Potential failure of life detection experiments on Mars resulting from adsorption of organic compounds on to common instrument materials

► The search for chemical evidence of life on Mars. ► Searching for organic matter using a surfactant-based aqueous solvent. ► Improving instrument sensitivity by minimising adsorption on to structural materials. ► Includes aluminium, stainless steel, titanium, Viton™ and polytetrafluoroethylene.