Diatoms as a biotechnological resource for the sustainable biofuel production: a state-of-the-art review

The greenhouse gas emission from fossil fuel and higher economic cost in its transportation are stimulating scientists to explore biomass energy production at the local level. In the present review, the authors have explored the prospects of commercial-scale biofuels production from the microalgal group, diatoms. Insights on suitability of mass cultivation systems for large-scale production of diatoms have been deliberated based on published literature. Diatoms can proliferate extracting nutrients from the wastewater and the same biomass can be harvested for biofuel production. Residues can be further utilized for the formation of other bioproducts and biofertilizers. The residual applications of diatoms from mass culture are estimated to compensate for the additional costs incurred in the removal of impurities. Well-planned research is required to optimize the commercial-scale production of biofuels from diatoms. The aim of this review is therefore, to demonstrate the economically feasible, hygienically safe cultivation of diatoms on nutrients from wastewater, limitations in using diatoms for biofuel production, and how these limitations can be shorted out for optimum utilization of diatom for biofuel production.