ISS Biomining Experiment Reveals Fungi and Bacteria Can Effectively Extract Platinum Group Metals in Microgravity

Fungi and bacteria on the ISS have successfully extracted platinum from meteorites. See how biomining will make deep-space exploration sustainable.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 28, 2026, 8:36 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Sci.News

The Dawn of Extraterrestrial Biomining

As humanity transitions from short-term orbital missions to long-duration deep-space exploration, the logistical burden of resupplying resources from Earth has become a primary bottleneck. To address this, the BioAsteroid project has turned to the natural world for a solution: biomining. This process involves using specialized microorganisms to break down rock and extract valuable metals. In a first-of-its-kind experiment conducted on the International Space Station (ISS), researchers tested how these biological systems perform in the absence of gravity, specifically targeting L-chondrite asteroidal material—a type of meteorite rich in precious elements like platinum and palladium.

Microbial Candidates for Space Industry

The study focused on two distinct species with proven terrestrial track records: the bacterium Sphingomonas desiccabilis and the fungus Penicillium simplicissimum. These organisms are particularly adept at resource extraction because they secrete carboxylic acids. These carbon-based molecules function by attaching to mineral surfaces through a process called complexation, which triggers the chemical release of metal ions from the solid rock. By deploying these two "completely different species," the research team, led by Professor Charles Cockell of the University of Edinburgh, sought to determine if their metabolic strategies would remain effective in the challenging environment of low-Earth orbit.

Metabolic Adaptations in Microgravity

The results of the metabolomic analysis revealed that the space environment significantly altered microbial behavior, particularly in the fungal samples. In microgravity, Penicillium simplicissimum increased its production of secondary metabolites, including the critical carboxylic acids required for leaching. This metabolic shift resulted in the enhanced release of rare metals such as palladium and platinum. Dr. Rosa Santomartino noted that while non-biological leaching (the natural breakdown of rock in liquid) was markedly less effective in space than on Earth, the presence of microbes provided a "steady level" of extraction regardless of the gravitational condition.