ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF GREEN SYNTHESIZED CuO NANOPARTICLES LOADED POLYMERIC ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS FROM Sargassum wightii EXTRACT

Abstract

This study investigated the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using Sargassum wightii extract and their incorporation into starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanoscaffolds for antimicrobial applications. The algal extract served as a reducing and stabilizing agent, yielding spherical CuO NPs with high colloidal stability (zeta potential: -120 mV). Characterization via UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the monoclinic crystalline structure of CuO NPs and their uniform dispersion within nanofibrous scaffolds. Antimicrobial testing at 50 µg/mL demonstrated that the CuO NP-loaded scaffolds exhibited superior activity against bacterial (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter koseri) and fungal (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium species) pathogens, with inhibition zones ranging from 19–23 mm, outperforming standalone CuO NPs (14–18 mm) and algal extract (10–15 mm). While less potent than ciprofloxacin (28–33 mm) and voriconazole (26–28 mm), the scaffolds showed enhanced efficacy due to synergistic effects. These findings highlight the potential of eco-friendly CuO NP-based nanoscaffolds as sustainable antimicrobial materials for biomedical applications.