Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Application to Life Detection and Chemotaxonomy

Abstract

The pyrograms obtained after controlled pyrolysis and chromatography of microorganisms grown under similar conditions show similarities and distinguishing differences. Four peaks which arise from the pyrolysis of the proteins are indicated as useful biological markers; two of these peaks are useful internal reference peaks to which other peaks are related in time. Different chemical compositions are noted for microorganisms grown in different media; these differences are demonstrated in the pyrograms as well as in the percent of nitrogen and carbon.