Mixotrophy in diatoms: Molecular mechanism and industrial potential

Diatoms are microalgae well known for their high variability and primary productivity, being responsible about 20% of the annual global carbon fixation. Moreover, they interesting as potential feedstocks production biofuels high-value lipids carotenoids. exhibit trophic flexibility and, under certain conditions, can grow mixotrophically by combing photosynthesis respiration. So far, only a few species diatoms have been tested mixotrophic metabolism; in some cases, produced more biomass with higher lipid content when grown this condition. Phaeodactylum tricornutum is most studied diatom its metabolism due to available genome sequence molecular tools. However, studies additional needed better understand conservation process industrial applications. Here, we describe photosynthetic respiratory pathways involved mixotrophy provide an overview diatoms. This review also highlights promising areas applications cultivated mixotrophy.