[Species composition and microbial contamination of atmospheric humidity condensate and potable water from the Mir water supply systems during Mir main missions 4 through 27].

Analyzed were quantitative and qualitative characteristics, and processes of formation and transformation of microflora in the atmospheric humidity condensate (AHC) and potable water (PW) regenerated from the condensate by the long-operating system (SRV-K) aboard space station Mir. The paper presents data on species composition of microflora of AHC, and PW regenerated by SRV-K in the period from 1989 through to 1999. The following microbial species were identified in AHC: Alcaligenes (14.8%), Bacillus (3.7%), Citrobacter (7.4%), Clostridium (11.1%), Enterobacter (7.4%), Proteus (7.4%), Pseudomonas (18.5%), and Staphylococcus (100%). There were two PW cocks in SRV-K--"hot" and "cold". "Hot" PW microflora included Alcaligenes (15%), Bacillus (5%), Citrobacter (20%), Clostridium (5%), Enterobacter (15%), Proteus (10%), Pseudomonas (15%), and Staphylococcus (75%). "Cold" PW microflora included Aeromonas (14.3%), Alcaligenes (21.4%), Bacillus (7.1%), Citrobacter (7.1%), Clostridium (7.1%), Enterobacter (7.1%), Moraxella (7.1%), Pseudomonas (7.1%), and Staphylococcus (78.5%). Microbial content averaged 8.9 x 10(2) +/- 1.3 (0.01-4) x 10(3) CFU/ml in condensate and 1.5 +/- 0.1 (0-3.0) CFU/ml in regenerated potable water.