2020 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Geo-electrochemical Conversion of Amino Acids Induced by Aqueous Alteration in Carbonaceous Planetesimals
Publicly Offered Research
| Project Area | Aqua planetology |
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| Project/Area Number |
20H04608
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| Research Institution | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
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Principal Investigator |
Li Yamei 東京工業大学, 地球生命研究所, 特任助教 (10745128)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | Geoelectrochemistry / Carbonaceous chondrites / Amino acids / Catalysis / Water-rock interaction |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The following two initial goals are achieved as follows:
(1)By varying the electrochemical potential, the geochemical parameters (H2 concentration, pH, mineral catalysts)were screened. The reaction pathways and kinetics of amino acids conversion, and the resulted L-/D-enantiomeric ratio were determined.(2)By using isotope labeling technique, the carbon and nitrogen conversion pathways as well as the associated mechanism have been elucidated to account for the wide range of organics observed in carbonaceous meteorites.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Although the experiments were slightly delayed due to COVID-19 and maternity leave, I have been continuing working with the technician to finish the experiments for the first year. Except for the final goal of isotope determination, the initial two goals were achieved. Currently, two papers based on the current results are under preparation.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
(1)Measurement of the carbon isotope ratio in hydroxy acids and monocarboxylic acids; (2)Measurement of the nitrogen isotope ratio in ammonia and amines.(3) Evaluating the decomposition rate of beta-alanine and compare with other amino acids. There is report that the relative abundance of beta-alanine increases along with the elevated degree of aqueous alteration, which is in contrary to the trend of other amino acids. One possibility is that the geo-electrochemical decomposition of beta-alanine is slow due to the presence of methyl group at the alpha-carbon site.
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