Space microbiology--lethality, mutagenicity and cytological effects of terrestrial microorganisms by irradiation of cosmic proton under simulated space condition.

Abstract

We have been discussing in connection with a space quarantine. The subject is not merely an academic problem, but it contains a fundamental problem which avoid the contamination of other planets by terrestrial microflora. The space environments in the solar system were simulated by using an apparatus of cryostat (low temperature of 110-310K, high vacuum of 1 x 10(-8) torr) and proton irradiation from the Van de Graaff generator. After exposure to a barrage of protons corresponding to about 250 years in solar space, Tobacco mosaic virus, Bacillus subtilis spore, Staphylococcus aureus. Micrococcusflavus, Clostridium mangenoti spore and Aspergillus niger spore showed considerably high survival rates. Furthermore, it was found firstly that an irradiation of proton induced considerable mutation frequency compared to that of spontaneous and caused also the cytological effects based on a damage of chromosome.