Chemists at Purdue University in the US have proved that organic compounds are not formed in water, but as a result of symbiosis of water and air. These researchers' respective work was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The research team found out that the amino acids in the microdroplets are converted to peptides much faster than in conventional solutions because they do not require catalysts, complex organic components, radiation or additional electrical discharge.

As per the researchers, proteins can be obtained from amino acids, and then—the first living cell capable of self-reproduction. According to them, in the past, the most favorable conditions for the synthesis of peptides could have occurred, in particular, on the surface of microscopic droplets formed by sea waves; that is, in fact, on the dividing line between water and air. And it was here that a unique environment could have arisen, which enabled overcoming the energy barrier caused by the condensation and polymerization of biomolecules in water.

As the researchers explained, their discovery can be useful not only as a theoretical explanation, but also for quite practical purposes; for example, to speed up the synthesis of complex organic substances and the development of new medicines.