FABRICATION OF MULTISCALE STARCH/PVA/CuO ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS FROM Sargassum ilicifolium (BROWN MARINE MACROALGAE) EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND WOUND HEALING ASSESSMENT ON HaCaT CELLS

Abstract

This study presents the development of novel bioengineered nanoscaffolds featuring copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) synthesized from algal extracts, specifically Sargassum ilicifolium, for advanced wound healing applications. Marine macroalgae were meticulously processed to yield bioactive-rich extracts, which facilitated the eco-friendly synthesis of CuO NPs with enhanced stability and biocompatibility. The resulting nanoparticles were embedded into starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanofibrous mats, creating composite scaffolds with optimized physicochemical and mechanical properties. Comprehensive characterization—including UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TGA, and zeta potential analysis—confirmed successful nanoparticle integration and scaffold architecture. In vitro wound healing assays utilizing HaCaT keratinocytes demonstrated significantly improved cell migration and wound closure rates for the CuO-loaded scaffolds compared to control treatments, highlighting their potential as bioactive medical dressings. The synergistic combination of marine algal phytochemicals and biogenic CuO NPs in polymeric scaffolds offers a promising, sustainable strategy for accelerating tissue repair and regeneration. This research paves the way for clinically relevant, eco-intelligent wound care solutions based on marine biomaterials and green nanotechnology.