Stable isotope analysis at the molecular level: A new approach for determining the origins of amino acids in the Murchison meteorite

A combined gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) method has been developed that permits the direct stable carbon isotope analysis of N(O)-trifluoroacetylisopropyl esters of individual amino acids and their respective enantiomers at nanomole abundances. Calculation of the origi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in space research 1995-03, Vol.15 (3), p.99-106
Main Authors: Engel, M.H, Macko, S.A, Qian, Y, Silfer, J.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alanine - analysis
Alanine - chemical synthesis
Amino Acids - analysis
Amino Acids - chemical synthesis
Aminoisobutyric Acids - analysis
Aminoisobutyric Acids - chemical synthesis
Aspartic Acid - analysis
Aspartic Acid - chemical synthesis
beta-Alanine - analysis
beta-Alanine - chemical synthesis
Carbon Isotopes
Chromatography, Gas - methods
Evolution, Chemical
Exobiology
Glycine - analysis
Glycine - chemical synthesis
Life Sciences (General)
Mass Spectrometry - methods
Meteoroids
Space life sciences
Valine - analysis
Valine - chemical synthesis
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Summary:A combined gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/IRMS) method has been developed that permits the direct stable carbon isotope analysis of N(O)-trifluoroacetylisopropyl esters of individual amino acids and their respective enantiomers at nanomole abundances. Calculation of the original δ 13C values of the amino acids is accomplished via a correction for the carbon introduced during the derivatization process. Previous GC/IRMS analyses of individual amino acids in the non-hydrolyzed water extract of an interior sample of a Murchison meteorite stone revealed an enrichment in 13C relative to terrestrial organic matter, in agreement with previous findings for bulk extracts. The range of amino acid δ 13C values (+5 to +30 ‰, PDB) suggests possible kinetic effects during synthesis. In this study, an apparent kinetic isotope effect was also observed for the amino acid products of a spark discharge experiment. These preliminary results are supportive of a similar mechanism for the abiotic synthesis of amino acids in the Murchison meteorite.
ISSN:0273-1177
1879-1948
DOI:10.1016/S0273-1177(99)80069-6