AbstractAn extracellular alkaline protease-producing Vibrio sp. was isolated from mangrove sediments of Vellar estuary. A 9.36-fold purification was achieved by a three-step purification procedure and the molecular weight of the enzyme was determined as 33 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was active in a broad range of pH (6.0–11.0) and temperature (30–70°C), the optimum being at pH 9.0 and temperature 55°C. The enzyme was stable at alkaline pH range of 9–11 and up to a temperature of 60°C, after incubation for 1 h. Metals like Co2+, Hg2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ inhibited the enzyme activity, whereas Fe2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+ were found to enhance the activity. The protease was found to be highly stable in the presence of oxidizing agents like H2O2, detergents such as SDS and Triton-X-100 and also some of the commonly used commercial detergents. The organic solvents like xylene, isopropanol, hexane and benzene were found to enhance as well as stabilize the enzyme activity. The extracellular production of the enzyme, the pH and thermal stability, and the stability in presence of oxidants, surfactants, commercial detergents and organic solvents, altogether suggest that it can be used as a laundry additive.