Exposure of amino acids and derivatives in the Earth orbit

Details Exposure of amino acids and derivatives in the Earth orbit Exposure of amino acids and derivatives in the Earth orbit

Apr 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002p%26ss...50..353b&link_type=abstract

Planetary and Space Science, Volume 50, Issue 4, p. 353-359.

Mathematics

Logic

10

Scientific paper

Amino acids and amino acid derivatives were exposed to space conditions in Earth orbit as part of the ESA BIOPAN-2 mission to test the possible delivery of extraterrestrial biological building blocks to the primitive Earth. During the Biopan-2 mission, four proteinaceous amino acids (glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and tyrosine), some amino acid esters and two peptides were exposed in Earth orbit for 10 days. Samples were exposed to vacuum and to solar radiation down to 120nm both alone or associated with montmorillonite as dry films deposited on MgF2 windows. The compounds recovered after the flight were analysed in order to assess chemical degradation, racemization and polymerization. The results confirmed the absence of racemization of the exposed molecules and the high sensitivity of acidic amino acids towards UV radiation already observed in the Biopan-1 exposure mission. Reducing the thickness of the films revealed unexpected sensitivities of exposed amino acids and peptides. A slight protecting effect was observed when the samples were embedded in 5μm thick montmorillonite films. Several amino acid esters were also exposed to study their possible polymerization in space. Their stability and reactivity in space conditions were compared. Significant degradation was observed for exposed unprotected samples implying that some kind of protection is needed to ensure any amino acid survival in space. Montmorillonite provided some protection but is not an ideal shielding material.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Exposure of amino acids and derivatives in the Earth orbit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Exposure of amino acids and derivatives in the Earth orbit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exposure of amino acids and derivatives in the Earth orbit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-849752