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Qualification of Membrane Filtration for Planetary Protection Flight Implementation
Kristina Vaikovna Stott1, Lyssa Morgan1, Caitlin Shearer2
1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|May 16, 2022
Summary
Planetary protection sampling methods were improved by investigating membrane filtration as an alternative to the lengthy pour-plate method. This new technique reduces data variance and improves bioburden estimation accuracy for spacecraft.
Area of Science:
- Astrobiology and Space Science
- Microbiology and Sterilization Techniques
- Space Mission Assurance
Background:
- Planetary protection protocols are crucial for preventing biological contamination of celestial bodies and Earth.
- Current NASA Standard Assay for spacecraft bioburden relies on pour-plate methods, which are time-consuming and introduce significant data variance.
- Limitations in current methods stem from laborious steps and the need for extrapolation factors due to small sample volumes being plated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate membrane filtration as a more efficient and accurate alternative to the traditional pour-plate method for planetary protection bioburden analysis.
- To determine the equivalency of membrane filtration to the established pour-plate methodology within the NASA Standard Assay framework.
- To assess the suitability of specific membrane filtration systems (Pall® Laboratory Manifold and Milliflex® Plus Vacuum Pump) for spaceflight applications.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated membrane filtration technique for microbial cell extraction from spacecraft wipe and swab samples.
- Compared results obtained from membrane filtration against the existing pour-plate method (NASA Standard Assay).
- Collected and analyzed experimental data from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Applied Physics Laboratory to establish method equivalency.
Main Results:
- Membrane filtration processes larger sample volumes, thereby reducing the reliance on and variance associated with pour fraction extrapolation factors.
- Experimental data demonstrated that membrane filtration is equivalent to the pour-plate method for bioburden enumeration.
- Both Pall® Laboratory Manifold and Milliflex® Plus Vacuum Pump systems showed comparable performance to the pour-plate method.
Conclusions:
- Membrane filtration offers a viable and improved alternative to current pour-plate techniques for planetary protection bioburden assessments.
- The adoption of membrane filtration can lead to more precise spore bioburden estimations for spacecraft hardware.
- This methodology enhancement supports more robust and efficient compliance with planetary protection requirements for space exploration.
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