SUSTAINABLE GREEN FABRICATION OF STARCH/PVA/CUO ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS FROM ECTOCARPALES (BROWN MARINE MACROALGAE) EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTICANCER POTENTIAL ON HT-29 AND MCF-7 CELLS

Abstract

This research presents the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using Ectocarpales marine algae extract and their integration into starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanoscaffolds. The synthesized CuO NPs and nanoscaffolds were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Dynamic light scattering (DLS), confirming successful nanoparticle formation, crystalline structure, and uniform dispersion within the polymer matrix. The nanoscaffolds exhibited enhanced thermal stability and a porous fibrous morphology, ideal for biomedical applications. Anticancer activity was evaluated against HT-29 and MCF-7 cell lines, showing dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Notably, the starch/PVA/CuO-NPs nanoscaffolds demonstrated significantly higher anticancer efficacy with lower IC₅₀ values compared to CuO NPs and algal extract alone. These results highlight the synergistic potential of combining biogenic CuO NPs with biodegradable polymer scaffolds for targeted cancer therapy. This study underscores the promise of such nanocomposites as advanced therapeutic platforms, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms and in vivo performance.