diatom shells

Diatom shells are the siliceous cell walls (frustules) of unicellular microalgae called diatoms. These shells are composed primarily of amorphous silica and have a unique micro-nanoporous structure. After the death of diatoms, their shells accumulate as sediment known as diatomaceous earth or diatomite. Diatom shells have been used in various industrial applications (e.g., filtration, fillers), as well as in dietary supplements and medicine for humans and animals. In biomedical contexts, purified nanoparticles derived from these shells—called "diatomite nanoparticles"—are being explored as innovative drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility and ability to be functionalized for targeted therapy. The porous structure allows them to carry chemotherapeutic agents or other drugs for sustained release while minimizing off-target effects[3][6]. When ingested orally (as food-grade diatomaceous earth), they act mainly by providing a source of bioavailable silica and may bind toxins or parasites in the digestive tract[2][4][5][8]. However, most health claims regarding oral supplementation remain anecdotal with limited clinical evidence.

Other names

diatomaceous earthdiatomitefossil shelldinosaur dustmiracle mineral