Stability of aqueous formaldehyde under γ irradiation: prebiotic relevance

López-Islas, A.; Colín-García, Marìa; Negrón‐Mendoza, A.

doi:10.1017/s1473550418000368

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…High-energy gamma rays are likely to trigger the decomposition of HCHO, NH 3 , CH 3 OH, and H 2 O into radicals. One of the possible reaction pathways could be illustrated as Figure , based on the radical formations induced by gamma rays − in addition to the formation of alanine from ammonia and aldehyde . OH radicals produced by gamma-rays efficiently remove hydrogen from molecules and trigger further radical reactions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…OH radicals produced by gamma-rays efficiently remove hydrogen from molecules and trigger further radical reactions. NH 2 radical and HCO radical are produced by ammonia and formaldehyde, and then formamide is produced . Ethylene glycol is produced from the CH 2 OH radial which is formed from methanol by gamma rays. , Ethylene glycol then produces acetaldehyde which reacts with ammonia and produces ethanimine .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Possible pathways for alanine formation from ammonia, formaldehyde, and methanol aqueous solutions with gamma-ray irradiation based on the radical formations induced by gamma rays − in addition to the formation of alanine from ammonia and aldehyde …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation in Aqueous Small Bodies in the Early Solar System

et al. 2022

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Carbonaceous chondrites contain life’s essential building blocks, including amino acids, and their delivery of organic compounds would have played a key role in life’s emergence on Earth. Aqueous alteration of carbonaceous chondrites is a widespread process induced by the heat produced by radioactive decay of nuclides like 26Al. Simple ubiquitous molecules like formaldehyde and ammonia could produce various organic compounds, including amino acids and complex organic macromolecules. However, the effects of radiation on such organic chemistry are unknown. Hence, the effects of gamma rays from radioactive decays on the formation of amino acids in meteorite parent bodies are demonstrated here. We discovered that gamma-ray irradiation of aqueous formaldehyde and ammonia solutions afforded a variety of amino acids. The amino acid yields had a linear relationship with the total gamma-ray dose but were unaffected by the irradiation dose rates. Given the gamma-ray production rates in the meteorite parent bodies, we estimated that the production rates were reasonable compared to amino acid abundances in carbonaceous chondrites. Our findings indicate that gamma rays may contribute to amino acid formation in parent bodies during aqueous alteration. In this paper, we propose a new prebiotic amino acid formation pathway that contributes to life’s origin.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation in Aqueous Small Bodies in the Early Solar System

et al. 2022

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“…The initial process is kinetically slow; however, once GA is formed, the formose reaction proceeds through self-catalytic reactions [66]. On the other hand, it is known that GA was produced from HCHO by gamma-ray irradiations [67]. Thus, FAW samples exposed to gamma-ray irradiation might initially form GA, and then a formose-type reaction involving NH 3 can produce AA precursors.…”

Section: Effects Of Gamma Rays On the Formation Of Aas From Aqueous F...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation during Aqueous Alteration in Small Bodies: The Effects of Compositions of Starting Solutions

Ishikawa,

Kebukawa,

Kobayashi

et al. 2024

Life

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Organic compounds, such as amino acids, are essential for the origin of life, and they may have been delivered to the prebiotic Earth from extra-terrestrial sources, such as carbonaceous chondrites. In the parent bodies of carbonaceous chondrites, the radioactive decays of short-lived radionuclides, such as 26Al, cause the melting of ice, and aqueous alteration occurs in the early stages of solar system formation. Many experimental studies have shown that complex organic matter, including amino acids and high-molecular-weight organic compounds, is produced by such hydrothermal processes. On the other hand, radiation, particularly gamma rays from radionuclides, can contribute to the formation of amino acids from simple molecules such as formaldehyde and ammonia. In this study, we investigated the details of gamma-ray-induced amino acid formation, focusing on the effects of different starting materials on aqueous solutions of formaldehyde, ammonia, methanol, and glycolaldehyde with various compositions, as well as hexamethylenetetramine. Alanine and glycine were the most abundantly formed amino acids after acid hydrolysis of gamma-ray-irradiated products. Amino acid formation increased with increasing gamma-ray irradiation doses. Lower amounts of ammonia relative to formaldehyde produced more amino acids. Glycolaldehyde significantly increased amino acid yields. Our results indicated that glycolaldehyde formation from formaldehyde enhanced by gamma rays is key for the subsequent production of amino acids.

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“…In previous studies conducted by our research group (López-Islas et al, 2018), formic acid in irradiated formaldehyde samples was detected by mass spectrometry. In the present study, formic acid in the formaldehyde samples that were exposed to gamma radiation was measured by titration.…”

Section: Decomposition Of Formaldehyde In the Control And Frozen Solu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation-induced reactions in comet analogues

López-Islas

Negrón‐Mendoza

2022

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Comets are a source of prebiotic molecules that likely enriched the early Earth during the Late Heavy Bombardment period. Laboratory experiments that replicate cometary conditions may facilitate understanding of the chemical reactions and supplement observational studies of these icy bodies. Prebiotic compounds, such as formic acid and formaldehyde, have been observed in comets. Furthermore, these compounds can easily be formed in experimental models using a variety of gas combinations and energy sources. We conducted experimental cometary simulations using radiation chemistry tools to obtain insight into the possible fate of formic acid and formaldehyde. The main results suggest a redundant system, signifying that the irradiation of formic acid forms formaldehyde molecules and vice versa. This phenomenon ensures the permanence of prebiotic molecules in high-radiation environments. Additionally, the potential role of forsterite and graphite was explored in cometary simulations. Our experimental results show the differential formation of aldehydes and other carbonyl-containing compounds dependent on the mineral phase present.

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Stability of aqueous formaldehyde under γ irradiation: prebiotic relevance

Cited by 11 publications

References 46 publications

Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation in Aqueous Small Bodies in the Early Solar System

Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation in Aqueous Small Bodies in the Early Solar System

Gamma-Ray-Induced Amino Acid Formation during Aqueous Alteration in Small Bodies: The Effects of Compositions of Starting Solutions

Radiation-induced reactions in comet analogues

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