Vibratinal Spectroscopic Identification of Beta-Carotene in Usnic Acid and PAHs as a Potential Martian Analogue

Authors: A. I. Alajtal, H. G. M. Edwards, M. A. Elbagermi

Abstract:

Raman spectroscopy is currently a part of the instrumentation suite of the ESA ExoMars mission for the remote detection of life signatures in the Martian surface and subsurface. Terrestrial analogues of Martian sites have been identified and the biogeological modifications incurred as a result of extremophilic activity have been studied. Analytical instrumentation protocols for the unequivocal detection of biomarkers in suitable geological matrices are critical for future unmanned explorations, including the forthcoming ESA ExoMars mission to search for life on Mars scheduled for 2018 and Raman spectroscopy is currently a part of the Pasteur instrumentation suite of this mission. Here, Raman spectroscopy using 785nm excitation was evaluated for determining various concentrations of beta-carotene in admixture with polyaromatic hydrocarbons and usnic acid have been investigated by Raman microspectrometry to determine the lowest levels detectable in simulation of their potential identification remotely in geobiological conditions in Martian scenarios. Information from this study will be important for the development of a miniaturized Raman instrument for targetting Martian sites where the biosignatures of relict or extant life could remain in the geological record.

Keywords: Raman spectroscopy, Mars-analog, Beta-carotene, PAHs.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1336923

References:

[1] Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration, in: J.A.Wood, et al.(Eds.), The Quarantine and Certification of Martian Samples, Space Studies Board, Natl. Acad. Sci., Washington DC, 2002.
[2] C.D.Schulze-Makuch, L.N. Irwin, Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 2004, 172.
[3] C.D. Litchfield, A. Oren, Hydrobiologia 466, 2001, 81.
[4] B.R.T.Simoneit, Adv. Space Res. 33, 2004, 1255.
[5] J. Jehlicka, H.G.M. Edwards, S.E.J. Villar , O. Frank, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy.37,2006, 771.
[6] J. Jehlicka, H.G.M. Edwards, S.E.J. Villar, Spectrochim. Acta A 65, 2006, 229.
[7] J. Jehlicka, H. G. M.Edwards, P.Vitek, Planetary and space Science 57, 2009, 606.
[8] J. Jehlicka and H.G.M. Edwards, Org. Geochem. 39, 2008, 371.
[9] J. Parnell and M. Baron, Int. J. Astrobiol. 3, 2004, 21.
[10] D. Gill, R.G. Kilponen , L. Rimai, Nature 227 ,1970, 743.
[11] J.C. Merlin, Pure pApl. Chem. 57, 1985, 785.
[12] C.P. Marshall, S. Leuko, C.M. Coyle, M.R. Walter, B.P. Burns, B.A. Neilan, Astrobiology 7 ,2007, 631.
[13] J .Godec and L.Colombo, The journal of chemical physics 66 (11), 1976, 4693.
[14] H.G.M.Edwards, S.E.Jorge Villar, J.Jehlicka, T.Munshi, Spectrochim Acta A 61, 2005, 2273.
[15] D.Lin-Vien, J.G.Grasselli, N.B.Colthup, W.G. Fateley, The Handbook of Infrared and Raman Characteristic Frequencies of Organic Molecules, chapter 11, Academic Press, San Diego,1991.
[16] G.Socrates, Infrared Characteristic Group Frequencies: Tables and Charts (Third ed.), John Wiley & Sons Ltd., New York, 2001.
[17] J. Jehlicka, H.G.M.Edwards, S.E.JorgeVillar, O.Frank, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy 37, 2006, 220.
[18] J. Jehlicka, H.G.M.Edwards, Org. Geochem 39, 2008, 371.
[19] Yek Tann Chua and C. Peter. Stair, Journal of Catalysis.213, 2003, 39.
[20] W.Charles, Jr.Bauschlicher, R.Stephen, Langhoff, S.A. Sandford, J. Phys. Chem. A 101, 1997, 2414.
[21] L. J. Allamandola, in IAU Symposium 135, Interstellar Dust,eds. L. J. Allamandola, A. G. G. M.Tielens (Kluwer, Dordrecht),1989, 129.
[22] M. Veronelli, G.Zerbi, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy 26, 1995, 683.
[23] R. J. Weesie, J. C. Merlin, J. Lugtenburg, G. Britton, F. J. H. M. Jansen , J. P. Cornard, Biospectroscopy 5 ,1999,19.
[24] H.G.M. Edwards, E.M. Newton, D.D. Wynn-Williams, J. Mol. Struct. 27, 2003, 651.
[25] ACS Committee on Environmental Improvement, Anal. Chem. 52, 1980, 2242
[26] A. I. Alajtal, H. G. M. Edwards, I. J. Scowen, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry397, 2010, 215.