Synthesis of alkaline protease modified ALPs-V₂O₅/MCM-41 nanocomposite and their multifunctional applications as an efficient photocatalytic, antibacterial and DPPH radicals stabilizing agent

Background: The development of eco-friendly and sustainable nanomaterials is crucial for environmental safety and biomedical applications. This study presents a novel approach to synthesizing vanadium oxide-doped MCM-41 nanocomposites (V₂O₅/MCM-41) using an alkaline protease (ALPs) extracted from Phalaris minor seeds. Method: The ALPs-assisted synthesis method was employed for the first time to fabricate V₂O₅/MCM-41 nanocomposites, and their physicochemical properties were characterized to determine size, morphology, and crystallinity. Significant findings: The synthesized ALPs-V₂O₅/MCM-41 nanocomposites exhibited outstanding photocatalytic performance, achieving 97 % degradation of bromothymol blue (BTB) within 50 min of irradiation. Additionally, the synthesized nanocomposites exhibited strong antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones measuring between 22(±0.3) mm and 31(±0.4) mm under both illuminated and non-illuminated conditions. Moreover, they exhibited remarkable antioxidant properties, with an 88 % scavenging efficacy against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of ALPs-V₂O₅/MCM-41 nanocomposites as a sustainable and multifunctional material for environmental remediation and antimicrobial applications, paving the way for further research in eco-friendly nanotechnology.