Initial Concept Executive Summary

Introduction: The objective of this project is to observe the effect a relatively high magnetic field (in comparison the the Earth's normal magnetic field) may have the crystallization of the protein Thaumatin.

Background: Thaumatin is a protein extracted from the fruit of the plant Thaumatococcus daniellii from West Africa. It serves essentially as a flavor enhancer. It is valuable because it is 1,000 to 1,000,000 times sweeter than Saccharose, thus it would be a great sugar substitute for diabetics because of its protein qualities.

Procedure: The crystals will be grown using a salt solution as a desiccant through a diffusion method. The diffusion will take place at a relatively slow rate by using capillary tubes. Three groups of crystals will be compared in the experiment. Two groups of crystals will be grown in a magnetic field device; one parallel to the field, the other perpendicular to the field. The remaining group, the control group, will be grown outside of the magnetic field device. The Earth's magnetic field will be the same in all three instances.  The magnetic field will be created by a device, constructed entirely with nonferrous materials. Magnets will be located on two opposing sides of the device.  Measurements of the rate of growth will be recorded for comparison. Qualitative descriptions will be made of the crystal habit and clarity of the crystals. XRay diffraction or microanalysis of the crystals may be accomplished if it appears that it might provide worthwhile information and can be arranged.

Applicability: Experience to date indicates that growing crystals in the microgravity environment of space makes them more perfect structurally than growing them on Earth. The applicability of this project comes from the possibility of increases in the Earth's magnetic field in orbit may have an effect on crystal growth.  If so, crystals growth experiments in space might have to be protected from fluctuations in the magnetic field perhaps by a material such as Mu Metal.