Overview
- A peer‑reviewed PLOS One study reports that a Bengaluru isolate of Sporosarcina pasteurii formed stronger biocemented bricks from Martian soil simulants when perchlorate was included.
- The bacterium binds soil by precipitating calcium carbonate from urea and calcium, with guar gum serving as an essential adhesive in the mixture.
- Perchlorate—detected on Mars at up to about 1%—slowed growth and stressed the cells, which became more circular, clumped, and released more extracellular matrix.
- Electron microscopy showed increased calcium‑based precipitates and ECM “microbridges,” and the strength gain appeared only when guar gum and a nickel chloride catalyst were present.
- The work, led by IISc with IISER Kolkata and co‑authored by ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, outlines in‑situ construction prospects for roads, pads, and habitats, though results are limited to Earth‑lab tests.