Histidine adsorption onto modified montmorillonite under prebiotic chemistry conditions: a thermodynamic and kinetic study

The origin of life from inanimate matter is still an open question, and our knowledge is still very limited. In this sense, prebiotic chemistry seeks to study and understand how chemical reactions may have contributed to the origin of life. Minerals are of great relevance to prebiotic chemistry, as they may have preconcentrated precursors of biomolecules or biomolecules from diluted solutions, provided protection for biomolecules against UV radiation and hydrolysis, catalysing their reactions and played the role of a primitive genetic code. Montmorillonite, a prebiotic mineral, was shown to be able to adsorb adenine and later also histidine. In addition, histidine adsorption did not displace adenine from the montmorillonite. Kinetic experiments showed that using a whole period of time (7 days) it was not possible to adjust the data to any mathematical kinetic model. Thus, the data were separated into four different adsorption ranges: range 1 (0-60 min), range 2 (60-4320 min), range 3 (4320-7200 min) and range 4 (7200-10 080 min). Range 1 showed adsorption that was too fast, meaning no variations in the adsorption data, and the data of range 3 did not fit in any model used in this work. Thus, range 2 (60-4320 min) and range 4 (7200-10 080 min) were analysed. The adsorption kinetics of histidine adsorption indicated two reaction steps, a quick step (60-4320 min), following the pseudo-first-order model, followed by a slower step (7200-10 080 min) of the pseudo-second order. With these results, isotherms were constructed with times of 1 h and 7 days. The results of the quick step (1 h) showed a reaction that was not thermodynamically favoured. For this time range, Gibbs energy values obtained ranged between 5 and 10 kJ mol(-1) at temperatures of 20, 35 and 50 degrees C, and the adsorption occurred due to the balance shift of increase in histidine concentrations. The isotherms of the slow step (7 days) presented negative values, showing a more favourable reaction with Gibbs energy values ranging between -5 and -11 kJ mol(-1). The mathematical modelling of the data indicates that seawater ions are crucial in the adsorption process. Thus, the study provided essential information for prebiotic chemistry, showing that time and the reaction medium should always be taken into account.

Automated summary

The origin of life remains a mystery, with minerals playing a crucial role in prebiotic chemistry, as demonstrated by the adsorption of biomolecules precursors such as adenine and histidine by minerals like montmorillonite. Kinetic experiments show a complex process influenced by time and reaction medium, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in prebiotic chemistry research.