Origins of the L-amino acid excess in carbonaceous meteorites

Michael H. Engel

doi:10.1117/12.928526

15 October 2012 Origins of the L-amino acid excess in carbonaceous meteorites

Michael H. Engel

Proceedings Volume 8521, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XV; 852104 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.928526
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Carbonaceous meteorites provide the best direct evidence for the types and abundances of organic compounds that were present at approximately the time of formation of our solar system. The occurrence of eight amino acids in carbonaceous meteorites that are ubiquitous to all life as we know it has led to much discussion concerning their significance for the origin of life. The fact that several of the protein amino acids in carbonaceous meteorites have been reported to contain an L-enantiomer excess led to the initial speculation that the preferred stereochemistry for the organic constituents of life as we know it was derived from this extraterrestrial source1. Hypotheses that have been used to explain this extraterrestrial L-amino acid excess are discussed within the context of the results of recent laboratory experiments.

Citation Download Citation

Michael H. Engel "Origins of the L-amino acid excess in carbonaceous meteorites", Proc. SPIE 8521, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology XV, 852104 (15 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.928526

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