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BioImpacts, 2012, 2(2), 83-89
doi: 10.5681/bi.2012.012 http://bi.tbzmed.ac.ir/

Applications of Diatoms as Potential Microalgae in Nanobiotechnology
Ali Akbar Jamali1, Fariba Akbari2, Mohamad Moradi Ghorakhlu3, Miguel de la Guardia4, Ahmad Yari Khosroushahi2,5*
1 2

Department of Bioinformatics, Research Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology (RIPB), Zanjan University, Zanjan, IranResearch Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran 3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran 4 Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain 5 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranARTICLE INFO Article Type: Review Article Article History: Received: 04 April 2012 Revised: 30 April 2012 Accepted: 02 May 2012 ePublished: 12 May 2012 Keywords: Diatoms Bioindicators Biosynthesis Bioremediation Biomineralization

ABSTR ACT

Introduction: Diatoms are single cell eukaryotic microalgae, which present in nearly every water habitat make them ideal tools for a wide range ofapplications such as oil exploration, forensic examination, environmental indication, biosilica pattern generation, toxicity testing and eutrophication of aqueous ecosystems. Methods: Essential information on diatoms were reviewed and discussed towards impacts of diatoms on biosynthesis and bioremediation. Results: In this review, we present the recent progress in this century on the application ofdiatoms in waste degradation, synthesis of biomaterial, biomineralization, toxicity and toxic effects of mineral elements evaluations. Conclusion: Diatoms can be considered as metal toxicity bioindicators and they can be applied for biomineralization, synthesis of biomaterials, and degradation of wastes.

Introduction Diatoms are single cell eukaryotic microalgae, which are found in every habitatwhere water is present. Their abundance and wide distribution make them ideal tools for a wide range of applications both, as fossils and living organisms, (Atazadeh and Sharifi 2010). Examples of their wide range of applications include oil exploration, forensic examination and environmental indication. Today, the major emphasis are focused on their application in nanotechnology and biotechnologyincluding nanofabrication techniques, chemo and biosensing, particle sorting, and control of particles in micro- and nano fluidics and also on their use in analyzing ecological problems; such as climate change, acidification, and eutrophication of aqueous ecosystems (Atazadeh and Sharifi 2010, Atazadeh et al 2007, Dolatabadi and de la Guardia 2011). Diatoms are highly robust organisms, and caninhabit virtually all photic zones from the equator to seemingly inhospitable sea ice where they are highly useful indicators of environmental conditions in their rapid response to environmental changes, including their capacity to react to sea ice

freezing around them with their “natural antifreeze” icebinding proteins (Chen et al 2010). Thus, in all climate zones, diatoms show an exceedinglyhigh degree of flexibility that offer exciting possibilities in biotechnological applications despite challenging conditions. The high degree of complexity and hierarchical structure displayed by diatom silica walls is achieved under mild physiological conditions. The biological processes that generate patterned biosilica are therefore of interest to the emerging field of nanotechnology. Biosilicaand silicon, in their various forms, finds widespread use in electronic, optical, and structural materials. Research on uses of silicon and silica has been intense for decades, raising the question of how much diversity is left for innovation with this element (Dolatabadi and de la Guardia 2011, Losic et al 2009). Silica nanoparticles have proven to be important for several biotechnological and...