Morphological, Thermal, and Cytotoxicity Features Assessment of Starch–Myristic Acid Complex-Derived Nanostructured Materials

Abstract

The present study investigates the morphological and cytotoxic properties of starch–myristic acid complex (SMC) derivatives. The study attempts to prepare a SMC by frying. By liquid–liquid extraction, starch–myristic acid complex nanostructured materials are isolated. X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy are used to determine the morphology and crystallization of the extract. The study performs various assays to assess the toxicological profile of starch–myristic acid complex-derived nanostructured materials (SMC-NMs), including cellular viability tests, cellular and nuclear morphological examinations, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images reveal nanoscale particles between 30 and 90 nm in water fraction-based SMC-NMs (WSMC-NMs) and 160 and 250 nm in methanol fraction-based SMC-NMs (MSMC-NMs). The WSMC-NMs and MSMC-NMs decrease the cell viability by 77% and 91% at 250 µg mL−1, respectively. The SMC-NMs enhance necrotic cell death by increasing the level of ROS in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The SMC-NMs alter gene expression within 24 h. Gene expression of GSTM3 and GSR has explicitly upregulated in a dose-dependent manner in WSMC-NMs and MSMC-NMs exposed cells. The study finds that nanoscale particles may develop during cooking, increasing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.