SARGASSUM MUTICUM EXTRACT-MEDIATED GREEN SYNTHESIS OF CUO NANOPARTICLES INCORPORATED WITH STARCH/PVA ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS FOR ENHANCED BIOCOMPATIBILITY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Abstract

This study explores the eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using ultrasonic-assisted Sargassum muticum extract, a brown marine alga rich in bioactive compounds. The synthesized CuO NPs were thoroughly characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM and DLS analyses, confirming their nanoscale size, crystallinity, and functional group interactions. These nanoparticles were incorporated into a starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix through electrospinning to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds. SEM images revealed uniform fiber morphology with well-dispersed CuO NPs, while thermal analysis indicated enhanced thermal stability. Zeta potential analysis showed moderate colloidal stability, and in vitro cytotoxicity assays using 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells demonstrated good biocompatibility. Additionally, the nanoscaffolds exhibited significant antioxidant activity, surpassing that of the individual CuO NPs and polymer matrix. The study highlights the potential of marine algae-mediated CuO NPs-loaded biopolymer scaffolds as sustainable, bioactive materials for biomedical applications such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, and drug delivery.