back to article Bacterial byproducts may help stop the stink in future spacesuits

European space researchers are turning to an interesting place to find new antimicrobial coatings to keep the insides of future space suits from becoming stinky, bacteria-laden biohazards: the bacteria themselves. Everyone who's had to keep a kitchen or bathtub clean is familiar with prodigiosin - it's the pink gunk produced …

  1. spold Silver badge

    But I'm sorry, they still didn't survive....

    ....died of a fart attack.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: But I'm sorry, they still didn't survive....

      You remind me of that most excellent Heinz ad.

      :)

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    WTF?

    > is familiar with prodigiosin - it's the pink gunk produced by bacteria that dirties up surfaces and bathroom grouting

    I've never seen any pink gunk. Gunk yes, but no pink gunk. (And no, my color perception is normal.)

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: WTF?

      Maybe the author's colour perception was off after seeing the Barbie movie?

      :)

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: WTF?

        Ah, so that's what he calls "pink gunk"...

    2. Spoobistle
      Boffin

      Pink stuff

      Depends on your local water supply and probably your cleaning regime what grows on your surfaces. The pink stuff is produced by (the Bacterium Formerly Known As) Serratia marcescens, which is an occasional pathogen, so I can see an allergy problem coming up here if you start putting it on your skin.

      Think I'll wait for space travel to get to Business Class comfort rather than Backpacker before I sign up!

    3. Is there anybody out there?

      Re: WTF?

      Lucky you! I'll send you some :)

  3. Arthur the cat Silver badge
    Joke

    Old fashioned ways are the best

    in habitats on the Moon or beyond, washing spacesuit interiors on a consistent basis may well not be practical

    Put them outside to air(*) in the sun?

    (*) FSVO "air"

    1. very angry man

      Re: Old fashioned ways are the best

      Actually yes!

      I don't understand why human just want to destroy.

      Why not just adjust the bacterium to one's that doesn't smell? That consume skin waste .

      EM1 readaly available, cheap, you can get it from the hardware store. Put in the water supply, no more BO , drink the water and after a Wail even your farts stop smelling so bad, have done this, it works

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I have nothing to offer you but

    radiation, moondust and sweat --- Winston Churchill

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