RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 Detection of Potential Lipid Biomarkers in Oxidative Environments by Raman Spectroscopy and Implications for the ExoMars 2020-Raman Laser Spectrometer Instrument Performance A1 Carrizo, Daniel A1 Muñoz Iglesias, Victoria A1 Fernández Sampedro, María Teresa A1 Gil Lozano, Carolina A1 Sánchez García, Laura A1 Prieto Ballesteros, Olga A1 Medina García, Jesús A1 Rull Pérez, Fernando K1 Lipid biomarkers—Raman laser spectrometer—Mars exploration—ExoMars 2020 AB The aim of the European Space Agency’s ExoMars rover mission is to search for potential traces of present orpast life in the swallow subsurface (2m depth) of Mars. The ExoMars rover mission relies on a suite ofanalytical instruments envisioned to identify organic compounds with biological value (biomarkers) associatedwith a mineralogical matrix in a highly oxidative environment. We investigated the feasibility of detecting basicorganics (linear and branched lipid molecules) with Raman laser spectroscopy, an instrument onboard theExoMars rover, when exposed to oxidant conditions. We compared the detectability of six lipid molecules(alkanes, alkanols, fatty acid, and isoprenoid) before and after an oxidation treatment (15 days with hydrogenperoxide), with and without mineral matrix support (amorphous silica rich vs. iron rich). Raman andinfrared spectrometry was combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to determine detectionlimits and technical constraints. We observed different spectral responses to degradation depending on thelipid molecule and mineral substrate, with the silica-rich material showing better preservation of organicsignals. These findings will contribute to the interpretation of Raman laser spectroscopy results on coresfrom the ExoMars rover landing site, the hydrated silica-enriched delta fan on Cogoon Vallis (Oxia Planum). PB Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. SN 1531-1074 YR 2020 FD 2020 LK http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/46304 UL http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/46304 LA eng NO Astrobiology, Marzo 2020, Vol. 20, n. 3. p. 405-414. DS UVaDOC RD 19-sep-2024