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Laboratory simulation of UV irradiation from the Sun on amino acids. I: irradiation of tyrosine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2007

F. Scappini ,
F. Casadei ,
R. Zamboni ,
S. Monti ,
P. Giorgianni  and
M.L. Capobianco
F. Scappini
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati del C.N.R., Via P. Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
F. Casadei
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati del C.N.R., Via P. Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
R. Zamboni
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati del C.N.R., Via P. Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
S. Monti
Affiliation:
Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività del C.N.R., Via P. Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy e-mail: f.scappini@bo.ismn.cnr.it
P. Giorgianni
Affiliation:
Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività del C.N.R., Via P. Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy e-mail: f.scappini@bo.ismn.cnr.it
M.L. Capobianco
Affiliation:
Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività del C.N.R., Via P. Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy e-mail: f.scappini@bo.ismn.cnr.it
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Abstract

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on water solutions of tyrosine (HO—C6H4—CH2—CHNH2—COOH) have been investigated using a Xe lamp in the region 200–800 nm. This is a step in laboratory simulation towards reproducing the action of the Solar radiation on the building blocks of life, specifically α-amino acids, in the primitive Earth anoxic conditions. Results are presented showing the photostability of tyrosine against different UV doses. Degradation products partly maintain life building capability and partly do not. A tendency towards structure complexification was observed. The analysis of the irradiated tyrosine solutions was conducted using various spectroscopic and analytic techniques. The laboratory results are discussed in the light of a primordial life-emerging scenario.

Keywords

amino acidsastrobiologychemical evolutionorigin of lifeUV irradiation of amino acids
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , April 2007 , pp. 123 - 129
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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