Description

Some of the biggest names in the food industry are invested in research into probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods and their roles in human health. It is also big business, with consumers on Earth increasingly buying foods labeled with selected microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) or fermented foods. For instance the global fermented foods and ingredients market is pegged at about 700 Billion US$, and growing. While some strains of food microorganisms have been sent into space and retrieved to check for their viability, for any radiation-induced changes, etc, many probiotic strains remain to be tested. Another interesting topic is how gut colonization by microorganisms may change over the course of a stay in space, or whether the complex interactions between coexisting strains in the gut may shift the balance towards certain strains. Can fermented foods play a role in wellness or deserve inclusion in astronaut diets? Many other experiments are also possible. I suggest seeking sponsorships from health food and dairy manufacturers, as well as retail chains interested in joining the conversation on health foods and probiotics. Danone, Nestle immediately come to mind, as also niche players like Chobani. Here's a page that lists more names: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_food_companies#Germany