Abstract: critically important in active space exploration and long-term isolated flights. In the conditions of a closed and hermetic spacecraft or lunar base, as well as under the influence of unfavorable factors of space flight: weightlessness, weak magnetic field, ionizing radiation, active changes in the properties of microorganisms occur. In the case of spacecraft and lunar bases, there is a possibility that some surface areas will not be processed and sterilized often enough and the growth and colony formation of microorganisms in the form of biofilms may occur, which is especially dangerous. Rather rapid adaptation of microorganisms to unfavorable factors of space is possible, which will further increase the danger to astronauts. For this reason, it is necessary to start searching for universal and compact means of biological protection for astronauts right now. Metal nanoparticles can be considered as possible means of biological protection due to their antimicrobial properties. However, a wide variety of methods and approaches for describing properties of nanoparticles leads to heterogeneity and inconsistency of the available information regarding their antimicrobial activity, especially in a comparative aspect. In this umbrella review, we summarized the knowledge available in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The key issue of the review was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of metal nanoparticles (MNP). The results of the analysis showed the presence of a significant antimicrobial activity in a number of metal nanoparticles, including silver, iron, titanium, zinc, copper, gold, platinum, magnesium, aluminum, bismuth, molybdenum, manganese and cerium. It was found that most of the available works provide insufficient information about the size, shape, activity, and a number of other parameters of nanoparticles, which significantly complicates the analysis, generalization, and use of such knowledge. In view of the revealed incompleteness and heterogeneity of the information presented, we propose a consensus in the form of the minimum necessary information to be reflected in research and review papers devoted to the study of the antimicrobial action of nanoparticles.

Cite: Plotnikov E. , Artamonov A.A.
An umbrella review and meta-analysis: antimicrobial properties of metal nanoparticles as alternative anti-infective agents for space missions
Acta Astronautica. 2026. V.238. P.1050-1062. DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.09.087 WOS Scopus OpenAlex

Identifiers:

Web of science:	WOS:001590584500001
Scopus:	2-s2.0-105017563763
OpenAlex:	W4414679235

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