On the possibility of gly and ala amino acids on Titan

Abstract

In view of the possible production of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in Titan's atmosphere, the production of α-amino nitriles, the precursors of glycine and alanine amino acids, is explored in the upper atmosphere of Titan. The presence of glycine and alanine amino acids or their precursor amino nitriles can be used as a diagnostic respectively for the presence or absence of water locally on the surface of Titan.