SUSTAINABLE GREEN FABRICATION OF STARCH/PVA/CUO-NPS ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS FROM TURBINARIA CONOIDES (BROWN MARINE MACROALGAE) EXTRACT FOR ENHANCED ANTICANCER ACTIVITY ON HT-29 AND MCF-7 CELLS

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach for fabricating starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanoscaffolds integrated with biogenically synthesized copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles derived via ultrasonic-assisted extraction from the brown marine macroalga Turbinaria conoides. Comprehensive physicochemical analyses confirmed successful nanoparticle synthesis and uniform incorporation within the polymer matrix, evidenced by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal stability assessments. The CuO nanoparticles exhibited characteristic monoclinic crystal structures and nanoscale dimensions, while the nanoscaffolds demonstrated enhanced thermal stability and homogenous fibrous morphology. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential studies revealed moderate colloidal stability of CuO NPs. Importantly, the fabricated nanocomposites displayed potent, dose dependent cytotoxicity against HT-29 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, surpassing the effects of both the raw algal extract and CuO nanoparticles alone. These findings underscore the promising potential of the starch/PVA/CuO nanoscaffolds as effective anticancer agents, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic mechanisms and in vivo efficacy for cancer treatment applications.