Meteoritic amino acids as chemical tracers of parent body chemistries

Abstract The analysis of the organic matter meteorites made it possible to identify over 70 amino acids (AA), including 8 those found in living organisms. However, their relative abundances vary drastically with type carbonaceous chondrite, even for isomers same chemical formula. In this report we address question whether difference may have its origin stability these according conditions they experienced when were formed and after. To end, rely on fact that most species observed so far interstellar medium (ISM), abundant isomer a given generic formula is stable one (minimum energy principle (MEP)). Using quantum density functional theory (DFT) simulations, investigate lowest alanine (Ala) butyric acid (ABA) neutral, protonated, zwitterionic structures together corresponding nitrile precursors. It shown β-alanine γ-ABA are protonated form whereas α-AA structures. different composition chondrites CIs CMs could be linked context aqueous alterations parent bodies.