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The sugar model: catalytic flow reactor dynamics of pyruvaldehyde synthesis from triose catalyzed by poly-l-lysine contained in a dialyzerThe formation of pyruvaldehyde from triose sugars was catalyzed by poly-l-lysine contained in a small dialyzer with a 100 molecular weight cut off (100 MWCO) suspended in a much larger triose substrate reservoir at pH 5.5 and 40 degrees C. The polylysine confined in the dialyzer functioned as a catalytic flow reactor that constantly brought in triose from the substrate reservoir by diffusion to offset the drop in triose concentration within the reactor caused by its conversion to pyruvaldehyde. The catalytic polylysine solution (400 mM, 0.35 mL) within the dialyzer generated pyruvaldehyde with a synthetic intensity (rate/volume) that was 3400 times greater than that of the triose substrate solution (12 mM, 120 mL) outside the dialyzer. Under the given conditions the final yield of pyruvaldehyde was greater than twice the weight of the polylysine catalyst. During the reaction the polylysine catalyst was poisoned presumably by reaction of its amino groups with aldehyde reactants and products. Similar results were obtained using a dialyzer with a 500 MWCO. The dialyzer method of catalyst containment was selected because it provides a simple and easily manipulated experimental system for studying the dynamics and evolutionary development of confined autocatalytic processes related to the origin of life under anaerobic conditions.
Document ID
20040112383
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Weber, A. L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere : the journal of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life
Volume: 31
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0169-6149
Subject Category
Exobiology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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