Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for identification both inorganic and organic compounds including microbial biomolecules. Together with the fact, that it is considered to be the important nondestructive instrument for use on Mars within future robotic missions, it is necessary to assess its capabilities in scenarios relevant for both Martian and terrestrial conditions. In this work, the potential of Raman spectrometry was tested - including both bench-top laboratory systems as well as portable counterparts - to detect traces of life within evaporitic matrices through biomolecular identification. Due to their chemical and physical nature resulting in optical properties, pigments are important organic compounds in Raman spectroscopic analysis using visible excitation. Hence in this work we have focused on the Raman spectroscopic identification of pigments as biomarkers with relevance for investigation of life in both extreme terrestrial and potentially extraterrestrial environments. Results of methodical work are presented in Appendices I to III, dealing particularly with β-carotene as a model carotenoid pigment. The concentration limits of this biomarker in three different evaporitic matrices (halite, gypsum and epsomite) have been determined for artificially prepared powdered mixtures alone...
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:nusl.cz/oai:invenio.nusl.cz:299116 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Vítek, Petr |
| Contributors | Jehlička, Jan, Marshall, Craig P., Vandenabeele, Peter |
| Source Sets | Czech ETDs |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess |
Page generated in 0.112 seconds