Astronauts could soon be eating moon hummus, study suggests

Astronauts may soon be eating homegrown chickpeas on the moon, scientists say, after they successfully grew the crop in simulated moon dirt.

Researchers at Texas A&M University managed to produce a batch of the legumes in imitated lunar regolith – the nutrient-poor dust that covers 75 per cent of the moon’s surface.

They said the study suggests astronauts may be able to grow and eat their own chickpeas in space, rather than relying on expensive supply missions from earth. But the crop is still undergoing testing to ensure it is safe to eat.

It comes as the US plans to send astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time in more than 50 years through its Artemis mission.

“The research is about understanding the viability of growing crops on the moon,” said the study’s principal investigator Sara Santos. “How do we transform this regolith into soil? What kinds of natural mechanisms can cause this conversion?”

For their study, the researchers used simulated moon dirt that models the composition of lunar samples brought back by Apollo astronauts.

The team then added vermicompost, a byproduct of red wiggler earthworms that’s rich in essential plant nutrients and minerals and has a diverse microbiome.

They coated the Myles variety of the desi chickpea with fungi arbuscular mycorrhizae , a helpful type of microorganism, before planting. The fungi and chickpeas work symbiotically, with the fungi taking up some essential nutrients needed for growth while reducing the uptake of heavy metals.

The researchers found that mixtures of up to 75 per cent moon dirt successfully produced harvestable chickpeas. However, any higher percentage of moon dirt caused issues, with the plants showing signs of stress and early death.

But while the crop was a successful harvest, scientists still need to establish whether they are safe for human consumption.

"We want to understand their feasibility as a food source,” said Jessica Atkin, the first author on the paper and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University.

“How healthy are they? Do they have the nutrients astronauts need? If they aren’t safe to eat, how many generations until they are?”

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