Context :

Aims : Formamide ( HCONH _ { 2 } ) is the simplest molecule containing the peptide bond first detected in the gas phase in Orion-KL and SgrB _ { 2 } .
In recent years , it has been observed in high temperature regions such as hot corinos , where thermal desorption is responsible for the sublimation of frozen mantles into the gas phase .
The interpretation of observations can benefit from information gathered in the laboratory , where it is possible to simulate the thermal desorption process and to study formamide under simulated space conditions such as UV irradiation .

Methods : Here , two laboratory analyses are reported : we studied formamide photo-stability under UV irradiation when it is adsorbed by space relevant minerals at 63 K and in the vacuum regime .
We also investigated temperature programmed desorption of pure formamide ice in the presence of TiO _ { 2 } dust before and after UV irradiation .

Results : Through these analyses , the effects of UV degradation and the interaction between formamide and different minerals are compared .
We find that silicates , both hydrates and anhydrates , offer molecules a higher level of protection from UV degradation than mineral oxides .
The desorption temperature found for pure formamide is 220 K. The desorption temperature increases to 250 K when the formamide desorbs from the surface of TiO _ { 2 } grains .

Conclusions : Through the experiments outlined here , it is possible to follow the desorption of formamide and its fragments , simulate the desorption process in star forming regions and hot corinos , and constrain parameters such as the thermal desorption temperature of formamide and its fragments and the binding energies involved . Our results offer support to observational data and improve our understanding of the role of the grain surface in enriching the chemistry in space .