Astrobiome®

Astrobiome® has unlocked the untapped potential of microorganisms and developed microbiome-based nutrition and farming solutions that support extra-terrestrial applications. It offers metabolite complexes that amplify the performance of high-capacity individuals like astronauts, enabling them to endure longer space missions. In partnership with the European Space Agency, Astrobiome® is set to embark on a space experiment to validate the efficacy of its solutions in microgravity.

“Our mission is to advance microbiome farming on Earth and beyond, addressing the pressing climate challenges we face,” says Vera Mulyani, CEO and Founder. “This space project is set to boost the effectiveness of our solutions by a factor of ten.”

The unrestrained use of chemical fertilizers in contemporary agricultural practices has significantly depleted soil and food health. Astrobiome® focuses on transitioning agriculture from traditional chemical methods back to natural microbiome farming practices, ensuring that future generations benefit from healthier, more nutrient-rich food.

A New Era in Agriculture, Restoring What’s Lost

Agricultural practices have relied heavily on synthetic fertilizers and industrialized farming methods for generations. However, the increased yields from these methods have come at the cost of depleted soil health and so its cascading effects.

The long-standing dependence on chemicals has impacted the capability of natural microorganisms in the soil to actively absorb nutrients, reproduce and fend off diseases. The result?—Food that looks healthy on the outside but lacks essential micronutrients.

Astrobiome®’s solution to this crisis is the Beyond Organic Biostimulant® (BOB®), launched after 30 years of microbiome advances research in Japan and field testing in the world’s most extreme terrestrial conditions. From growing cacao trees in Japan’s non-native climate and enhancing the fruit trees’ resilience in the Alps to increasing the yields of indoor lettuce farming to helping Bhutan’s royal family increase rice yields, the company has demonstrated the product's efficiency across various projects.

BOB® outshines traditional solutions by introducing the metabolites of super-bacteria into the soil, which are highly resilient organisms sourced from millennial trees. These “queen bacteria” have distinct metabolites that can transform even the most depleted and polluted soils.

Pioneering the Fusion of Space Technology and Agriculture

“Nature evolves and so do the challenges we face,” says Mulyani. “Our products need to advance to stay ahead of these changes, and space offers us an unparalleled environment to explore the full potential of bacterial adaptation.”

In 2025, the company will send these super-strains to the International Space Station (ISS) to study their epigenetic shifts.

The outcome of this experiment will provide a deeper understanding of how bacterial strains adapt to the extreme conditions of space, leading to new insights into how the company can enhance its biostimulant formulations, making them more effective for improving soil health, plant growth and nutrient density. Ultimately, this could help develop stronger, more sustainable agricultural products that benefit both Earth-based and future space missions, advancing food security and environmental resilience on multiple fronts.

BOB®’s microbiome solutions have cascading effects, fostering the growth of healthier and more resilient crops. When the microbiome is thriving, the soil provides a strong foundation for plants, resulting in higher yields and improved crop quality.

BOB-x® will not only offer a more affordable transition from synthetic fertilizers but also significantly enhance the effectiveness of organic solutions, making sustainable farming practices more powerful and accessible.

Astrobiome® aims to advance the conversation beyond organic practices, advocating for regenerative farming.

Astrobiome®’s solutions also elevate precision farming methods to become more efficient and economical. Certified microbiome scientists conduct field assessments to evaluate soil and plant health and water retention rates. Selected data collection enables the team to determine optimal dosages of microbiome solutions and tailor the formula to match the needs of each field site and corresponding farming practices.

By rebuilding the soil’s natural ecosystem, Astrobiome® creates a positive ripple effect that benefits farmers, the environment and the end consumer.

A notable example of this transformative approach can be seen in California, one of the biggest almond exporters in the world. Astrobiome® introduced its precision farming solutions in an almond farm, conducted a detailed assessment of the soil and water conditions and tailored a microbiome solution to the farm’s specific needs, including some Bioroc® solutions. The outcome—water usage was reduced significantly, projected to reduce even more, by 98 percent in a couple of years of consistent BOB® applications, and the almonds already doubled the yields after only 6 months of application. Furthermore, the almonds produced are expected to be richer in micronutrients. The farm achieved remarkable sustainability improvements, allowing the producer to position their product for premium markets and expect significant long-term returns on investment.

Astrobiome®’s constant innovation on Earth and beyond represents a leap forward in agricultural biotechnology. With a dual focus on advocating sustainable farming practices and pioneering advanced research to support outer-space missions, it is opening the doors to a healthier, more resilient future.