Abstract
We have been developing analytical tools for investigation of the hydrothermal origin of life. Conclusively, we succeeded to establish a flow reactor system, which enables monitoring reactions at 400 oC at 30 MPa within 0.002 - 200 sec. In addition, we developed an in situ monitoring system of UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra. However, these tools are not applicable for realistic dynamic hydrothermal reactions in the presence of minerals. Thus, we attempted to develop a mineral-mediated hydrothermal flow reactor system and finally we succeeded to construct a monitoring system at 300 oC within 2 - 200 sec with naturally occurring mineral particles. By using the new reaction tool, we found that the peptide elongation reaction, which was discovered at 2005, is enhanced in the presence of carbonate minerals; the elongation yield reached to ca. 30 %. This new research tool is applicable for reaction analysis and kinetics of different types of hydrothermal reactions in the presence of mineral particles.
