi and mycotoxins in space is recommended.
Keywords:
Biosafety monitoringFungiInternational Space StationMirMycotoxinsSpace

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