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Published on: July 20, 2016
Functionalized Tyrosinase-Lignin Nanoparticles as Sustainable Catalysts for the Oxidation of Phenols
Eliana Capecchi1, Davide Piccinino2, Ines Delfino3
1Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy. eliana.capecchi@studenti.unitus.it.
Abstract:
Sustainable catalysts for the oxidation of phenol derivatives under environmentally friendly conditions were prepared by the functionalization of lignin nanoparticles with tyrosinase. Lignin, the most abundant polyphenol in nature, is the main byproduct in the pulp and paper manufacturing industry and biorefinery. Tyrosinase has been immobilized by direct adsorption, encapsulation, and layer-by-layer deposition, with or without glutaraldehyde reticulation. Lignin nanoparticles were found to be stable to the tyrosinase activity. After the enzyme immobilization, they showed a moderate to high catalytic effect in the synthesis of catechol derivatives, with the efficacy of the catalyst being dependent on the specific immobilization procedures.
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