Laccase–mediator
systems (LMS) are potential green tools
for oxidative degradation and modification of lignin. Although LMS
convert both phenolic and nonphenolic lignin structures, phenolic
structures are more prone to react. Remarkably, in a previous study
on laccase/HBT treatment of grasses, we observed the accumulation
of p-coumaroyl moieties in residual lignin, even
though such groups are free phenolic structures. To provide more insights
into this apparent paradox, here, we studied the reactivity of p-coumaroyl groups in lignin and model compounds using
HSQC NMR and RP-UHPLC-PDA-MSn, respectively. It was found
that a p-coumaroylated model compound (VBG-pCA), in contrast to its nonacylated analogue, was rapidly
converted by laccase and laccase/HBT, resulting in oxidative coupling
and HBT-mediated degradation, respectively. The high reactivity of
VBG-pCA was related to the phenolic character of
the p-coumaroyl group. Upon laccase/HBT treatment
of two grass lignin isolates, p-coumaroyl groups
accumulated in residual lignin, indicating that p-coumaroyl groups in polymeric lignin display different reactivity
than those in model compounds. On the basis of additional experiments,
we propose that p-coumaroyl groups in lignin polymers
can be oxidized by laccase/HBT but undergo HSQC-undetectable radical
coupling or redox reactions rather than degradation.