 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NASA Helps Wipe Away Worries About Germs
Troy MI (SPX) Sep 21, 2007 Fresh fruits and vegetables have been in demand by orbiting astronauts since the early days of the space shuttle. But fresh produce can create a queasy bouquet in a closed space environment as it ages past its prime. NASA has helped develop a product that thoroughly cleanses fruits and vegetables being sent into space, helping to increase their shelf life. Meanwhile, this product is ripe for the picking for consumers on Earth. NASA teamed with Microcide, Inc., of Troy, Michigan, to develop a nontoxic, biodegradable, microbicidal product to disinfect fresh fruit and vegetables for Space Shuttle crews. The product -- PRO-SAN -- is safe, stable and biodegradable for use in space. To offset the challenges of zero gravity, NASA and Microcide created the powder concentrate as a water-soluble package. Once dropped in water, the packet dissolves and creates a ready-to-use sanitizer. The sanitizer is also available on Earth to keep produce safe from harmful foodborne bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, listeria, cholera, shigella, staphylococcus and streptococcus. It has the power to kill 100 million bacteria in 30 seconds, with 99.999-percent efficiency, according to tests. The treated fruits and vegetables maintain their original taste and flavor, and even their natural colors are enhanced -- all without leaving behind an unwanted film or residue. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the sanitizer can be used on counter tops, cutting boards, dishes, utensils, forks, knives and sinks. This makes it ideal for use in hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, dormitories, restaurants and offices. As an added bonus, the sanitizer lacks volatile organic compounds, so it doesn't pollute the air in homes and kitchens. Since these same chemicals can be a major contributing factor to ozone pollution, NASA's solution for keeping veggies "cleaner and greener" may also be a "green" solution for the environment. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
Call For More Vital Role For University Of Leicester In Space Exploration
Leicester, UK (SPX) Sep 21, 2007As one of the UK's leading university centres of space research, the University of Leicester is expected to play a more vital role in human and robotic space exploration if the findings of a review of UK national space policy are adopted. The review, held at the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) in York on 13th September, follows a nine month investigation by 23 independent scientists, industrialists and educators from around the country. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
