Z. officinale-doped silver/calcium oxide nanocomposites: Catalytic activity and antimicrobial potential with molecular docking analysis

In this study, green synthesized Ag/CaO combined with a reducing agent based on a plant extract was synthesized. Then, the catalytic and antimicrobial potential of extract doped-Ag/CaO was investigated. Bio-reducing synthesis protocol was followed to fabricate Ag/CaO nanocomposites (NCs) by reducing and capping with Zingiber officinale. A series of characterization techniques was employed to examine structural, morphological and optical properties of Ag/CaO. The experimental findings favored doped nanocomposites for use as effective catalysts that degraded toxic dyes such as methylene blue and ciprofloxacin and exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aueus). Furthermore, a molecular docking investigation determined binding interaction patterns between NCs and targeted cell protein active sites. The obtained results suggested green synthesized Ag/CaO as the most effective inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, DNA gyrase, and FabB enzymes. Findings revealed highly economical, non-toxic, and readily available Z. officinale rhizome extract as a potential capping agent to fabricate Ag/CaO for potential applications to reduce major economic losses in the dairy industry for the first time in Pakistan.