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Nutrient Stability in NASA Spaceflight Experiment Rodent Food Bars
Janani Iyer1,2,3, Tyler S Marsh2,3, Ryan J Fisher3
1Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 8, 2025
Summary
The Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bar (NuRFB) maintains nutritional stability for space missions. Shelf-life assessments confirm adequate vitamin levels and minimal lipid oxidation, ensuring rodent health during long-duration spaceflight.
Area of Science:
- Space biology
- Nutritional science
- Food science
Background:
- The Nutrient-upgraded Rodent Food Bar (NuRFB) is the standard diet for mice in NASA's spaceflight research.
- Spaceflight necessitates understanding the long-term stability of essential rodent diets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the shelf-life and nutritional stability of NuRFBs.
- To evaluate the impact of storage conditions (refrigerated, ambient) and time (0-27 months) on nutrient content and lipid oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Nutritional analysis using AOAC International methods.
- Assessment of lipid oxidation markers.
- Quantification of fat- and water-soluble vitamins.
Main Results:
- All vitamin levels remained above National Research Council (NRC) minimum requirements throughout the study.
- Minor decreases in Vitamin D and slight fluctuations in riboflavin were observed.
- Thiamine levels were higher in refrigerated samples, but all met NRC guidelines.
- Minimal lipid oxidation occurred up to 18 months; no microbial growth was detected.
Conclusions:
- NuRFBs demonstrate stable nutritional profiles under various storage conditions relevant to spaceflight.
- The food bars provide adequate nutrition for rodents during long-duration space missions.
- This research supports the continued use of NuRFBs for NASA's Rodent Research Project.
