Intercalation of papain enzyme into hydrotalcite type layered double hydroxide

► Synthesis of papain LDH nanohybrids is achieved by controlled co-precipitation. ► Papain enzyme is intercalated into Mg-Al-LDH structure. ► The synthesized Mg-Al-papain-LDH has a layer distance of 5.9 nm. ► Pure papain enzyme can be released by anion-exchange. ► Papain maintains its initial size and activity after releasing from LDH.