Wikipedia

Lycopane

Lycopane (C40H82; 2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyldotriacontane), a 40 carbon alkane isoprenoid, is a widely present biomarker that is often found in anoxic settings. It has been identified in anoxically deposited lacustrine sediments (such as the Messel formation[1] and the Condor oil shale deposit[2]). It has been found in sulfidic and anoxic hypersaline environments (such as the Sdom Formation[3]). It has been widely identified in modern marine sediments, including the Peru upwelling zone,[4] the Black Sea,[5] and the Cariaco Trench.[6] It has been found only rarely in crude oils.[7]

Lycopane
Names
IUPAC name
2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyldotriacontane
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/C40H82/c1-33(2)19-13-23-37(7)27-17-31-39(9)29-15-25-35(5)21-11-12-22-36(6)26-16-30-40(10)32-18-28-38(8)24-14-20-34(3)4/h33-40H,11-32H2,1-10H3
    Key: VZVGMMPGAFGVOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C
Properties
C40H82
Molar mass 563.096 g·mol−1
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Lycopene
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Biological origins edit

The pathway for production of lycopane has not been conclusively identified. There are several theories for its origins/production.

Methanogenic archaea edit

Some of the earliest theories for the biosynthesis of lycopane center around it being anaerobically produced by methanogenic archaea. Lycopane has been observed in recent marine sediments in contexts where methanogenic activity is occurring. In older sediments, methanogenic activity is harder to conclusively determine, as methane can migrate from other layers and not necessarily be a product of that geological time. It is possible that isoprenoid alkanes such as lycopane serve as biomarkers for methanogenesis and methanogenic archaea.[8]

Lycopane has not yet been directly isolated in any biological organism, so its linkage to methanogenic archaea is conjecture. However, the process has been identified in a different isoprenoid alkane: squalane. Squalane was not initially thought to be directly biologically synthesized, but was later determined to be present in archaea.[9]

Some acyclic unsaturated tetraterpenoids (structurally similar to lycopane) have been detected in Thermococcus hydrothermalis, a deep-sea hydrothermal vent archaea. Lycopane has also been found alongside archaeal ethers in certain marine sediments.[10] These findings provide support for a methanogenic origin of lycopane, but it is not conclusive. Furthermore, lycopane has been identified in water columns that contain sulfate, which is potentially an argument against lycopane having a methanogenic origin. Methanogens are generally not widespread in sulfate-rich environments.[11]

Diagenesis of lycopene edit

Lycopane may be sourced from diagenesis of an unsaturated precursor such as lycopene, a carotenoid that is abundantly present in photosynthetic organisms. In cyanobacteria, lycopene can be an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of other carotenoids.[12] Diagenesis, broadly referring to physical and chemical changes that occur while biological material is undergoing fossilization, may include hydrogenation and transformation of unsaturated precursors to alkane derivatives. Some diagenetic time-dependent reduction of double bonds in carotenoids has been observed in marine sediments.[13]

A direct geochemical diagenetic process for the transformation of lycopene to lycopane during sedimentation has not been determined. However, this process has been identified in other carotenoids (e.g. carotene to carotane). Sulfur has been proposed as a general agent in the diagenesis of isoprenoid alkenes to alkanes. A sulfur polymer (with sulfur binding to unsaturated carbons) could eventually yield isoprenoid alkanes, as carbon-sulfur bonds are weaker than carbon-carbon bonds. Some experimental evidence in support of this theory has been gathered, but it has not been demonstrated in any sediment samples.[14]

Marine photoautotrophs edit

It has also been theorized that lycopane is directly synthesized by marine photoautotrophs such as cyanobacteria or green algae. Lycopene is abundantly present in marine photosynthetic organisms; possibly it is the precursor in a lycopene-to-lycopane pathway.[15] The detection of lycopa-14(E),18(E)-diene in the green alga Botryococcus braunii strengthens this theory, as the conversion of lycopadiene to lycopane would be simpler and more feasible than that of lycopene to lycopane.[16]

Measurement techniques edit

 
Mass spectrum of lycopane.

GC/MS edit

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is a common tool for detecting and analyzing biomarkers. Depending on the stationary phase used in the column, lycopane tends to co-elute with the n-C35 alkane.[17] Its tail-to-tail linkage yields diagnostic mass fragments.[18] The mass spectrum has a periodic fragmentation pattern.[19]

Raman spectroscopy edit

Raman spectroscopy, a non-destructive analytical technique with no sample preparation, is a powerful tool for analyzing biomarkers.[20] Lycopene, the unsaturated carotenoid that lycopane may be derived from, has a very characteristic Raman spectrum that is easily distinguishable. The spectrum of lycopane differs by a strong band at 1455 cm−1 (CH2 scissoring), a series of bands from 1390–1000 cm−1 (C-C stretching), and some bands from 1000–800 cm−1 (methyl in-plane rocking and C-H out-of-plane bending).[21]

Stable isotope analysis edit

The amount of carbon-13 present in lycopane found in sediment can give indications of its producer, particularly differentiating between methanogenic and algal origin. Lower levels of 13C suggest that the compound originated in methanogens, while higher levels support an algal origin. The high level of 13C found in the Messel shale lycopane (-20.8‰) suggests an algal producer.[22]

Use as a biomarker (case study: Arabian Sea/Peru Upwelling region) edit

Recent work has proposed elevated levels of lycopane as a proxy for anoxicity. When the C35/C31 n-alkane ratio was calculated both within and outside of the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) in the Arabian Sea, ratios inside of the OMZ were approximately two to three times higher than they were outside of this zone. This increased ratio was determined to be due to the presence of lycopane, which coelutes with C35 n-alkane. Thus, it was determined that the lycopane/C31 ratio is correlated with degree of anoxicity. Similar trends were observed in the Peru Upwelling region. This further solidifies the viability of lycopane abundance as an indicator of oxicity/anoxicity and provides additional support for a methanogenic origin of lycopane.[23]

Astrobiological potential edit

One of the challenges involved in searching for life on other planets is the practical limitations of instrumentation. While GC/MS or NMR may give unequivocal evidence of the existence of biomarkers, it is not practical to include these instruments on highly optimized spacecraft. Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a leading technique due to its sensitivity, miniaturizability, and lack of sample preparation.[24]

Carotenoids have long generated astrobiological interest given their diagnostic Raman spectra, their unlikelihood of being abiotically synthesized, and their high preservation potential.[25][26] Recent work has indicated that the Raman spectrum of lycopane is sufficiently different from that of lycopene. The two molecules are distinguishable. While functionalized carotenoids in themselves are an attractive astrobiological biomarker, detecting their diagenetic products may be equally characteristic of extraterrestrial life. Detection of diagenetically reduced lycopane on other planetary bodies may be an unambiguous indication of life, as diagenesis occurs during biological fossilization.[27]

References edit

  1. ^ Freeman, Katherine H.; Hayes, J. M.; Trendel, Jean-Michel; Albrecht, Pierre (January 1990). "Evidence from carbon isotope measurements for diverse origins of sedimentary hydrocarbons". Nature. 343 (6255): 254–256. Bibcode:1990Natur.343..254F. doi:10.1038/343254a0. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 11536462. S2CID 4307351.
  2. ^ Freeman, K. H. (1992). The carbon isotopic compositions of individual compounds from ancient and modern depositional environments (Thesis).
  3. ^ Grice, Kliti; Schouten, Stefan; Nissenbaum, Arie; Charrach, Josef; Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S. (1998-04-09). "A remarkable paradox: Sulfurised freshwater algal (Botryococcus braunii) lipids in an ancient hypersaline euxinic ecosystem". Organic Geochemistry. 28 (3–4): 195–216. doi:10.1016/S0146-6380(97)00127-7. ISSN 0146-6380.
  4. ^ Farrington, John W.; Davis, Alan C.; Sulanowski, Jacek; McCaffrey, Mark A.; McCarthy, Matt; Clifford, C.H.; Dickinson, Peggy; Volkman, John K. (1988-01-01). "Biogeochemistry of lipids in surface sediments of the Peru Upwelling Area at 15°S". Organic Geochemistry. 13 (4–6): 607–617. doi:10.1016/0146-6380(88)90080-0. ISSN 0146-6380.
  5. ^ Wakeham, Stuart G.; Beier, Joy A.; Clifford, C. Hovey (1991), İzdar, Erol; Murray, James W. (eds.), "Organic Matter Sources in the Black Sea as Inferred from Hydrocarbon Distributions", Black Sea Oceanography, NATO ASI Series, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, pp. 319–341, doi:10.1007/978-94-011-2608-3_20, ISBN 978-94-011-2608-3, retrieved 2021-05-09
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  7. ^ Walters, C. C.; Moldowan, J. M.; Peters, K. E., eds. (2004), "Source- and age-related biomarker parameters", The Biomarker Guide: Volume 2: Biomarkers and Isotopes in Petroleum Systems and Earth History, vol. 2 (2 ed.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 483–607, doi:10.1017/cbo9781107326040.004, ISBN 978-0-521-03998-7, retrieved 2021-05-08
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  12. ^ "Carotenoids | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University". 2017-05-21. Archived from the original on 2017-05-21. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
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  15. ^ Peters, Kenneth E. (2005). The biomarker guide. C. C. Walters, J. M. Moldowan (2 ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-78158-2. OCLC 53331751.
  16. ^ Metzger, P.; Casadevall, E. (1987-01-01). "Lycopadiene, a tetraterpenoid hydrocarbon from new strains of the green alga Botryococcus braunii". Tetrahedron Letters. 28 (34): 3931–3934. doi:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)96423-2. ISSN 0040-4039.
  17. ^ Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S.; Kuypers, Marcel M.M.; Schouten, Stefan; Schulte, Sonja; Rullkötter, Jürgen (2003-04-15). "The lycopane/C31 n-alkane ratio as a proxy to assess palaeoxicity during sediment deposition". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 209 (1–2): 215–226. Bibcode:2003E&PSL.209..215S. doi:10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00066-9. ISSN 0012-821X.
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  19. ^ "2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-OCTAMETHYLDOTRIACONTANE - MS - Spectrum - SpectraBase". spectrabase.com. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  20. ^ Long, D. A. (1977). Raman spectroscopy. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-038675-7. OCLC 2331511.
  21. ^ Marshall, Craig P.; Olcott Marshall, Alison (2010-07-13). "The potential of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of diagenetically transformed carotenoids". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 368 (1922): 3137–3144. Bibcode:2010RSPTA.368.3137M. doi:10.1098/rsta.2010.0016. PMID 20529950. S2CID 10051992.
  22. ^ Freeman, Katherine H.; Hayes, J. M.; Trendel, Jean-Michel; Albrecht, Pierre (January 1990). "Evidence from carbon isotope measurements for diverse origins of sedimentary hydrocarbons". Nature. 343 (6255): 254–256. Bibcode:1990Natur.343..254F. doi:10.1038/343254a0. ISSN 1476-4687. PMID 11536462. S2CID 4307351.
  23. ^ Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S.; Kuypers, Marcel M.M.; Schouten, Stefan; Schulte, Sonja; Rullkötter, Jürgen (April 2003). "The lycopane/C31 n-alkane ratio as a proxy to assess palaeoxicity during sediment deposition". Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 209 (1–2): 215–226. Bibcode:2003E&PSL.209..215S. doi:10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00066-9.
  24. ^ Jorge Villar, Susana E.; Edwards, Howell G. M. (2006-01-01). "Raman spectroscopy in astrobiology". Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 384 (1): 100–113. doi:10.1007/s00216-005-0029-2. ISSN 1618-2650. PMID 16456933. S2CID 22753604.
  25. ^ Baqué, Mickael; Napoli, Alessandro; Fagliarone, Claudia; Moeller, Ralf; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; Billi, Daniela (June 2020). "Carotenoid Raman Signatures Are Better Preserved in Dried Cells of the Desert Cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis than in Hydrated Counterparts after High-Dose Gamma Irradiation". Life. 10 (6): 83. doi:10.3390/life10060083. PMC 7345886. PMID 32521820.
  26. ^ Jehlička, Jan; Edwards, Howell G. M.; Osterrothová, Kateřina; Novotná, Julie; Nedbalová, Linda; Kopecký, Jiří; Němec, Ivan; Oren, Aharon (2014-12-13). "Potential and limits of Raman spectroscopy for carotenoid detection in microorganisms: implications for astrobiology". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 372 (2030): 20140199. Bibcode:2014RSPTA.37240199J. doi:10.1098/rsta.2014.0199. ISSN 1364-503X. PMC 4223861. PMID 25368348.
  27. ^ Marshall, Craig P.; Olcott Marshall, Alison (2010-07-13). "The potential of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of diagenetically transformed carotenoids". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 368 (1922): 3137–3144. Bibcode:2010RSPTA.368.3137M. doi:10.1098/rsta.2010.0016. ISSN 1364-503X. PMID 20529950. S2CID 10051992.
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