Browsing by Author "Kimura, Shunta"
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Item Evaluation of selected materials, as food for space environment(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Tomita-Yokotani, Kaori; Kimura, Yasuko; Kimura, Shunta; Sato, Seigo; Katoh, Hiroshi; Arai, MayumiWe have been studying the useful life-support system in closed bio-ecosystem for production of space food. We have already proposed the several species as food material, cyanobacterium and Japanese cherry tree. The cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp Hk-01, has high tolerances to several space environment. The woody plant materials also have useful utilization elements in our habitation environment and as food material. We have already found their abilities of production of the important functional substances for human. Here, we show their several value, as space foodsItem Local production of All Necessary Materials for Habitation on Extraterrestrial Environment - Utilization of Wood for Habitation on Mars.(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Tomita-Yokotani, Kaori; Ajioka, Reiko; Kimura, Shunta; Suzuki, Toshisada; Katayama, TakeshiIn the study of space agriculture in closed ecosystems, there are three main elements; microorganisms, plants and trees. Trees have several special properties which can be utilized in our environment for food, energy or materials. We have been submitting a proposal about research on woody plants grown under the assumed extraterrestrial environments, like on Mars. Here, we present research related to preparation of structures. Two kinds of regolith can be used as core materials and mixed with woody components. There are several valid ways to utilize woody plants. In this paper, we show the way to prepare the structure of a part of lignin as a first step before the considering growing trees on Mars. Mars has acidic regolith. Lignosulfonate is often used in architecture, civil engineering and construction. The mixture of a kind of regolith and lignosulfonate was strong and hard. We indicated that elements of woody materials, such as lignosulfonates, will be able to be used for hard structures on Mars. Woody materials including the necessary tools in the space craft during trips to Mars from Earth would be able to be used in the next materials. A field of study related to “local production of all necessary materials” will be important for habitation on Mars. This paper is our proposal for research using woody materials.Item Space environmental tolerance of a terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Kimura, Shunta; Tomita-Yokotani, Kaori; Inoue, Kotomi; Sato, Seigo; Arai, Mayumi; Katoh, HiroshiTerrestrial cyanobacteria can be utilized for material circulation as a bio-fertilizer for a manned Mars mission, because of their photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation abilities and drought tolerance. Dried colonies of a terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01, have high tolerances to vacuum, UV, γ-ray, heavy particle beams and dry heat (Kimura et al., 44th ICES, 2014). Nostoc sp. HK-01 would be able to survive under the space environment, and would be transported to Mars easily. Nostoc sp. HK-01 has several different type of cells in their life cycle. Akinete (dormant cell) is the cell type which has a tolerance to dry heat in Nostoc sp. HK-01 (Kimura et al., Biol. Sci. Space, 2015). Some active substance would be exist in the akinete. Here, we will show a candidate active substance related to dry heat tolerance in Nostoc sp. HK-01.Item Tolerance and Growth of a Terrestrial Cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01 Under Harsh Environments(47th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2017-07-16) Kimura, Shunta; Inoue, Kotomi; Katoh, Hiroshi; Ichikawa, Sosaku; Tomita-Yokotani, KaoriTerrestrial cyanobacteria can be utilized for material circulation for a manned Mars mission, because of their photosynthetic ability, nitrogen fixation ability and tolerance to extraterrestrial environments. Dried colonies of a terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01, have high tolerances to vacuum, UV, gamma-rays, heavy particle beams and dry heat. Nostoc sp. HK-01 has several different types of cells in its life cycle. Akinete (dormant cell) is the cell type which has a tolerance to dry heat in Nostoc sp. HK-01. Nostoc sp. HK-01 would be able to survive under in extraterrestrial environments, and could easily be transported to Mars in its dormant state (akinete). Some functional substances which provide tolerance against heat exist in the akinete cells. Before we introduce Nostoc sp. HK-01 to Mars’ environments, we need to understand its growth in an environment with poor nutrition. We tested whether akinetes of HK-01 can grow using components of their dead cells or/and Martian regolith simulant. We will discuss the possibility that a colony of Nostoc sp. HK-01 can be grown in an environment with poor nutrition. Nostoc sp. HK-01 could contribute to soil formation from Martian regolith, so that plants could grow. Nostoc sp. HK-01 is a good candidate for an initial organism to introduce into the Martian environment.Item Utilization of a cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01, under the space environment(44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014-07-13) Kimura, Shunta; Arai, Mayumi; Katoh, Hiroshi; Ajioka, Reiko; Baba, Kei'ichi; Sato, Seigo; Tomita-Yokotani, KaoriA terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01, has several abilities, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and a possibility of usefulness as a food, etc. We have already found that the dried colony of the strain had an ability to live even after the exposure of a high vacuum ( 10-5 Pa ) condition for over three years. In addition of the vacuum tolerance, it could grow on a Martian regulith sumirant over several years. This strain has also further several tolerances to serious environment , VUV ( 172 nm ) , UVC ( 253.7 nm ) and gamma-ray ( 5 kGy ) . The dried colony of Nostoc sp. HK-01 could live for a long term as a dry form, furthermore it has several space environment tolerances. It would be easy to transport them in space. Here, We will propose utilization of a cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. HK-01, under the space environment such as Mars.Item Utilization of the terrestrial cyanobacteria(44th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2014-07-13) Katoh, Hiroshi; Yokoshima, Mika; Kimura, Shunta; Furukawa, Jun; Tomita-Yokotani, Kaori; Yamaguchi, Yuji; Takenaka, HiroyukiThe terrestrial, N2-fixing cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune has expected to utilize for agriculture, food and terraforming cause of its extracellular polysaccharide, desiccation tolerance and nitrogen fixation. Previously, the first author indicated that desiccation related genes were analyzed and the suggested that the genes were related to nitrogen fixation and metabolisms. In this report, we suggest possibility of space-agriculture, using the cyanobacterium. To estimate space-agriculture, we need to discuss the features of cyanobacteria, especially terrestrial cyanobacteria and the utilization. Further, we also found radioactive compounds accumulated N. commune (cyanobacterium) in Fukushima, Japan after nuclear disaster. Thus, it is investigated to decontaminate radioactive compounds from the surface soil by the cyanobacterium and showed to accumulate radioactive compounds using the cyanobacterium. We will discuss utilization of terrestrial cyanobacteria under closed environment.Item Utilization of the terrestrial cyanobacteria -Practical development of the cyanobacteria sheet-(46th International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2016-07-10) Katoh, Hiroshi; Yokoshima, Mika; Kimura, Shunta; Furukawa, Jun; Tomita-Yokotani, Kaori; Yamaguchi, Yuji; Takenaka, Hiroyuki; Kohno, NobuyukiThe terrestrial, N2-fixing cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune has expected to utilize for agriculture, food and terraforming cause of its extracellular polysaccharide, desiccation tolerance and nitrogen fixation. Potential abilities of N. commune were shown previously (Katoh et al. 44th ICES, 2014). To exhibit the potential abilities, the N. commune sheet is made to use convenient and evaluated by plant growth and radioactive accumulation. We will discuss utilization of terrestrial cyanobacteria under closed environment.