Mannatene

Mannatene is a widely available all-purpose foodstuff during the First Trilogy Era. It provides basic calories, daily nutrients, and little flavor. It is generally produces in three varieties: high activity, moderate activity, and emergency. The emergency ration is designed to fight acute malnutrition for spacers who may have been stranded in an accident. 
It is an ancient precursor to wheyfare. 
== History ==
The first variety of mannatene was produced on Earth during the Space Age by the Soviet Union, but was not very popular among cosmonauts. With the rise of the Consortium and the standard availability of a limited variety of nutritious genetically engineered foodstuffs for even the lowest class spacer, wheyfare was produced in small quantities only as a last resort foodstuff. 
It became more popular during the Twilight Era as food supplies became scarce with the collapse of Solar trade. Mannatene was also widely used on the Progress fleet, but the Progress variety was generally considered to be more potable and was often supplemented by foods grown aboard the fleet. 
== Contents and Administration ==
It is produced from algae, potatoes, and genetically engineered mushrooms. Each serving is edible as a single meal and is basically filling to the stomach. It provides about 2100 calories and daily servings of necessary protein, energy, vitamin A and carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin C, antioxidants, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium and iodine.
Mannatene may also be administered intravenously for ultralong EVA missions.
Category:Technology