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    Laccase from Aspergillus niger: A novel tool to graft multifunctional materials of interests and their characterization

    Year: 2018

    Journal: Saudi J. Biol. Sci., Volume 25, MAR, page 545–550

    Authors: Iqbal, Hafiz M. N.; Kyazze, Godfrey; Tron, Thierry; Keshavarz, Tajalli

    Organizations: Cavendish Research Scholarship program of the University of Westminster, London UK

    Keywords: Biological polymers; Composite materials; Laccase; Aspergillus niger

    In the present study, we propose a green route to prepare poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [(P(3HB)] grafted ethyl cellulose (EC) based green composites with novel characteristics through laccase-assisted grafting. P(3HB) was used as a side chain whereas, EC as a backbone material under ambient processing conditions. A novel laccase obtained from Aspergillus niger through its heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a green catalyst for grafting purposes without the use of additional initiator and/or cross-linking agents. Subsequently, the resulting P(3HB)-g-EC composites were characterized using a range of analytical and imagining techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra showed an increase in the hydrogen-bonding type interactions between the side chains of P(3HB) and backbone material of EC. Evidently, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a decrease in the crystallinity of the P(3HB)-g-EC composites as compared to the pristine individual polymers. A homogeneous P(3HB) distribution was also achieved in case of the graft composite prepared in the presence of 2,20-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) as a mediator along with laccase as compared to the composite prepared using pure laccase alone. A substantial improvement in the thermal and mechanical characteristics was observed for grafted composites up to the different extent as compared to the pristine counterparts. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of the grafted composites were better than those of the pristine counterparts. (C) 2016 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.
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