Work

Strategy for integrated GC– and LC–MS/MS analysis of extraterrestrial biomolecules

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The study aims to develop and optimise a derivatisation strategy to combine gas and liquid chromatography analysis of a single sample. Silylation was selected for gas chromatography analysis, as it increases the volatility and detectability of biologically related molecules. Deprotection of tert -butyldimethylsilyl derivatives was performed, enabling efficient conversion into the native molecular sample for further analysis using sensitive hyphenated techniques, thereby broadening the target scope. The deprotection reaction proceeded simply and rapidly using water and methanol at room temperature. The absolute configuration of chiral molecules was preserved throughout the procedure. No significant molecular loss or analytical bias was observed. This new strategy was applied to samples of astrobiological interest to provide both a broad molecular mapping and detailed data on indigenous compounds by decreasing misinterpretation. Application to meteoritic samples highlighted the efficacy and relevance of the proof of concept.

Source: Microchemical Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2025.115530