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Polymer composite has contributed tremendously for energy efficient technologies in automotive and aero industries. Environmental and health concerns related to the carcinogenic nature of artificial fiber in polymer composite needs a retrofit. Eco friendly natural cellulosic fiber extract from the stem of Cissus quadrangularis plant is extensively characterized to consider as a viable alternative for man-made hazardous fibers. Anatomical study, chemical analysis, physical analysis, FTIR, XRD, SEM analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis were done to establish the certainty of using them as reinforcement fiber. Its light weight and the presence of high cellulose content (82.73%) with very little wax (0.18%) provide high specific strength and good bonding properties in composite manufacturing. The flaky honeycomb outer surface revealed through electron microscopy contributes for high modulus in CQ stem fiber and thermo gravimetric analysis ensures thermal stability up to 270 °C, which is within the polymerization process temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Novel natural Cissus quadrangularis root fiber was characterized in this work. [•] Anatomical study, chemical, thermal and mechanical analysis were done. [•] Comprehensive characterization reveals better result. [•] Characterized fiber has the potentiality to replace the harmful artificial fiber. [•] Available in plenty and has the potential for textile and green composite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel “herbal scaffold” (Alg/O-CMC/CQ-E scaffold) was fabricated by incorporating medicinal plant Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) extract with natural biopolymers alginate (Alg) and O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC) by lyophilization technique The prepared composite scaffolds were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Preliminary cytocompatibility studies with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) supports the biocompatible nature of the composite scaffolds. There was a significant difference in initial cell attachment and proliferation on the herbal scaffolds compared to scaffolds fabricated without extract. Moreover, the hybrid scaffold favoured a substantially enhanced differentiation of hMSCs to osteoblasts, even without osteogenic media supplements, followed by increased calcified mineral deposition within two weeks of incubation. Hence, our primary investigation of physico-chemical and biological properties of the herbal scaffolds suggests that this osteoinductive scaffold could serve as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering therapeutics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]