Production and particle characterization of the frustules of Cyclotella cryptica in comparison with siliceous earth

Diatoms are photoautotrophic micro-organisms that use inorganic carbon sour ces and light in photosynthesis. Diatom frustules were characterized in ter ms of particle techniques and compared with siliceous earth, i.e. depositio ns of diatoms that have wide technical applications. To obtain enough bioma ss for frustule characterization Cyclotella cryptica has been cultivated in a 15 l photobioreactor under controlled conditions. Native diatom frustule s are characterized by a 1.5-fold lower density and 80-fold higher specific surface than siliceous earth. Therefore, native diatom frustules provides a material with novel properties which might be interesting for special tec hnical application. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.