SUSTAINABLE FABRICATION OF STARCH/PVA ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS LOADED WITH ULTRASONIC-ASSISTED Padina tetrastromatica (BROWN MACROALGAE) EXTRACT-MEDIATED GREEN SYNTHESIS OF CuO NANOPARTICLES: PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY

Abstract

This study presents the sustainable fabrication of starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based electrospun nanoscaffolds incorporated with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) synthesized using Padina tetrastromatica (brown macroalgae) extract via an ultrasonic-assisted green method. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized CuO NPs and nanoscaffolds were systematically characterized. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed CuO NP formation with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 273 nm, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis identified functional groups and polymer-metal interactions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the monoclinic tenorite phase of CuO NPs and the semi-crystalline nature of the nanoscaffolds. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging demonstrated a porous, fibrous scaffold structure with uniformly dispersed CuO NPs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated thermal stability up to 300°C, and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed a particle size of 169 nm with moderate colloidal stability (zeta potential: -22.13 mV). The anti inflammatory efficacy was evaluated through protein denaturation and xanthine oxidase inhibition assays, where the starch/PVA/CuO-NP nanoscaffolds exhibited superior activity (83.73% inhibition at 100 µg/mL) compared to free CuO NPs and algal extract, suggesting a synergistic effect. These findings highlight the potential of the developed nanoscaffolds as a biocompatible and anti-inflammatory biomaterial for biomedical applications.