Starch is a widespread natural polymer used in healthcare applications due to its low cost and antibacterial properties. The use of starch in its many forms and its sometimes combination with metallic nanoparticles have all contributed to the advancement of biomaterials. However, few studies have been conducted on biocomposites composed of jackfruit starch and silver nanopar-ticles (AgNPs). As a result, this research aims to study the physicochemical, morphological, and cytotoxic features of a Brazilian jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) starch-based scaffold loaded with AgNPs. Gelatinization and chemical reduction were used to synthesize the scaffold and AgNPs, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were utilized to explore the properties. The findings supported the development of anisotropic, stable, monodispersed AgNPs. The presence of AgNPs in the scaffold matrix was revealed by XRD and SEM-EDS. AgNPs were found to modify the crystallinity, roughness, and thermal stability of the scaffold while leaving its chemical and physical characteristics unchanged. Finally, the scaffolds did not show adverse effects on the L929 cells.

Due to the physical, thermal, and biological properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as well as the biocompatibility and environmental safety of the naturally occurring polymeric component, polysaccharide-based composites containing AgNPs are a promising choice for the development of biomaterials. Starch is a low-cost, non-toxic, biocompatible, and tissue-healing natural polymer. The application of starch in various forms and its combination with metallic nanoparticles have contributed to the advancement of biomaterials. Few investigations into jackfruit starch with silver nanoparticle biocomposites exist. This research intends to explore the physicochemical, morphological, and cytotoxic properties of a Brazilian jackfruit starch-based scaffold loaded with AgNPs. The AgNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction and the scaffold was produced by gelatinization. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study the scaffold. The findings supported the development of stable, monodispersed, and triangular AgNPs. XRD and EDS analyses demonstrated the incorporation of silver nanoparticles. AgNPs could alter the scaffold’s crystallinity, roughness, and thermal stability without affecting its chemistry or physics. Triangular anisotropic AgNPs exhibited no toxicity against L929 cells at concentrations ranging from 6.25 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−3 mol·L−1, implying that the scaffolds might have had no adverse effects on the cells. The scaffolds prepared with jackfruit starch showed greater crystallinity and thermal stability, and absence of toxicity after the incorporation of triangular AgNPs. These findings indicate that jackfruit is a promising starch source for developing biomaterials.