Light pulses could boost space veggies’ nutrition

BOULDER – University of Colorado researchers are studying the effects of light pulses on the growth and nutrition retention of plants to be consumed by astronauts during space flight.

Specifically, the research group is using different methodologies to grow plants rapidly and trigger the retention of certain carotenoids, specifically zeaxanthin, which are important to protect human vision from the exposure of low-level radiation during long-duration manned spaceflight missions.

According to a NASA research study, one of the main problems for astronauts traveling on long-duration space flight is the exposure to ionizing radiation and the consequent oxidative stress, which can harm the retina.

Gioia…