DIATOM AND ITS EXPANDING RESEARCH HORIZON: A REVIEW

Diatoms are the ubiquitous microalgae present all over the world. They are specialized organisms on the planet with the cell wall composed of opaline-silica ornamented with intricate and striked patterns. They are the most prominent as well as successful photosynthetic lower eukaryotes plays a vital role in light trapping. The cell wall nanostructured frustules enhance the light absorption capacity in the multi-layered materials applied as photoanodes. Frustules, the siliceous porous shells of diatoms possess architectures with considerable mechanical strength. Formation of bio-silica shells, optical and fluidic properties along with their flexibility to convert into various nanomaterials have been studied by different biologists, physicists and chemists respectively. In the process of energy generation, conversion and conservation, diatoms play very significant role. Solar fuel is also one of the emerging solutions for increasing future energy demands and to come across this requirement, photocatalysis with the help of diatom’s frustules is mostly preferred. Lipid production in diatoms becomes prior objective for biotechnologists also triggers the work in metabolic engineering since it can be act as an alternative to fossil fuels. Apart from these, the fields like wastewater management also use diatoms as a unique source. The present article inculcates the diverse usage of diatoms in the fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, environment, biochemistry, biophysics, metabolic engineering and many more. Along with this, the prior focus is on the diatoms as a potential source of nanomaterials, bio-electrolyte and biofuel.