LAUSR

A sustainable biomass based nanocomposite hydrogel was formulated, characterised and applied for curcumin delivery. Phyto-synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) employing musk melon (Cucumis melo) seed extract was embedded in the hydrogel matrices and crosslinked using Dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) prepared from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse (SCB). Nanoparticles incorporation enhanced the hydrogel's swelling degree to 4048% at pH 4.0. Also an improved tensile strength of 14.1 ± 0.32 MPa was exhibited by the nanocomposite hydrogel compared to 9.79 ± 0.76 MPa for pure chitosan cellulose hydrogel. Curcumin loading efficiency of 89.68% with around 30% increased loading was exhibited for nanocomposite hydrogel. A Fickian diffusion controlled curcumin release mechanism with maximum release at pH 7.4 was obtained. Synergistic effect on the antimicrobial activity was exhibited against Staphylococcus aureus and Trychophyton rubrum. The in-vitro cytotoxicity studies employing L929 cells and A431 cells demonstrated good biocompatibility and enhanced anticancer activity of curcumin loaded green nanocomposite hydrogel compared to pure curcumin.