Biocompatibility analysis of Borassus flabellifer biomass-derived nanofibrillated cellulose

The increased awareness about environment conservation and sustainable progress has encouraged the use of agricultural byproducts. Here, we investigated Borassus flabellifer leaf stalk residues as a sustainable precursor for nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) production by sequential process. Alkali pretreatment and bleaching removed hemicellulose and lignin from B. flabellifer leaf stalk. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed the diameter and length of fibrillated cellulose nanostructure as 12-27 nm and 0.5-1 μm, respectively. NFC biocompatibility was analyzed in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using cell viability assay, cellular and nuclear morphology analysis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assessment, and gene expression analysis. NFC showed no significant effect on hMSC viability at high concentration and failed to alter nuclear architecture and MMP. Biocompatibility assessment suggests that NFC is non-toxic and NFC-based films may enhance the adhesion and proliferation of hMSCs, highlighting its potential role as a suitable matrix for stem cell differentiation and biomedical applications.