Characterization of Amino Acid Precursors Formed in Simulated Primitive Environments: Is the Strecker Synthesis a Major Formation Pathway of Prebiotic Amino Acids?

Abstract

It has been believed that major amino acid formation pathway in prebiotic synthesis is the Strecker synthesis. We analyzed amino acid precursors formed by spark discharges in simulated primitive atmospheres and those formed by proton irradiation of simulated interstellar media. It was found that aminoacetonitrile, an intermediate in the Strecker synthesis is not a major glycine precursor in these reactions.