Microbial Detection and Quantification of Low-Biomass Water Samples Using an International Space Station Smart Sample Concentrator

The pressing need to safeguard the health of astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) necessitates constant and rigorous microbial monitoring. Recognizing the shortcomings of traditional culture-based methods, NASA is deliberating the incorporation of molecular-based techniques. The challenge, however, lies in developing and validating effective methods for concentrating samples to facilitate this transition. This study is dedicated to investigating the potential of an ISS Smart Sample Concentrator (iSSC) as an innovative concentration method. First, the iSSC system and its components were tested and optimized for microgravity, including various testing environments: a drop tower, parabolic flight, and the ISS itself. Upon confirming the system’s compatibility with microgravity, we further evaluated its proficiency and reliability in concentrating large volumes (i.e., 1 L) of water samples inoculated with different microbes. The samples carried 10(2) to 10(5) colony-forming units (CFUs) of Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Ralstonia pickettii, or Cupriavidus basilensis per liter, aligning with NASA’s acceptable limit of 5 × 10(4) CFU/L. The average retrieved volume post-concentration was ≈450 µL, yielding samples that were ≈2200 times more concentrated for subsequent quantitative PCR (qPCR) and CFU analysis. The average microbial percent recovery, as assessed with CFU counts, demonstrated consistency for C. basilensis and R. pickettii at around 50% and 45%, respectively. For S. paucimobilis, the efficiency oscillated between 40% and 80%. Interestingly, when we examined microbial recovery using qPCR, the results showed more variability across all tested species. The significance of these findings lies not merely in the successful validation of the iSSC but also in the system’s proven consistency, as evidenced by its alignment with previous validation-phase results. In conclusion, conducted research underscored the potential of the iSSC in monitoring microbial contamination in potable water aboard the ISS, heralding a paradigm shift from culture-based to molecular-based monitoring methods.