Accession Number:

AD0701861

Title:

THE MICROBIOLOGICAL WHOLESOMENESS OF SPACE FOODS

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY NATICK LABS MA FOOD LAB

Personal Author(s):

• El-Bisi, Hamed M.
• Powers, Edmund M.

Report Date:

1969-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

38.0

Abstract:

The microbiological requirements for space foods were established in 1964 to safeguard the health of the astronauts during a space mission. These requirements are the total aerobic plate count shall not exceed 10,000 per gram the total coliform count shall not exceed 10 per gram the fecal coliforms shall be negative in one gram the fecal streptococci shall not exceed 20 per gram the coagulase positive staphylococci shall be negative in five grams and the Salmonellae shall be negative in ten grams of food. During 1967 and 1968, 88 per cent of the space foods tested had total plate counts of less than 10,000 per gram 96 percent had less than 10 coliforms per gram and 99 percent were negative for fecal coliforms 86 percent has less than 20 streptococci per gram and 100 percent were negative for staphylococci and Salmonellae. This report discusses the scientific and technical rationale behind these microbiological requirements. These requirements and the methodology prescribed for determining compliance therewith are documented. Both are under continued review and amendment, in keeping with up-to-date scientific knowledge and technical experience.

Descriptors:

• *FOOD
• *MICROORGANISMS
• *SPACE CREWS
• BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
• RESISTANCE(BIOLOGY)
• SALMONELLA
• SPACE BIOLOGY
• STANDARDS
• STAPHYLOCOCCUS
• STREPTOCOCCUS
• STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY)

Subject Categories:

• Food, Food Service and Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Life Support Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE