METHODOLOGIES FOR PROCESSING PLANT MATERIALS INTO ACCEPTABLEFOOD ON A SMALL SCALE

CHANGES IN PRODUCTION AND HARVESTING TO ACHIEVE SHORTER PRODUCTION CYCLES IN CELSS MAY ENABLE HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF PLANT FRACTIONS NOT TRADITIONALLY EATEN. THESE FRACTIONS MAY IMPROVE NUTRITIONAL BALANCE BY INCREASING FIBER INTAKE. THE PROPOSED PROGRAM WOULD UTILIZE SEARCHES OF AVAILABLE LITERATURE AS WELL AS CONTACTS WITH SCIENTISTS AND TECHNOLOGISTS TO INVESTIGATE PROCESSES FOR THE DIRECT AND/ORINDIRECT USE OF THESE FRACTIONS AS FOOD. EXISTING DATA ON STEM, LEAF, AND ROOT MATERIAL FROM NASA-SELECTED CROPS SUCH AS SOYBEANS, WHEAT, AND POTATO WOULD BE EXAMINED TO ASSESS POTENTIAL NUTRITIONAL CONTRIBUTION, FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES, AND UNDESIRABLE FEATURES SUCH AS OFF-FLAVORS, FLATULENCE PRODUCTION, AND TOXIC REACTIONS. PROCESSES CONSIDERED MAY INCLUDE ENZYME DIGESTION, EXTRACTION, HYDROLYSIS, AND FERMENTATION AS WELL AS PHYSICAL TREATMENTS SUCH AS HEATING, STEAM-STRIPPING, AND DEHYDRATION. EVALUATION WOULD BE BASED ON POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE ACCEPTANCE, DIGESTIBILITY, FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES, NUTRITIONAL VALUE, AND VERSATILITY. FOR SELECTED PROCESSED,PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES WOULD BE MADE OF EQUIPMENT, ENERGY, AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS. THE PHASE I REPORT WOULD INCLUDE DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PROCESSED AND PRODUCTS CONSIDERED, WITH EMPHASIS ON THOSE PROCESSED APPEARING MOST PROMISING. LABORATORY EVALUATION OF SELECTED PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASE II.