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Vítek P, Jehlička J, Edwards HGM, Hutchinson I, Ascaso C, Wierzchos J. Miniaturized Raman instrumentation detects carotenoids in Mars-analogue rocks from the Mojave and Atacama deserts. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2014; 372:rsta.2014.0196. [PMID: 25368344 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2014.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study is primarily focused on proving the potential of miniaturized Raman systems to detect any biomolecular and mineral signal in natural geobiological samples that are relevant for future application of the technique within astrobiologically aimed missions on Mars. A series of evaporites of varying composition and origin from two extremely dry deserts were studied, namely Atacama and Mojave. The samples represent both dry evaporitic deposits and recent evaporitic efflorescences from hypersaline brines. The samples comprise halite and different types of sulfates and carbonates. The samples were analysed in two different ways: (i) directly as untreated rocks and (ii) as homogenized powders. Two excitation wavelengths of miniaturized Raman spectrometers were compared: 532 and 785 nm. The potential to detect carotenoids as biomarkers on Mars compared with the potential detection of carbonaceous matter using miniaturized instrumentation is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vítek
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - J Jehlička
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - H G M Edwards
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Sciences Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - I Hutchinson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Space Sciences Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - C Ascaso
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, c/ Serrano 115 dpdo., 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Wierzchos
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, c/ Serrano 115 dpdo., 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Vandenabeele P, Edwards HGM, Jehlička J. The role of mobile instrumentation in novel applications of Raman spectroscopy: archaeometry, geosciences, and forensics. Chem Soc Rev 2014; 43:2628-49. [PMID: 24382454 DOI: 10.1039/c3cs60263j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The applications of analytical Raman spectroscopy in the characterisation of materials associated with archaeologically excavated artefacts, forensic investigations of drugs of abuse, security and crime scenes, minerals and rocks and future astrobiological space missions are now well established; however, these applications have emphasised the need for new developments in the area of miniaturised instrumentation which extends the concept and breadth of the analytical requirement to facilitate the provision of data from 'in field' studies. In this respect, the apparently unrelated themes of art and archaeology, forensic science, geological science and astrobiology as covered by this review are unified broadly by the ability to record data nondestructively and without resorting to sampling and the subsequent transfer of samples to the analytical laboratory. In studies of works of art there has long been a requirement for on-site analysis, especially for valuable paintings held under strict museum security and for wall paintings which cannot physically be removed from their setting; similarly, the use of portable Raman spectroscopy in archaeological and geological field work as a first-pass screening device which obviates the necessity of multiple and wasteful specimen collection is high on the wish-list of practicing spectroscopists. As a first-pass screening probe for forensic crime scenes, Raman spectroscopy has proved to be of inestimable value for the early detection of dangerous and prohibited materials such as drugs of abuse, explosives and their chemical precursors, and banned contraband biomaterials such as ivories and animal products; in these applications the advantage of the Raman spectroscopic technique for the recognition of spectral signatures from mixtures of inorganic and organic compounds is paramount and not afforded by other less portable instrumental techniques. Finally, in astrobiological work, these requirements also apply but with the additional prerequisite for system operation remotely - often over distances of several hundred million kilometres - as part of instrumental suites on robotic spacecraft and planetary landers; this necessitates robust and reliable instrumentation for the observation of unique and characteristic spectral features from the planetary geological surface and subsurface which are dependent on the assignment of both biological and geological band signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vandenabeele
- Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Jehlička J, Edwards HGM, Oren A. Bacterioruberin and salinixanthin carotenoids of extremely halophilic Archaea and Bacteria: a Raman spectroscopic study. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2013; 106:99-103. [PMID: 23376264 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2012.12.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory cultures of a number of red extremely halophilic Archaea (Halobacterium salinarum strains NRC-1 and R1, Halorubrum sodomense, Haloarcula valismortis) and of Salinibacter ruber, a red extremely halophilic member of the Bacteria, have been investigated by Raman spectroscopy using 514.5nm excitation to characterize their carotenoids. The 50-carbon carotenoid α-bacterioruberin was detected as the major carotenoid in all archaeal strains. Raman spectroscopy also detected bacterioruberin as the main pigment in a red pellet of cells collected from a saltern crystallizer pond. Salinibacter contains the C40-carotenoid acyl glycoside salinixanthin (all-E, 2'S)-2'-hydroxy-1'-[6-O-(methyltetradecanoyl)-β-d-glycopyranosyloxy]-3',4'-didehydro-1',2'-dihydro-β,ψ-carotene-4-one), for which the Raman bands assignments of are given here for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jehlička
- Charles University, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Kuckova S, Hynek R, Němec I, Kodiček M, Jehlička J. Critical comparison of spectrometric analyses of non-mineral blue dyes and pigments used in artworks. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.4828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - R. Hynek
- Institute of Chemical Technology; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology; Technicka 3; 166 28; Prague 6; Czech Republic
| | - I. Němec
- Charles University in Prague; Faculty of Science, Department of Inorganic Chemistry; Hlavova 8; 128 40; Prague 2; Czech Republic
| | - M. Kodiček
- Institute of Chemical Technology; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology; Technicka 3; 166 28; Prague 6; Czech Republic
| | - J. Jehlička
- Charles University in Prague; Faculty of Science, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources; Albertov 6; 128 40; Prague 2; Czech Republic
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Culka A, Jehlička J, Strnad L. Testing a portable Raman instrument: the detection of biomarkers in gypsum powdered matrix under gypsum crystals. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2012; 86:347-350. [PMID: 22100732 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2011.10.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In this study the possibility to detect biomarkers in experimentally prepared evaporitic matrices using a portable Raman instrument was estimated. Testing of the instrument was carried-out under the Alpine conditions outdoors at a low ambient temperature of -10 °C and at an altitude of 2860 m (Pitztal, Austria). Amino acids glycine and l-alanine, nucleo bases thymine and adenine, and metabolite urea were the organics mixed with gypsum powder. In this step it was shown that portable Raman spectroscopic instrumentation is capable of detecting biomarkers in complex samples in a host geological matrix. Such detection is possible even when the laser beam was focussed through the gypsum crystals 3-9 mm thick. For exobiology areas, this is an important fact, because life and/or related biomolecules are likely to be found in cavities under the surface of partially transparent evaporitic minerals that provide them a shelter from the hostile surrounding environment. For influencing the intensity of Raman bands the thickness of covering crystals is not as important as is the actual concentration of the biomarkers. This work and similar experiments serve for better evaluation of Raman spectroscopy as a method for future planetary exploration mission adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Culka
- Charles University in Prague, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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Jehlička J, Vandenabeele P, Edwards HGM. Discrimination of zeolites and beryllium containing silicates using portable Raman spectroscometric equipment with near-infrared excitation. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2012; 86:341-346. [PMID: 22099060 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2011.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 10/19/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In this paper Raman spectra were obtained for a series of zeolites (thomsonite, stilbite, natrolite) and beryllium containing silicates (beryl, chrysoberyl, euclase, phenacite, bavenite, milarite) using a portable Raman specrometer with a 785 nm laser excitation to show the possibility to apply this setting for unambiguous detection and discrimination of these silicate minerals. Obtained spectra contain the most intense Raman bands at the same positions ±2-4 cm(-1) as reported in the literature. The use of these bands permits the unambiguous identification of these phases. Data show the possibility to discriminate individual species of similar whitish color and aspect. Measurements showed an excellent correspondence of Raman bands obtained using the portable system and a laboratory Raman microspectrometer (with the same excitation laser wavelenght). However, for several minerals of these groups (chrysoberyl, bertrandite, chiavennite) Raman spectra were not of sufficient quality to permit unambiguous identification. The reasons are discussed. Raman spectrum of chiavennite CaMnBe(2)Si(5)O(13)(OH)(2)·2(H(2)O) - a transformation product occurring together with bavenite on the surface of beryl crystals was obtained for the first time using the laboratory Raman spectrometer.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jehlička
- Charles University in Prague, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Culka A, Jehlička J, Vandenabeele P, Edwards HGM. The detection of biomarkers in evaporite matrices using a portable Raman instrument under Alpine conditions. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2011; 80:8-13. [PMID: 21237702 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2010.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The detection of relatively low concentrations of the biomarkers in experimentally prepared evaporitic matrices using a portable Raman instrument (Ahura First Defender XL equipped with a 785 nm diode laser and fixed frontal probe) under Alpine conditions was tested. The instrument was able to detect nucleobases thymine (1673 and 984 cm(-1)) and adenine (722 and 536 cm(-1)) at concentrations of 1 wt% in the gypsum matrix outdoors at a low ambient temperature of -10°C and at an altitude of 2860 m(Pitztal, Austria). Amino acids glycine (1324 and 892 cm(-1)) and alanine (1357 and 851 cm(-1)) were unambiguously detected at 10 wt%. The main Raman features: strong, medium and partially weak intensity bands were observed in good agreement with the reference spectra for individual compounds (with a spectral resolution 7-10 cm(-1)) in the wavenumber range 200-1800 cm(-1). In the qualitative part of the experiment it was established that the portable instrument is able to detect the components in the mixture of three biomarkers (glycine, alanine and mellitic acid) and two evaporitic minerals unambiguously. It also detected the majority of the six similar amino acids in the mixture with gypsum and epsomite evaporitic minerals. The results obtained here demonstrate the possibility of a miniaturised Raman spectrometer to be able to cope with the various exobiologically related tasks that can be expected in the future planetary surface exploration missions. Within the payload designed by ESA and NASA for future missions, Raman spectroscopy will represent a unique research instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Culka
- Charles University in Prague, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Vítek P, Edwards HGM, Jehlička J, Cox R. Evaluation of portable Raman instrumentation for identification of β-carotene and mellitic acid in two-component mixtures with halite. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2011; 80:32-35. [PMID: 21296611 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Revised: 12/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Recently, portable Raman instrumentation has been in demand for geosciences and for future planetary exploration for the identification of both organic and inorganic compounds in situ on Earth and on other planetary bodies, especially on Mars. Here we present the results of the analysis of halite/β-carotene and halite/mellitic acid mixtures, performed by miniaturized Raman instrumentation equipped with 785 and 1064 nm excitation. Various proportions of organics in the halite matrix were examined. The lowest concentration of β-carotene detected using the 785 nm laser was 1 mg kg(-1), with slightly better signals observed with shorter exposure times compared with the bench instrument using the same excitation wavelength. Mellitic acid was identified at the concentration level 10 g kg(-1). The 1064 nm excitation provided a lower sensitivity towards low concentration when compared with the 785 nm excitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vítek
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Culka A, Jehlička J, Edwards HGM. Acquisition of Raman spectra of amino acids using portable instruments: outdoor measurements and comparison. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2010; 77:978-983. [PMID: 20863748 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2010.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2010] [Revised: 07/16/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Raman spectra of 13 amino acids: L-alanine, β-alanine, L-asparagine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, glycine, L-methionine, L-proline, L-serine, L-threonine, L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine were acquired outdoors using two portable Raman instruments from the Ahura and Delta Nu manufacturers, both with 785 nm laser excitation. Both instruments provide quality Raman spectra with nevertheless a variable dependence upon the prevailing experimental conditions. The data acquired in these experiments will inform the selection of suitable Raman spectrometers for the in-field detection of biomolecules of relevance to the search for life signatures spectroscopically in terrestrial extreme environments and in extraterrestrial exploration, especially of planetary surfaces and subsurfaces using robotic instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Culka
- Charles University in Prague, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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Jehlička J, Ozawa M, Slanina Z, [Obar]sawa E. Fullerenes in Solid Bitumens from Pillow Lavas of Precambrian Age (MÍTOV, Bohemian Massif). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1080/10641220009351424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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