Laccase‐mediated grafting of polyphenols onto cationized cotton fibers to impart UV protection and antioxidant activities

Abstract

Enzyme-mediated in situ functionalization of cotton fibers was studied using laccase. Caffeic acid and morin were used as reactive phenolic substrates for laccase and further employed to the modification of fiber surfaces. Laccase-mediated oxidation and polymerization reactions of caffeic acid were monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. During the wetting process, initial cationization of fiber surfaces using poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) followed by enzymatic treatment with phenolic substrates resulted ineffective polymer grafting evidenced by high color stability. Changes of fiber surface properties by polymer grafting, such as morphology and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, were tested using scanning electron microscopy and gravimetric absorption tests. An acceptable level of color resistance to washing stress was obtained on caffeic acid treated samples, and a high level of rubbing resistance was obtained on samples treated with both caffeic acid and morin. Regarding the ultraviolet protection test, the cationized and enzymatically functionalized samples showed a very good protection grade (ultraviolet protection factor 5 25). Finally, the antioxidant activity test of the modified fibers presented an improvement for radical scavenging potential due to the phenolic compounds incorporated to cotton fibers by laccase-mediated catalysis.

In Situ Wood Fiber Dyeing Through Laccase Catalysis for Fiberboard Production

“…As previously reported for other fibrous materials ( Jeon et al, 2010 ; Pezzella et al, 2016 ; Kim et al, 2017 ; Agrawal et al, 2018 ; Prajapati et al, 2018 ), radical-induced polymerizations can take place in the fibers of porous materials and stably dye them through both the steric entrapment of the polymer and the chemical bonding occurring between the colored polymers and the fibers. Despite the absence of stirring and the mild reaction conditions, which allow containing the process costs, the color achieved in most of the reactions is homogeneously distributed over the entire surface of the fibers, even on the innermost part of the batch, keeping its “wooden natural” surface ( Figure 6A ).…”

A Putative Lignin Copper Oxidase from Trichoderma reesei

“…The results in this study also introduced for the first time the potential of Tr LOx for the synthesis of new homomolecular or heteromolecular molecules. Current applications in the biopolymer field include dye synthesis [ 121 ], cotton fibers functionalization [ 122 ], and hydrogels production for drug delivery and water treatment [ 123 ]. Such biopolymers are perfect examples of sustainable biotechnological application.…”

Plant Fibers and Phenolics: A Review on Their Synthesis, Analysis and Combined Use for Biomaterials with New Properties

“…Laccases have been used to biograft antimicrobial phenolics on fibers for use as packaging material: both phenolic acids and components of essential oils were tested and showed the desired antimicrobial effect [106]. Laccases were used to functionalize in situ the surface of cotton fibers with polymerized polyphenols (caffeic acid and morin), after deposition of cationic polyelectrolytes [107]. The cationic layer interacts with the negatively charged cellulose fibers and, in its turn, it anchors polymerized polyphenols via electrostatic interactions.…”

“…The cationic layer interacts with the negatively charged cellulose fibers and, in its turn, it anchors polymerized polyphenols via electrostatic interactions. The polymerized polyphenols offer protection against UV [107].…”