Interaction of glycine and β-alanine with nickel, cobalt and cadmium ferrocyanides

Adsorption of glycine and β-alanine on nickel, cobalt and cadmium ferrocyanides has been studied at neutral pH (7.0 ± 0.01) and room temperature (30 ± 1°C). The progress of adsorption was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance of amino acids solution at their corresponding λmax. At neutral pH, β-alanine was found to more adsorbed than glycine on nickel, cobalt and cadmium ferrocyandies. The Langmuir type of adsorption is followed in the concentration range 10−3 to 10−4 M of glycine and β-alanine solution. Results of the present study suggest the possible importance of double metal ferrocyandides in concentrating biomolecules during the course of chemical evolution on the prebiotic earth. This process could conceivably aid in the formation of polymers in fluctuating environments.