Behavior of adenine in Na-montmorillonite exposed to gamma radiation: implications to chemical evolution studies
Guzmán, A.; Negrón-Mendoza, A.; Ramos-Bernal, S.
Cellular and Molecular Biology 48(5): 525-528
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5680 PMID: 12146708 Document Number: 545003
Adenine is an important compound in biological systems, such as genetic and energy utilization processes. Adenine is readily formed in prebiotic conditions. Its synthesis and stability in environmental conditions are of paramount importance in chemical evolution processes. Clay minerals might have played an important role in the early Earth. Clays are known to have a high affinity for organic compounds, and they may provide protection to adsorbed molecules against high-energy radiation. The purpose of this work is to test these assumptions. We study the stability of adenine under irradiation, in aqueous solution and also adsorbed in a clay mineral. The recovery of adenine after a gamma irradiation was higher in the system containing clay in relation to a system without clay. Results show that adenine is readily adsorbed in the clay, and that the clay act as surface protector toward the degradation of adenine by the radiation.