PERTURBATIONS BIOCHIMIQUES OBSERVEES EN RELATION AVEC L'APPARITION D'UN PHENOMENE AEROSPATIAL NON-IDENTIFIE CHEZ UNE LUZERNE SAUVAGE (Medicago minima)

This report, titled 'Biochemical Perturbations Observed in Relation to the Appearance of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon in Wild Alfalfa (Medicago minima)', documents a scientific investigation conducted by the Biochemistry Laboratory of the French Ministry of Agriculture (INRA) following a UAP incident on January 8, 1981. The incident involved an ovoid object, approximately 3 meters in diameter, which was observed hovering in a garden. The object emitted a slight whistling sound, descended to within one meter of the ground, then rose rapidly to an altitude of 25 meters before moving eastward. A circular trace was discovered at the site, featuring two arcs described as resembling tire tracks, each 40cm long and 10cm wide. The Gendarmerie and GEPAN collected plant samples from the site at various intervals (J+4, J+15, and J+40) to analyze the biochemical impact on the alfalfa. The laboratory analysis focused on the pigment composition of the plants, specifically chlorophylls and carotenoids. The findings revealed significant pigment degradation in samples taken from the center of the trace compared to control samples taken 20 meters away. The author notes a general weakening of pigment content, with chlorophyll A levels reduced by 33%, chlorophyll B by 28%, and pheophytin by 31%. Carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and violaxanthin, were also significantly affected. The report details the chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques used to analyze these samples, including the use of specific solvents and the identification of various molecular derivatives. The author draws comparisons between these findings and previous studies on plant responses to ionizing radiation (specifically Cobalt-60), noting similarities in pigment degradation and the appearance of specific molecular derivatives. The report concludes that the proximity to the 'phenomenon' favored the accumulation of inactive metabolic derivatives and oxidative changes, suggesting a biochemical senescence. The author proposes that these effects might be linked to an energetic field, though emphasizes the need for further study on the same site to confirm these observations.