Starch/PVA electrospun nanoscaffolds loaded with ultrasonic-assisted green-synthesis of CuO nanoparticles from marine macroalgae (Gracilaria corticata) extract: Cytotoxicity and antioxidant analysis

▪ Green-synthesized CuO NPs using Gracilaria corticota extract. ▪ Electrospun starch/PVA nanoscaffolds loaded with CuO NPs. ▪ Ultrasonic-assisted extraction enhanced bioactive compound yield. ▪ Scaffolds showed high biocompatibility in 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells. ▪ Strong antioxidant activity confirmed by radical scavenging assays. A sustainable strategy was developed for the fabrication of starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun nanoscaffolds loaded with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted green route using Gracilaria corticata extract. Ultrasonication enhanced phytochemical availability, enabling the formation of phase-pure, nanocrystalline CuO with effective stabilization. The resulting nanoparticles were uniformly incorporated into starch/PVA nanofibers, yielding smooth, bead-free scaffolds with improved thermal stability. In vitro studies using 3T3-L1 fibroblasts demonstrated excellent cytocompatibility, with enhanced metabolic activity relative to controls. The nanoscaffolds also exhibited superior antioxidant activity in DPPH, nitric oxide, and superoxide assays compared to CuO nanoparticles or algal extract alone, indicating a synergistic effect between the biopolymer matrix and CuO nanofillers. This work highlights the novelty of combining ultrasonic-assisted algal green synthesis with electrospun biopolymer scaffolds to obtain a multifunctional, cytocompatible nanocomposite with promising antioxidant properties for future biomedical material development.