Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEPs)

Diatoms secrete sticky and viscous substances called transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs), but the exact reason for their secretion remains enigmatic. During the cultivation experiments, we made several key observations, including the microscopic detection of silicate minerals in the TEP-binding colony of diatoms and the presence of low pH levels around the diatom cells. These observations suggest that TEPs play a role in capturing suspended silicate minerals and subsequently dissolving them, potentially facilitating the assimilation of silica.