Enzymatic grafting of biopolymers has lately become a focus of green
chemistry technologies due to increased environmental concerns and resulting
legislative constraints. Over the past decade, polymer science has witnessed a surge in
research on enzymes such as laccases and lipases. The goal of this research is to use
these enzymes to graft multifunctional polymers for various applications. In this
context, a number of bio-composites, such as bacterial cellulose (BC), poly3-hydroxybutyrate grafted ethyl cellulose, and keratin-g-ethyl cellulose, were
effectively synthesized using enzyme-based grafting, with laccase and lipase as model
bio-catalysts. Wood preservative made by creating covalent connections between
bioactive compounds and wood using the laccase enzyme. The free-radical
polymerization of aromatic substances, including gallate esters and lignins, is catalyzed
by horseradish peroxidase. To increase the hydrophobicity of the fibers, Dodecyl
Gallate (DG) was grafted onto the surfaces of lignin-rich jute textiles using HRPmediated oxidative polymerization. By using the laccase enzyme, cellulose grafting
with ferulic acid is expected to enhance the mechanical properties of the resultant
biocomposites. Moreover, the low molecular weight phenol and Pycnoporus
cinnabarinus laccase enzyme's ability to biomodify high-content cellulose fibre for use
in making paper. These low-molecular-weight phenols, which are covalently bonded to
flax fibers by laccase treatment, can function as antibacterial agents, resulting in
antimicrobial handsheets. This economical and resilient method offers enormous
potential in the production of cellulose-based functional polymers.
Keywords: Covalent, Enzymatic grafting, Green chemistry, Laccase, Lipase, Polymerization.
