Applications of diatoms as potential microalgae in nanobiotechnology.

INTRODUCTION: Diatoms are single cell eukaryotic microalgae, which present in nearly every water habitat make them ideal tools for a wide range of applications such as oil explora-tion, 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 of diatoms in waste degradation, synthesis of biomaterial, biomineraliza-tion, 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.