Station Science Top News: Nov. 15, 2024

Anthocyanins protect seeds in space

After exposure to space outside the International Space Station, purple-pigmented rice seeds rich in anthocyanin had higher germination rates than non-pigmented white rice seeds. This result suggests that anthocyanin, a flavonoid known to protect plants from UV irradiation, could help preserve seed viability on future space missions.

Plants are key components for systems being designed to produce nutrients and recycle carbon for future sustained space habitation...