Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Decellularized Brown Seaweed Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

This study developed a sustainable, detergent-free decellularization technique using visible light (red 620 nm and blue 470 nm) and aerated cold water to create acellular scaffolds from brown seaweeds Laminaria digitata and Laminaria saccharina. Histological, SEM, and micro‑CT analyses confirmed removal of cellular debris while preserving extracellular matrix architecture and increasing porosity. Mechanical testing revealed significant increases in tensile strength (L.D.: 3.4 → 8.7 MPa; L.S.: 2.1 → 6.6 MPa) and Young’s modulus (L.D.: 7.5 → 19.2 MPa; L.S.: 8.4 → 16.2 MPa) post‑decellularization, with preserved or enhanced extensibility. These scaffolds demonstrated high fluid absorption (>1000%), hierarchical porosity (50–150 µm), and retained structural integrity, supporting their potential use in wound care and soft‑tissue reinforcement.