Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterise both organic and geological samples in order to build a database for the future characterization of biomarker molecules that are of astrobiological relevance. Characteristic geological features and hydrated minerals recently found on the surface of Mars by the NASA planetary rovers Spirit and Opportunity suggest that a possible biosphere could have once existed there. 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 scheduled for 2018. Several geological features found on the surface of Mars by planetary rovers suggest that a possible extinct biosphere could exist based on similar sources of energy as occurred on Earth. For this reason, analytical instrumental protocols for the detection of isolated biomarkers preserved in suitable geological matrices unequivocally and non-destructively have to be evaluated for future unmanned missions. Raman spectroscopy is currently part of the Pasteur instrumentation suite of the ExoMars mission for the remote detection of extant or extinct life signatures in the Martian surface and subsurface. Terrestrial analogues of Martian sites have been identified and the biogeological modifications resulting from extremophilic survival activity have been studied. Here we present the Raman spectral characterization of several examples of organic compounds which have been recorded using 785 nm, 633 nm and 514 nm laser excitation -polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic acids, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Experimental mixtures of ß-carotene in usnic acid, PAHs in usnic acid and PAHs in mineral matrices have also been investigated. Organic compounds and PAHs located under crystalline minerals samples were identified using a 5x objective lens and 785 nm III excitation. The pure compounds and compound mixtures were also analysed using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of this study indicate that near infrared laser at 785 nm provided the clearest and the most informative spectra due to the reduction of fluorescence emission. Higher energy lasers operating in the visible region have resulted in the emission of significant background fluorescence. Few samples fluoresce even with the use of 785 nm excitation and FT-Raman spectroscopy remains the instrument of choice for the analysis of these samples.

Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterise both organic and geological samples in order to build a database for the future characterization of biomarker molecules that are of astrobiological relevance. Characteristic geological features and hydrated minerals recently found on the surface of Mars by the NASA planetary rovers Spirit and Opportunity suggest that a possible biosphere could have once existed there. 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 scheduled for 2018. Several geological features found on the surface of Mars by planetary rovers suggest that a possible extinct biosphere could exist based on similar sources of energy as occurred on Earth. For this reason, analytical instrumental protocols for the detection of isolated biomarkers preserved in suitable geological matrices unequivocally and non-destructively have to be evaluated for future unmanned missions. Raman spectroscopy is currently part of the Pasteur instrumentation suite of the ExoMars mission for the remote detection of extant or extinct life signatures in the Martian surface and subsurface. Terrestrial analogues of Martian sites have been identified and the biogeological modifications resulting from extremophilic survival activity have been studied. Here we present the Raman spectral characterization of several examples of organic compounds which have been recorded using 785 nm, 633 nm and 514 nm laser excitation -polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic acids, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Experimental mixtures of ß-carotene in usnic acid, PAHs in usnic acid and PAHs in mineral matrices have also been investigated. Organic compounds and PAHs located under crystalline minerals samples were identified using a 5x objective lens and 785 nm III excitation. The pure compounds and compound mixtures were also analysed using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of this study indicate that near infrared laser at 785 nm provided the clearest and the most informative spectra due to the reduction of fluorescence emission. Higher energy lasers operating in the visible region have resulted in the emission of significant background fluorescence. Few samples fluoresce even with the use of 785 nm excitation and FT-Raman spectroscopy remains the instrument of choice for the analysis of these samples.

Este trabalho descreve a otimização e validação de um método analítico para a análise de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (PAHs) em água usando uma interface SPME/LC/DAD. Parâmetros como tipos de fibra, tempo de extração, temperatura e força iônica foram estudados no modo \"off line\" e a influência destes na eficiência de extração foi avaliada. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a fibra Carbowax/templeted resin. Uma interface \"lab made\" foi utilizada para a etapa de validação e as curvas de calibração mostraram boa linearidade (r>0,99) para a maioria dos compostos analisados, tanto na linearidade da amostra como na linearidade do padrão. Os dados de precisão obtidos na concentração de trabalho variaram de 1 a 3%, aproximadamente, e os valores de recuperação se mantiveram na faixa de 4 a 27%. Os PAHs foram determinados na faixa de 0,025 micro g até 0,5 micro g. Pode-se considerar os valores obtidos nos itens de precisão e linearidade satisfatórios para a análise dos PAHs, considerando-se os critérios internacionais estabelecidos para esta classe de compostos, mas o método não atende as especificações relacionadas a recuperação e faixa de concentração. / This work describes the optimization and validation of an analytical method to determine Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water using a SPME/LC/DAD interface. Parameters as fibers kind, sampling time, temperature and ionic strength were studied and their influence on the extraction efficiency were evaluated. The best results were obtained with the Carbowax/templeted resin fiber. A \"lab made\" interface was used to validate the method and the calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0,99) to almost all the compounds analyzed, considering both the sample linearity and the standard linearity. The data obtained for precision showed a variation from 1 to 3 % and the recovery values were bellow 27%. The PAHs analysis was performed for concentrations from 0,025 micro g/fiber to 0,5 micro g/fiber. The method does not show good recoveries values but the data obtained for precision and linearity can be considered satisfactory according to international criteria established for theses compounds.

Este trabalho descreve a otimização e validação de um método analítico para a análise de hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (PAHs) em água usando uma interface SPME/LC/DAD. Parâmetros como tipos de fibra, tempo de extração, temperatura e força iônica foram estudados no modo \"off line\" e a influência destes na eficiência de extração foi avaliada. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a fibra Carbowax/templeted resin. Uma interface \"lab made\" foi utilizada para a etapa de validação e as curvas de calibração mostraram boa linearidade (r>0,99) para a maioria dos compostos analisados, tanto na linearidade da amostra como na linearidade do padrão. Os dados de precisão obtidos na concentração de trabalho variaram de 1 a 3%, aproximadamente, e os valores de recuperação se mantiveram na faixa de 4 a 27%. Os PAHs foram determinados na faixa de 0,025 micro g até 0,5 micro g. Pode-se considerar os valores obtidos nos itens de precisão e linearidade satisfatórios para a análise dos PAHs, considerando-se os critérios internacionais estabelecidos para esta classe de compostos, mas o método não atende as especificações relacionadas a recuperação e faixa de concentração. / This work describes the optimization and validation of an analytical method to determine Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water using a SPME/LC/DAD interface. Parameters as fibers kind, sampling time, temperature and ionic strength were studied and their influence on the extraction efficiency were evaluated. The best results were obtained with the Carbowax/templeted resin fiber. A \"lab made\" interface was used to validate the method and the calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0,99) to almost all the compounds analyzed, considering both the sample linearity and the standard linearity. The data obtained for precision showed a variation from 1 to 3 % and the recovery values were bellow 27%. The PAHs analysis was performed for concentrations from 0,025 micro g/fiber to 0,5 micro g/fiber. The method does not show good recoveries values but the data obtained for precision and linearity can be considered satisfactory according to international criteria established for theses compounds.