The amino acid and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compositions of the promptly recovered <scp>CM2</scp> Winchcombe carbonaceous chondrite

The rapid recovery of the Winchcombe meteorite offers a valuable opportunity to study soluble organic matter (SOM) profile in pristine carbonaceous astromaterials. Our interests biologically relevant molecules, amino acids—monomers protein, and most prevalent meteoritic organics—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are addressed by analyzing solvent extracts stone using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. sample contains an acid abundance ~1132 parts-per-billion that is about 10 times lower than other CM2 meteorites. detection terrestrially rare acids, including α-aminoisobutyric (AIB); isovaline; β-alanine; α-, β-, γ-amino-n-butyric acids; 5-aminopentanoic acid, racemic enantiomeric ratios (D/L = 1) observed for alanine isovaline indicate these acids indigenous not terrestrial contaminants. presence predominantly α-AIB consistent with their formation via Strecker-cyanohydrin synthetic pathway. L-enantiomeric excesses previously aqueously altered meteorites were viewed as indicator parent body aqueous processing; thus, ratio Winchcombe, alongside overall high free:total ratio, low concentration suggest analyzed derived from lithology has experienced brief episode(s) alteration. also 2- 6-ring alkylated nonalkylated PAHs. total PAHs (6177 ppb) nonalkylated:alkylated distinct heavily CMs. weak petrographic properties well discrepancies SOM content—a comparable CMs, yet PAH on par less CMs—suggest could represent class weak, poorly lithified been studied.