BIOCOMPATIBLE STARCH/PVA ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS INCORPORATED WITH ULTRASONIC ASSISTED GREEN-SYNTHESISED OF CUO NANOPARTICLES FROM RED MARINE MACROALGAE (GRACILARIA CORTICATA) EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY

Abstract

This study reports the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using Gracilaria corticata red algal extract and their incorporation into starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanoscaffolds for enhanced anticancer applications. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation with a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 291 nm, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed functional groups from algal phytochemicals that stabilized the CuO NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the monoclinic crystalline structure of CuO NPs, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated uniform fiber morphology (90–150 nm) with well-dispersed nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated improved thermal stability, with degradation onset at 265.25°C. Dynamic light scattering (TGA) showed CuO NPs with an average size of 68.6 nm and a zeta potential of -14.11 mV, suggesting moderate colloidal stability. The anticancer efficacy was evaluated against HT-29 (colon cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cells via MTT assay. The starch/PVA/CuO-NPs nanoscaffolds exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of ~10 µg/mL (HT-29) and ~20 µg/mL (MCF-7), outperforming standalone CuO NPs (IC50 ~15 µg/mL and ~25 µg/mL, respectively) and algal extract (IC50 ~50 µg/mL and ~40 µg/mL). These results highlight the scaffold’s superior anticancer activity, likely due to synergistic effects between CuO NPs and the polymer matrix. The study demonstrates the potential of biocompatible, algae-mediated nanoscaffolds as a promising platform for cancer therapy, warranting further in vivo exploration.