"There has been this sense that because Titan has such abundant organics, there is no shortage of food sources that could sustain life," Affholder said. "Not all of these organic molecules may ...

While all the ingredients are there, the moon's composition likely prevents them from coming together in any meaningful way.

Scientists have known for a while that Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has rivers and seas of liquid methane on its surface.

"We conclude that Titan's uniquely rich organic inventory may not in fact be available to play the role in the moon's ...

"Saturn's largest moon, Titan, stands out as a dynamic, icy oceanic world featuring Earthlike hydrocarbon reservoirs that cycle through its atmosphere, surface, and interior," the authors write.