1SESIP Program-Texas Southern University Houston, TX 77004 2Faculty Fellows Program-Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 50011 3NASA Johnson Space Center Food Laboratory Houston, TX 77058
Abstract
In the year 2030, NASA plans to venture out to Mars. While on this long mission, the astronauts will have to eat. To lower cargo weight on the spaceship, NASA plans to have the astronauts grow crops on Mars and use that as their food supply. Soybeans are one of the crops that NASA is considering to take to Mars. From the soybeans, soymilk, tofu, and other soy byproducts can be made. During space flight, radiation exposure may cause the soybeans to not behave in the same manner. Two cultivars of soybeans (Vinton 81 and IA2032LS) were studied with varied amounts of radiation. The tofu, okara, and whey were analyzed for texture, color, moisture, and pH. Radiation does have an effect on soy-food characteristics. Also, the type of cultivar that is used has an effect on soy-food yields, sensory, and process characteristics.