Eco-designed biohybrids based on liposomes, mint–nanosilver and carbon nanotubes for antioxidant and antimicrobial coating

• Green materials were built of liposomes, silver nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes.
• Chlorophyll a embedded into lipid vesicles was used as a spectral marker.
• Eco-designed bioconstructs exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
• Carbon nanotube-based biohybrids containing cholesterol were strong biocides.

Noncovalent entities (consisting of liposomes, phyto-nanosilver and carbon nanotubes) with interesting properties were constructed by a “green” bottom-up method. Phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the Mentha piperita extract combines the benefits of this herb with the interesting properties of silver. The obtained silver-based biohybrids showed antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that have been considerable improved in the presence of carbon nanotubes. Thus the eco-designed bioconstructs consisting of cholesterol-containing liposomes, phytonanosilver and carbon nanotubes exhibited high antioxidant activity (AA = 90.8%) and have been shown to be strong biocides offering inhibition zone of 25 mm against Escherichia coli and 23 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.

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