Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41387966›Full record

ArticleNPJ microgravity2025

Superfood potential of Chlorella vulgaris: productivity and antioxidant boost under simulated moon and microgravity conditions.

Giacomo Fais, Filippo Ghiani, Debora Dessì, Mattia Casula, Giovanni Perra, Eleonora Torchia, Nicola Lai, Giacomo Cao, Alessandro Concas

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in NPJ microgravity, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Giacomo FaisInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. giacomo.fais@unica.it.
Filippo GhianiInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Debora DessìDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Mattia CasulaDepartment of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Giovanni PerraInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Eleonora TorchiaInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Nicola LaiInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Giacomo CaoInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Alessandro ConcasInterdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. alessandro.concas@unica.it.

Funding

eINS-Ecosystem of Innovation for Next Generation Sardinia (cod. ECS 00000038) funded by the Italian Ministry for Research and Education (MUR) under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) - MISSION 4 COMPONENT 2, "From research to business" INVESTMENT 1.5, "Creation and strengthening of Ecosystems of innovation" and construction of "Territorial R&D Leaders". ECS 00000038
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

As space missions extend to the Moon and beyond, Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) are vital for food, oxygen, and resource recycling in closed habitats. We examined the physiological, biochemical, and lipidomic responses of Chlorella vulgaris (CCALA 269) grown under simulated Earth gravity (1 g), Moon gravity (0.17 g), and microgravity (μg) using a 3D clinostat. Reduced gravity was associated with higher biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant capacity. Cultures under lunar and microgravity showed up to 170% more chlorophyll and carotenoids, and 160% more polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Lipidomics revealed membrane remodeling, with higher galactolipids and triacylglycerols, suggesting adaptations to preserve membrane function and energy reserves. These responses indicate substantial physiological plasticity in C. vulgaris, suggesting its potential relevance for BLSS as a source of nutrient-rich biomass, oxygen, and antioxidants. Our results suggest its potential for space food and life support, and the need for further research under real partial gravity conditions.

Identifiers

PMID41387966
PMCPMC12800078

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.