Primordial synthesis of amines and amino acids in a 1958 Miller H2S-rich spark discharge experiment.

ABSTRACT: Archived samples from a previously unreported 1958 Stanley Miller electric discharge experiment containing hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) were recently discovered and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We report here the detection and quantification of primary amine-containing compounds in the original sample residues, which were produced via spark discharge using a gaseous mixture of H(2)S, CH(4), NH(3), and CO(2). A total of 23 amino acids and 4 amines, including 7 organosulfur compounds, were detected in these samples. The major amino acids with chiral centers are racemic within the accuracy of the measurements, indicating that they are not contaminants introduced during sample storage. This experiment marks the first synthesis of sulfu

SUBMITTER: Parker ET 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3078417 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature