Laccase-mediated biografting of p-coumaric acid for development of antibacterial and hydrophobic properties in coconut fibers

Laccase-mediated biografting of p-coumaric acid was carried out on coconut fruit fibers to develop the new properties. Optimization of reaction parameters was carried out in order to get maximum biografting of p-coumaric acid. Maximum percentage biografting was observed at 4.5% (w/w) of p-coumaric acid, 40 U/g of laccase and 24 h incubation time. Grafted fibers were characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD and TGA techniques in order to check the biografting, change in morphology, crystallinity and thermal stability, respectively. Moisture retention studies were carried out at 55% and 75% RH and biografting of p-coumaric acid has developed the hydrophobic nature in coconut fibers. Colony forming unit method was used to study the antibacterial behavior of fibers against the gram negative (Escherichia coli) and gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Laccase-mediated biografting of p-coumaric acid has developed antibacterial property in the coconut fibers. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.