Analysis of carbonaceous biomarkers with the Mars Organic Analyzer microchip capillary electrophoresis system: aldehydes and ketones.
A microchip CE method is developed for the analysis of two oxidized forms of carbon, aldehydes and ketones, with the Mars Organic Analyzer (MOA). Fluorescent derivitization is achieved in ∼ 15 min by hydrazone formation with Cascade Blue hydrazide in 30 mM borate pH 5-6. The microchip CE separation and analysis method is optimized via separation in 30 mM borate buffer, pH 9.5, at 20°C. A carbonyl standard consisting of ten aldehydes and ketones found in extraterrestrial matter is successfully separated; the resulting LOD depends on the reactivity of the compound and range from 70 pM for formaldehyde to 2 μM for benzophenone. To explore the utility of this method for analyzing complex samples, analyses of several fermented beverages are conducted, identifying ten aldehydes and ketones ranging from 30 nM to 5 mM. A Martian regolith simulant sample, consisting of a basalt matrix spiked with soluble ions and acetone, is designed and analyzed, but acetone is found to have a limited detectable lifetime under simulant Martian conditions. This work establishes the capability of the MOA for studying aldehydes and ketones, a critical class of oxidized organic molecules of interest in planetary and in terrestrial environmental and health studies.
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Amanda M
AM
Stockton
Caroline Chandra
CC
Tjin
Grace L
GL
Huang
Merwan
M
Benhabib
Thomas N
TN
Chiesl
Richard A
RA
Mathies
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001881:Borates / Q000737:chemistry; D046209:Electrophoresis, Microchip / Q000379:methods*; D018559:Exobiology / Q000379:methods; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007659:Ketones / Q000032:analysis*; D018535:Mars; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry
D000447:Aldehydes; D015415:Biomarkers; D001881:Borates; D007659:Ketones; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D012987:Soil; C066850:Cascade Blue