title: Investigation of biomolecules trapped in fluid inclusions inside halite crystals by Raman spectroscopy.
abstract: Raman spectroscopy was tested for the identification of biomolecules (glycine, L-alanine, β-alanine, L-serine, and γ-aminobutyric acid) trapped in fluid inclusions inside halite model crystals. The investigated biomolecules represent important targets for future astrobiological missions. We know from terrestrial conditions that organic molecules and microorganisms can be sealed within fluid inclusions and can survive intact even for hundreds of millions of years. Raman spectroscopy is currently being miniaturized for future extraterrestrial planetary exploration (ExoMars 2018). Raman spectroscopy has shown the ability to detect investigated aminoacids nondestructively without any sample preparation, in short measurement times, and in relatively low concentrations. The number of registered Raman bands of investigated aminoacids and their intensity clearly correlate with the given concentration of biomolecules within fluid inclusions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. osterrot@natur.cuni.cz
authors.forename: Kateřina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osterrothová
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jehlička
mesh_terms: D000409:Alanine / Q000032:analysis; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D003460:Crystallization; D018559:Exobiology / Q000379:methods*; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment / Q000737:chemistry*; D005998:Glycine / Q000032:analysis; D012694:Serine / Q000032:analysis; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000032:analysis; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D015091:beta-Alanine; D012694:Serine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000409:Alanine; D005998:Glycine