November 01, 2023
In a study conducted by scientists from Mahidol University, Thailand, it was found that watermeal, which is the world’s smallest flowering plant, could be used as a source of oxygen and food for astronauts on space missions. The study was carried out at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) located in the Netherlands. Scientists exposed watermeal to gravity that was 20 times the Earth’s normal gravity, using ESA’s Large Diameter Centrifuge, allowing them to understand the effect of hypergravity on the growth of the plants. As the plant does not have leaves, stems and roots, scientists were easily able to study the response of the plant with respect to changes in the levels of gravity. Watermeal is a good source of protein and an efficient producer of oxygen. It thus has the potential to become an important part of future space exploration missions.
Did You Know?
The watermeal plant is used in the preparation of a variety of dishes including salads and soups in Southeast Asia.
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