Development and optimization of decellularized seaweed scaffolds for tissue engineering

In this study, the marine red seaweed Devaleraea mollis (commonly known as Pacific dulse) was investigated as a green, sustainable, and animal-free tissue scaffold alternative, owing to its extracellular matrix mimicking properties. A decellularization–recellularization approach was employed to develop cellulose-based scaffolds capable of supporting human cardiomyocyte growth. Native dulse samples were cleaned, dried, and decellularized using varying concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (3%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, and 15%), with Triton X-100 (2%) and NaClO (0.2%). The resulting scaffolds were comprehensively characterized using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to identify the conditions that best preserved the fibrous, honeycombed architecture and cellulose-rich content of the native tissue scaffold. Among all treatments, scaffolds processed with 10%, 12%, and 15% SDS exhibited superior structural integrity and biochemical preservation, emerging as the most effective formulations. These selected scaffolds were then subjected to swelling analysis to evaluate biodegradation behavior, followed by in vitro cell culture to assess biocompatibility. All tested scaffolds demonstrated excellent compatibility with human cardiomyocytes, maintaining high cell viability and proliferation for one week of in vitro culture, as confirmed by SEM and immunohistochemistry. Notably, a 90% scaffold surface coverage by cardiac cells on day 6, accompanied by a 2.5 times normalized cell proliferation, indicated robust cell attachment and proliferation. Collectively, these findings highlight seaweed-derived cellulose as a highly promising, biocompatible, and eco-friendly biomaterial, posing itself as a novel interface for diverse biomedical applications and innovations in sustainable tissue engineering.