Polymerization of bisphenol A by purified laccase from Trametes villosa

The metabolism of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, was studied with a highly purified laccase from the basidiomycete Trametes villosa. The enzyme reaction products ranged widely from water-insoluble to -soluble compounds, one of which was previously identified as 4-isopropenylphenol. H-1 NMR and electron-impact mass spectrum analyses showed that one of the insoluble products was a BPA dimer, 5,5 ' -bis-[1-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1-methyl-ethyl]-biphenyl-2,2 ' -diol. Field-desorption mass spectrum analysis revealed BPA oligomers, some of which contained phenol, within the insoluble fraction. These results indicate that the laccase reaction may contain successive BPA polymerization, followed by either the addition of phenol to the formed oligomers or their decomposition to release 4-isopropenylphenol. (C) 2001 Academic Press.