MULTIFUNCTIONAL BIOCOMPATIBLE FABRICATION OF NOVEL STARCH/PVA/CuO ELECTROSPUN NANOSCAFFOLDS FROM Sargassum ilicifolium (BROWN MARINE MACROALGAE) EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIDIABETIC ASSESSMENT

Abstract

The present study reports the eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles using Sargassum ilicifolium extract and their integration into starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based electrospun nanoscaffolds for potential antidiabetic applications. The biosynthesized CuO nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and DLS analyses, confirming their nanoscale size, crystalline nature, thermal stability, and functional group interactions. The fabricated nanoscaffolds exhibited a smooth, uniform fibrous architecture with enhanced stability and dispersion of CuO nanoparticles. In vitro biological assays demonstrated significant inhibitory activity of the starch/PVA/CuO-NPs nanoscaffolds against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, indicating strong antidiabetic potential. Compared to individual components, the composite scaffold showed superior bioactivity, likely due to the synergistic effect of the biopolymer matrix and embedded nanoparticles. This green nanotechnological approach provides a promising route for the development of sustainable, biocompatible therapeutic scaffolds. Overall, the study highlights the potential of marine algae-mediated nanoparticle synthesis and biopolymer-based scaffolding for use in diabetes management and other biomedical applications. Further studies, including in vivo evaluations, are essential to validate these findings and explore the clinical applicability of the developed nanomaterials.