Ultrasonic-assisted, Sargassum ilicifolium (brown marine macroalgae)-mediated biogenic synthesis of CuO nanoparticles incorporated in starch/PVA electrospun nanoscaffolds: In vitro safety and antioxidant efficacy assessment.

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of Sargassum ilicifolium-mediated copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) embedded with starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanoscaffolds. UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation through characteristic electronic absorption bands attributed to charge transfer and interband transitions of CuO nanoparticles, while Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified functional groups, including CuO vibrations (2001-599 cm-1) and polymeric interactions (3297-842 cm-1). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed predominantly spherical CuO NPs with uniform distribution and bead-free electrospun nanofibers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the monoclinic phase of CuO NPs, with crystallite sizes calculated using the Scherrer equation. Dynamic Light Scattering showed a Z-average particle size of 108 nm. The starch/PVA/CuO NPs nanoscaffolds exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 39.57 μg/mL (DPPH), 49.56 μg/mL (nitric oxide), and 58.52 μg/mL (superoxide radical), compared to CuO NPs and algal extract. Cytotoxicity assessment demonstrated >100% cell viability at 100 μg/mL, confirming biocompatibility. These findings highlight the potential of CuO NPs-integrated nanoscaffolds in biomedical applications, including antioxidant therapies.