Silver-based biohybrids “green” synthesized from Chelidonium majus L.

• An original green bio-design of celandine/nanoAg-based hybrids was described.
• Chlorophyll a embedded into biomimetic membranes was used as an optical probe.
• Biohybrid formation was monitored by exploiting chlorophyll a photonic properties.
• Eco-designed materials showed remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

This paper describes an original bio-design of organic/inorganic hybrid architectures containing biomimetic membranes and celandine–nanoAg for different bioapplications. A simple, time efficient, low-cost and ecofriendly bottom-up procedure was used to build for the first time, celandine/nanoAg-based hybrids. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine bio-inspired lipid bilayers were obtained by thin film hydration method. Chlorophyll a inserted into these liposomes was used as a spectral marker to detect the changes occurred in the artificial membranes. For the first time, silver nanoparticles were eco-synthesized using an aqueous extract of celandine (Chelidonium majus L.). The physical stability of the samples was evaluated in terms of zeta potential. Chlorophyll a photonic properties (based on UV–Vis absorption and emission spectra) were used to monitor the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and of bio-based hybrids. The size of samples was monitored by Dynamic Light Scattering measurements and the morphological aspects were provided by Atomic Force Microscopy analysis. The obtained silver-based biohybrids exhibited high antioxidant activity (98.48%) and strong antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli ATCC 8738 (offering an inhibition zone of 51 mm diameter) and presented good physical stability (zeta potential reached the value of −30.7 mV) as compared to phyto-nanoAg alone.

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