Mini-Review: Potential of Diatom-Derived Silica for Biomedical Applications
Source abstract
Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic microalgae widely distributed in aquatic environments, possessing a porous silica cell wall known as frustule. Diatom frustules are considered as a sustainable source for several industrial applications because of their high biocompatibility and the easiness of surface functionalisation, which make frustules suitable for regenerative medicine and as drug carriers. Frustules are made of hydrated silica, and can be extracted and purified both from living and fossil diatoms using acid treatments or high temperatures. Biosilica frustules have proved to be suitable for biomedical applications, but, unfortunately, they are not officially recognised as safe by governmental food and medical agencies yet. In the present review, we highlight the frustule formation process, the most common purification techniques, as well as advantages and bottlenecks related to the employment of diatom-derived silica for medical purposes, suggesting possible solutions for a large-scale biosilica production.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Diatoms and Algae Research · Protist diversity and phylogeny · Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), Netherland Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Landsdiep 4, 1793 AB Texel, The Netherlands
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