The effect of high-energy environments on the structure of laccase-polymerized poly(catechol)

• Main Author: Jing Su
• Publication Date: 2018
• Other Authors: Castro, T., Noro, Jennifer Martins, Fu, Jiajia, Wang, Qiang, Silva, C., Cavaco-Paulo, Artur
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/55181
• topic: Catechol; Polymerization; Laccase; Ultrasonic bath; High-pressure homogenizer; Science & Technology

The laccase polymerization of catechol was performed using different reactors namely a water bath (WB), an ultrasonic bath (US) and a high-pressure homogenizer (HPH). The total content of free OH and the MALDI-TOF spectra of polymers obtained demonstrated that reactions are favored in the presence of high-energy environments. Higher conversion yields and polymerization degrees (DP) were obtained after polymerization using US or HPH. Molecular dynamic simulation studies supported these findings by revealing a more open enzyme active site upon environments with high molecular agitation. The higher mass transport generated by US and HPH is the main feature responsible for a higher substrate accessibility to the enzyme which contributed to produce longer polymers.