[joshuajoby]

Diatoms are one of the primitive forms of eukaryotic existence. They are unicellular, photosynthetic algae which exists in sea water, fresh water and in normal soil. They belong to class Bacillariophyceae. Due to their abundance and critical role in the food web, they can be referred as ‘production factories’ of the marine world. Examples for diatoms are Cyclotella, Skeletonema, Thalassiosira etc. They form biofilmic layer on water surfaces, these biofilms are rich in carbohydrates. They also play a key role in fixing the Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Cell walls of diatoms are made up of two silicate cylindrical outer and inner valves, called epivalve and hypotheca respectively. Frustules are composed of silica as well as organic compounds like silaffins (protein with silica affinity) and polyamines. After the death of diatoms, decomposition of the internal organelles occurs leaving the glass skeletons (frustules) behind. These remaining of diatoms are called diatomites. Based on the molecular weight of frustules, they are further divided into α-frustulin, β-frustulin, γ-frustulin, δ-frustulin and ε-frustulin.

Frustules can be used for various industrial purposes as Filter materials, Mineral fillers, Biosensors, Biomineralization process, Production of Insulation materials and Abrasives. Several research works are ongoing on the chemical nature of frustules due to its morphological characteristics like porosity, inertness and silicate finishing. Nanotechnology is another area where the silicate frustules inspire due to its nanostructure, self assembling property and uniqueness. Thalassiosira pseudonana was the first diatom to be sequenced. Scientists have predicted T. pseudonana to be the next break through in computer chips. Researches have proven that diatoms, Nitzschia obtusa and Navicula minima acts as bioaccumulator, which accumulated trace amounts of gold.

Biomass production of diatoms benefits health industry in many ways: Diatoms like Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Skeletonema costatum are natural producers of Eicosapentaenoic Acid: type of poly unsaturated omega 3 fatty acid. PUFA s are in demand because of its role in healthcare as it reduces cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders. Arachidonic acid: type of poly unsaturated omega 6 fatty acid, they acts as precursors for Prostaglandins. Acetyl Co A- Carboxylase: An enzyme which is required for the synthesis of Triglycerides, which can be converted into glycerol and monoesters and thus biodiesel production. Fatty acid metabolism in peroxisomes and mitochondria. Integration of urea cycle into Nitrogen metabolism. Amino acids like Aspartic acid, Isoleucine play major role in cosmetic industry. It was thought earlier that they had therapeutical values like Vitamins present. Anyhow, no studies were made to support this hypothesis. It also acts as a forensic investigation tool. The morphology of frustules sheds light on different delivering mechanisms in Genetic engineering.

Its applications are extended to textile industry as decolouring agents. These organisms can be exploited by using the carbohydrates for ethanol production, chlorophyll carotenoid proteins for methane production and natural oils for biodiesel production. Bioremediation property – they are heavy metal resistant hence can be used for bioremediation, researches have shown that Arsenic toxicity were bioremedified using these diatoms. Extensive studies and researches have to be conducted to explore the unseen potentials of diatoms.

[ExpertScie]

Diatoms are the simplest form of single cellular life but had played a great complex role in evolution. They had a unique property of fixing the carbon dioxide which is available in the marine atmosphere Due to this they had being a subject of curiosity for researcher. Recently a new study at Oregon State University had been investigating the role of diatoms in bio-fuel production going back to dinosaur age. This is because they are tiny marine and one of the most pre-historic forms of life. Is has been discovered that they not only play role bio-fuel production but also had lot of contribution in and as semiconductors, biomedical products and health foods. Due to this potential in diatoms, there has been a grant of almost Two Million Dollar from National Science Foundation for four years for doing research and exploiting its applications.
In the life cycle of diatoms they plays an important role as a Carbon dioxide fixer and food generator, when the situation is not favorable for their survival, diatoms die and form a hard mass like which has many tubules like structure and different type of morphology with very minute structured pores formation. This mass get settle on the surface of the earth and form a very important layer which then support in formation of bio-fuel.
With new research going on , now a day’s diatoms are useful in many industries like as insulator, abrasive, in paper manufacturing, in optical image quality development for microscopes, in filtration process of beverages, in refining sweeteners, sugar manufacturing, in preparing the biological indicator and in evaluation water quality. These are the common uses of diatoms but with help of nanotechnology, it is now proved that diatoms can also be used in health industries and in space science as nutrients supplement for astronomers. In nanotechnology it can be use as a vehicle to deliver drug at specific site of infection. Also due its micro tubular structure and dense amount of silica, they are used in making semiconductor. By the use of genetic engineering special group of research is going on to isolate the silica forming proteins which can be used to prepare any kind of shape required. Thus Diatoms are one of the wonderful gifts of natures which prove that small is great!

[RossTaylor2440]

Diatoms have performed a major part in the environment for an incredible number of years as one of the major set of fresh air synthesizers on this planet and as one of the most essential resources of biomass in sea. Formerly, diatoms have been almost specifically restricted to educational analysis with little concern of their realistic uses beyond the most general of programs. Initiatives have been made to identify them as decisively useful in such professional and industrial programs as the as well as fairly neutral features of powers, medication, health meals, bio-molecules, components appropriate to nanotechnology, and bioremediators of infected water. Success in the technology of diatom molecular chemistry such as genome tasks from design creatures, as well as culturing circumstances and photobioreactor performance, may be able to be mixed in the long run to make diatoms a profitable resource of novel ingredients with extensive importance.