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[Display omitted] Multifunctional micelles that permit both diagnosis and treatment present enormous advantage and potential for precision medicine. However, the inherent complexities and structural instability of these systems often cause unsatisfactory targeting and therapeutic performances. Herein, by ingenious design of a 2,5-bis(2-thienyl)pyrrole (SNS) modifier to covalently link with AS1411 aptamer and lipid segment, a simple strategy is proposed for one-step enzymatic preparation of interlocked aptamer-micelle (IApM) under bio-friendly conditions. The interlocked poly(SNS) skeleton in IApM can not only stabilize the micelle structure but also enhance near-infrared (NIR) absorption ability, thus further enhancing cellular internalization and photothermal therapy. In addition, the multivalent AS1411 aptamers tethered in the hydrophilic shell can simultaneously increase the specific binding affinity of DNA micelles and induce nucleus-targeted accumulation for DNA damage-triggered apoptosis. This DNA micelle achieves "best of both worlds" with enhanced biostability for cellular internalization and improved NIR photothermal conversion efficiency for nucleus-targeted therapy, which provides a promising formulation strategy for precision cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Laccases are blue-multicopper containing enzymes that are known to play a role in the bioconversion of recalcitrant compounds. Their role in free radical polymerization of aromatic compounds for their valorization remains underexplored. In this study, we used a pBAD plasmid containing a previously characterized CotA laccase gene (abbreviated as Bli -Lacc) from Bacillus licheniformis strain ATCC 9945a to express this enzyme and explore its biotransformation/polymerization potential on β-naphthol. Methods: The protein was expressed from TOP10 cells of Escherichia coli after successful transformation of the plasmid. Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used to generate pure protein. The biocatalytic polymerization reaction was optimized based on temperature, pH and starting enzyme concentration. 1H and 13C solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid-state NMR (ssNMR) were used to characterize the formed polymer. A one-gram conversion reaction was done to explore applicability of the reaction in a pilot-scale. Results: The polymerization reaction generated a brown precipitate, and its chemical structure was confirmed using 1H and 13C NMR and FTIR. SsNMR revealed the presence of two different orientational hydroxyl functional groups in the polymer in addition to the presence of a very small amount of ether linkages (< 2%). This analysis elucidated that polymerization occurred mainly on the carbons of the aromatic rings, rather than on the carbons attached to the hydroxyl groups, resulting in a condensed ring or polynuclear aromatic structure. The reaction was optimized, and the highest yield was attained under conditions of 37°C, pH 10 and a starting enzyme concentration of 440 nM in 50 mM phosphate buffer. A one-gram conversion yielded 216 mg of polymer as dry mass. The crystal structure of the enzyme was solved at 2.7 Å resolution using X-ray crystallography and presented with a hexagonal space group. The final structure was deposited in the Protein Databank (PDB) with an ID−9BD5. Discussion: This article provides a green/enzymatic pathway for the remediation of phenolics and their valorization into potential useful polymeric materials. The comprehensive analysis of the formed polymer provides insight into its structure and functional moieties present. Based on the yield of the one-gram conversion, this synthetic method proves useful for a pilot-scale production level and opens opportunities to invest in using this polymer for industrial/environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionLaccases are blue-multicopper containing enzymes that are known to play a role in the bioconversion of recalcitrant compounds. Their role in free radical polymerization of aromatic compounds for their valorization remains underexplored. In this study, we used a pBAD plasmid containing a previously characterized CotA laccase gene (abbreviated as Bli-Lacc) from Bacillus licheniformis strain ATCC 9945a to express this enzyme and explore its biotransformation/polymerization potential on β-naphthol.MethodsThe protein was expressed from TOP10 cells of Escherichia coli after successful transformation of the plasmid. Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used to generate pure protein. The biocatalytic polymerization reaction was optimized based on temperature, pH and starting enzyme concentration. 1H and 13C solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid-state NMR (ssNMR) were used to characterize the formed polymer. A one-gram conversion reaction was done to explore applicability of the reaction in a pilot-scale.ResultsThe polymerization reaction generated a brown precipitate, and its chemical structure was confirmed using 1H and 13C NMR and FTIR. SsNMR revealed the presence of two different orientational hydroxyl functional groups in the polymer in addition to the presence of a very small amount of ether linkages (< 2%). This analysis elucidated that polymerization occurred mainly on the carbons of the aromatic rings, rather than on the carbons attached to the hydroxyl groups, resulting in a condensed ring or polynuclear aromatic structure. The reaction was optimized, and the highest yield was attained under conditions of 37°C, pH 10 and a starting enzyme concentration of 440 nM in 50 mM phosphate buffer. A one-gram conversion yielded 216 mg of polymer as dry mass. The crystal structure of the enzyme was solved at 2.7 Å resolution using X-ray crystallography and presented with a hexagonal space group. The final structure was deposited in the Protein Databank (PDB) with an ID−9BD5.DiscussionThis article provides a green/enzymatic pathway for the remediation of phenolics and their valorization into potential useful polymeric materials. The comprehensive analysis of the formed polymer provides insight into its structure and functional moieties present. Based on the yield of the one-gram conversion, this synthetic method proves useful for a pilot-scale production level and opens opportunities to invest in using this polymer for industrial/environmental applications.

Hydrogels were prepared by Steglich esterification and by crosslinking pre-synthesized poly(sorbitol adipate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) mono methyl ether (PSA-g-mPEG) using different-chain-length-based disuccinyl PEG. PSA and PSA-g-mPEG were investigated for polymer degradation as a function of time at different temperatures. PSA-g-mPEG hydrogels were then evaluated for their most crucial properties of swelling that rendered them suitable for many pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Hydrogels were also examined for their Sol-Gel content in order to investigate the degree of cross-linking. Physical structural parameters of the hydrogels were theoretically estimated using the modified Flory–Rehner theory to obtain approximate values of polymer volume fraction, the molecular weight between two crosslinks, and the mesh size of the hydrogels. X-ray diffraction was conducted to detect the presence or absence of crystalline regions in the hydrogels. PSA-g-mPEG hydrogels were then extensively examined for higher and lower molecular weight solute release through analysis by fluorescence spectroscopy. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was also investigated using a resazurin reduction assay. Experimental results show that PSA-g-mPEG provides an option as a biocompatible polymer to be used for pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article presents the biomimetic helical inclusion of amylose toward hydrophobic polyesters as guests through a vine-twining polymerization process, which has been performed in the glucan phosphorylase (GP)-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization field to fabricate supramolecules and other nanostructured materials. Amylose, which is a representative abundant glucose polymer (polysaccharide) with left-handed helical conformation, is well known to include a number of hydrophobic guest molecules with suitable geometry and size in its cavity to construct helical inclusion complexes. Pure amylose is prepared through enzymatic polymerization of α-d-glucose 1-phosphate as a monomer using a maltooligosaccharide as a primer, catalyzed by GP. It is reported that the elongated amylosic chain at the nonreducing end in enzymatic polymerization twines around guest polymers with suitable structures and moderate hydrophobicity, which is dispersed in aqueous polymerization media, to form amylosic nanostructured inclusion complexes. As the image of this system is similar to how vines of a plant grow around a support rod, this polymerization has been named 'vine-twining polymerization'. In particular, the helical inclusion behavior of the enzymatically produced amylose toward hydrophobic polyesters depending on their structures, e.g., chain lengths and substituents, has been systematically investigated in the vine-twining polymerization field. Furthermore, amylosic supramolecular network materials, such as hydrogels, are fabricated through vine-twining polymerization by using copolymers, where hydrophobic polyester guests or maltooligosaccharide primers are covalently modified on hydrophilic main-chain polymers. The vine-twining polymerization using such copolymers in the appropriate systems induces the formation of amylosic nanostructured inclusion complexes among them, which act as cross-linking points, giving rise to supramolecular networks at the nanoscale. The resulting materials form supramolecular hydrogels, films, and microparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, 4-methylcatechol oligomer has been prepared by using enzyme-catalyzed polymerization in water and preliminary evaluations as stabilizing agent in polypropylene (PP) was performed. In comparison with intrinsic PP, the oxidation onset temperature of the 4-methylcatechol oligomer/PP composite increased by 66°C, and the oxidation induction time increased by 40 min. In addition, the mixing of a 4-methylcatechol oligomer with PP (i.e., in the formation of a 4-methylcatechol oligomer/PP composite) did significantly enhance the long-term stability of PP in a thermal oxidative environment. Moreover, the tensile strength of this composite did not significantly decrease after aging for 800 h in an air atmosphere at 120°C. These results show that the addition of a 4-methylcatechol oligomer will markedly delay the aging and degradation of PP materials, even under extreme conditions. Thus, an enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of phenol compounds may provide a new avenue toward the preparation of novel antioxidants.

Gallic acid was synthesized using a new approach and arranged on three kind of templates (PEG, PEGMDE, Pluronic F68) using an horseradish peroxide (HRP)-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. The polymerization mechanism was investigated in detail using UV-Vis, FT-IR and HPLC-ESI-MS. In addition, the wettability, thermal properties and anti-UV activity of their corresponding dyed silk fabrics were investigated. The results confirmed that during the catalysis of gallic acid by HRP, the templates promoted the enzymatic polymerization in terms of the amount of poly(gallic acid) produced and the degree of polymerization. In addition, the template-treated silk fabrics exhibited enhanced wettability, anti-UV activity and color fastness than fabric treated with poly(gallic acid) in the absence of the templates. Upon analyzing the color depth, the K/S value of the silk fabrics dyed using the templates was significantly higher than that in the absence of the templates. The silk fabric dyed in the presence of templates showed higher fastness in all of the color fastness tests. This may expand the application range of natural phenols for textile dyeing and functionalization, and provide new outlooks for the environmentally friendly production of natural functional fabric.

This study investigates inclusion behavior of amylose towards, poly(β-propiolactone) (PPL), that is a hydrophobic polyester, via the vine-twining process in glucan phosphorylase (GP, isolated from thermophilic bacteria, Aquifex aeolicus VF5)-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization. As a result of poor dispersibility of PPL in sodium acetate buffer, the enzymatically produced amylose by GP catalysis incompletely included PPL in the buffer media under the general vine-twining polymerization conditions. Alternatively, we employed an ethyl acetate–sodium acetate buffer emulsion system with dispersing PPL as the media for vine-twining polymerization. Accordingly, the GP (from thermophilic bacteria)-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization of an α-d-glucose 1-phosphate monomer from a maltoheptaose primer was performed at 50 °C for 48 h in the prepared emulsion to efficiently form the inclusion complex. The powder X-ray diffraction profile of the precipitated product suggested that the amylose-PPL inclusion complex was mostly produced in the above system. The 1H NMR spectrum of the product also supported the inclusion complex structure, where a calculation based on an integrated ratio of signals indicated an almost perfect inclusion of PPL in the amylosic cavity. The prevention of crystallization of PPL in the product was suggested by IR analysis, because it was surrounded by the amylosic chains due to the inclusion complex structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels were prepared by Steglich esterification and by crosslinking pre-synthesized poly(sorbitol adipate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) mono methyl ether (PSA-g-mPEG) using different-chain-length-based disuccinyl PEG. PSA and PSA-g-mPEG were investigated for polymer degradation as a function of time at different temperatures. PSA-g-mPEG hydrogels were then evaluated for their most crucial properties of swelling that rendered them suitable for many pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Hydrogels were also examined for their Sol-Gel content in order to investigate the degree of cross-linking. Physical structural parameters of the hydrogels were theoretically estimated using the modified Flory–Rehner theory to obtain approximate values of polymer volume fraction, the molecular weight between two crosslinks, and the mesh size of the hydrogels. X-ray diffraction was conducted to detect the presence or absence of crystalline regions in the hydrogels. PSA-g-mPEG hydrogels were then extensively examined for higher and lower molecular weight solute release through analysis by fluorescence spectroscopy. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was also investigated using a resazurin reduction assay. Experimental results show that PSA-g-mPEG provides an option as a biocompatible polymer to be used for pharmaceutical applications.

In this study, we successfully polymerized natural phenol (gallic acid, ferulic acid) and pyrrole (Py) monomers by oxidative polymerization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Then, we successfully colored silk fabrics using these chemicals. We analyzed the polymerization mechanism of polyphenol and polypyrrole complexes in detail using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS). In addition, we investigated the electrochemical activity, thermal properties and anti-UV activity of the colored silk fabrics. We found that the oxidative polymerization of phenol and Py on silk fibers under mild reaction conditions using HRP produced technically conductive silk fabrics that combine the superior chemical and physical properties of silk fabrics with superior levels of electrochemical activity and thermal stability. Upon analyzing the color depth of the fabrics, we found that silk fabrics treated with Py have a darker color than silk fabrics treated in the absence of Py. Additionally, the fabrics had slightly different levels of color fastness, but all were within the acceptable range. This technique expands the range of applications of natural phenols for textile dyeing and functionalization as well as providing new prospects for the enzymatically environmentally friendly production of natural functional fabric.

Given the fossil fuel crisis and the steady consumption of finite resources, the use of green polymers is becoming necessary. However, the term “green” describes materials that present green properties (such as biological origin and/or biodegradability) and are produced via sustainable processes conducted under mild conditions and not requiring the use of chemical catalysts, toxic solvents or reagents. Truly green materials must combine these characteristics; consequently, enzymatically synthesized bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers can be characterized as truly green. The present review focuses on the most promising, commercially available aliphatic and alipharomatic polyesters that can be synthesized enzymatically. In particular, the recent developments in the enzymatic polymerization of PLA and PBS and alipharomatic furan-based polyesters (e.g., PBF) are herein analyzed. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that important steps have been taken toward synthesizing sustainably green polymers. Still, it is necessary to evaluate the applied methods regarding their capability to be used on an industrial scale.

Naringenin is one of the flavonoids originating from citrus fruit. This polyphenol is mainly found in grapefruit, orange and lemon. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of flavonoids depend on their structure, including the polymeric form. The aim of this research was to achieve enzymatic polymerization of naringenin and to study the properties of poly(naringenin). The polymerization was performed by methods using two different enzymes, i.e., laccase and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). According to the literature data, naringenin had not been polymerized previously using the enzymatic polymerization method. Therefore, obtaining polymeric naringenin by reaction with enzymes is a scientific novelty. The research methodology included analysis of the structure of poly(naringenin) by NMR, GPC, FTIR and UV-Vis and its morphology by SEM, as well as analysis of its properties, i.e., thermal stability (DSC and TGA), antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC) and antimicrobial properties. Naringenin oligomers were obtained as a result of polymerization with two types of enzymes. The polymeric forms of naringenin were more resistant to thermo-oxidation; the final oxidation temperature To of naringenin catalyzed by laccase (poly(naringenin)-laccase) was 28.2 °C higher, and poly(naringenin)-HRP 23.6 °C higher than that of the basic flavonoid. Additionally, due to the higher molar mass and associated increase in OH groups in the structure, naringenin catalyzed by laccase (poly(naringenin)-laccase) showed better activity for scavenging ABTS+• radicals than naringenin catalyzed by HRP (poly(naringenin)-HRP) and naringenin. In addition, poly(naringenin)-laccase at a concentration of 5 mg/mL exhibited better microbial activity against E. coli than monomeric naringenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidative polymerizations of 2-methyl-m-phenylenediamine were performed to synthesize PMPDIA-A and PMPDIA-B polymers by H2O2 (35% aqueous solution) oxidant in acid-catalyzed ethanol and basic aqueous medium. Furthermore, PMPDIA-E polymer of 2-methyl-m-phenylenediamine was enzymatically synthesized by HRP (horseradish peroxidase) enzyme and H2O2 (35% aqueous solution) in dioxane/0.1 M phosphate tampon solution (pH = 7) mixture. The structures of 2-methyl-m-phenylenediamine and polymers were confirmed by FT-IR, NMR and UV–Vis spectrometer measurements. Molecular weight distributions, surface morphologies, thermal and fluorescence properties of polymers were determined from GPC, SEM, TG-DTA, DSC and fluorescence spectra analyses, respectively. CV and UV–Vis analyses were performed to determine the HOMO–LUMO energy levels, electrochemical (Eg′) and optical (Eg) band gaps values of MPDIA, PMPDIA-E, PMPDIA-A and PMPDIA-B. The electrochemical and optical band gaps values of polymers were lower than MPDIA, because of their polyconjugated structures. According to GPC measurements of polymers, the weight average molecular weights were between 5400 and 10400 Da. The fluorescence quantum yield of PMPDIA-E was calculated to be 9.15% in DMSO solution. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution on PMPDIA-B was studied. Adsorption isotherms and equilibrium adsorption capacities were determined by the fitting of the experimental data to two well-known isotherm models: Langmuir and Freundlich.

We have previously found that a partially 2-deoxygenated (P2D)-amylose, produced by glucan phosphorylase (GP)-catalyzed enzymatic copolymerization, shows hydrophobic nature. Based on this finding, the present study demonstrates hydrophobization of a strong hydrophilic polypeptide, i.e., poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA), by grafting of the P2D-amylose chains via GP-catalyzed enzymatic approach. After maltooligosaccharide primers for the enzymatic reaction were modified on the PGA chain, we performed GP-catalyzed copolymerization of d-glucan with α-d-glucose 1-phosphate as comonomers in different feed ratios from the primers to produce P2D-amylose-grafted PGAs. We analyzed the structures (chemical and crystalline) of the products, precipitated from reaction mixtures, by 1H NMR and powder X-ray diffraction measurements, respectively. The values of the water contact angle of the cast films, prepared from DMSO solutions of the products with different 2-deoxyglucose/glucose unit ratios, were greater than 100°, indicating efficient hydrophobization of the hydrophilic polypeptide by the present approach.

[Display omitted] • Biocompatibile, on-demand drug delivery carriers based on organohydrogels were constructed. • The introduction of 1-tetradecanol considerably enhance the drug loading efficiency. • Organohydogels showed different cumulative release of drugs above and below Tm. Controlled drug release has sparked much attention in the field of drug delivery by prolonging the duration of drug effectiveness and reducing drug toxicity. However, the development of controlled-release drug delivery systems remains a significant challenge, primarily due to inadequate drug compatibility, low biocompatibility, and low response sensitivity of the drug carriers. Herein, an innovative strategy for fabricating multifunctional organohydrogels as drug carrier systems is designed. 1-Tetradecanol/water emulsions, stabilized by cellulose acetoacetate (CAA), are initially prepared. The organohydrogels are fabricated by the ternary enzyme-mediated polymerization of the monomer - containing emulsion. The amphipathy of CAA ensures the stability of emulsions during polymerization, and CAA participates in polymerization as an initiator. Through the reversible crystallization-melting transition of 1-tetradecanol, the drug can be encapsulated in/released from the organohydrogel. Moreover, 1-tetradecanol enhances the bioavailability of water-insoluble drugs without any additional cosolvent. Therefore, biofriendly organohydrogels can serve as ideal dressings with adjustable mechanical properties, effective temperature regulation, and temperature-triggered drug release ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-based star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone)s (S-PCL) derived from sugar-based D-sorbitol as an initiator were obtained via solvent-free enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (eROP). The star S-PCL were converted into UV-curable maleates by employing maleic anhydride for subsequent crosslinking with tri(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether (DVE-3) in the presence of Darocur 1173 as a radical photoinitiator. The kinetics of the UV-induced radical copolymerization was monitored by real-time Fourier-Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy, which revealed that the star S-PCL maleate/divinyl ether system was not scavenged by molecular oxygen (donor/acceptor polymerization). The UV-crosslinking reaction was fast (~10 s) to reach near quantitative conversions. The S-PCL maleate / divinyl ether liquid formulation cast on glass substrates successfully gave films upon UV-crosslinking. The thermal properties of the polymer films and their precursor polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, the crosslinked polymer film demonstrated promising adhesive properties on steel, aluminum and glass substrates.

The oxidative polymerizations of 2-methyl- m -phenylenediamine were performed to synthesize PMPDIA-A and PMPDIA-B polymers by H 2 O 2 (35% aqueous solution) oxidant in acid-catalyzed ethanol and basic aqueous medium. Furthermore, PMPDIA-E polymer of 2-methyl- m -phenylenediamine was enzymatically synthesized by HRP (horseradish peroxidase) enzyme and H 2 O 2 (35% aqueous solution) in dioxane/0.1 M phosphate tampon solution (pH = 7) mixture. The structures of 2-methyl- m -phenylenediamine and polymers were confirmed by FT-IR, NMR and UV–Vis spectrometer measurements. Molecular weight distributions, surface morphologies, thermal and fluorescence properties of polymers were determined from GPC, SEM, TG-DTA, DSC and fluorescence spectra analyses, respectively. CV and UV–Vis analyses were performed to determine the HOMO–LUMO energy levels, electrochemical (E g ′) and optical (E g) band gaps values of MPDIA, PMPDIA-E, PMPDIA-A and PMPDIA-B. The electrochemical and optical band gaps values of polymers were lower than MPDIA, because of their polyconjugated structures. According to GPC measurements of polymers, the weight average molecular weights were between 5400 and 10400 Da. The fluorescence quantum yield of PMPDIA-E was calculated to be 9.15% in DMSO solution. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution on PMPDIA-B was studied. Adsorption isotherms and equilibrium adsorption capacities were determined by the fitting of the experimental data to two well-known isotherm models: Langmuir and Freundlich. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the first enzymatic synthesis leading to several oligomer analogues of poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid]. This biopolymer, extracted from plants of the Boraginaceae family has shown a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial activity. Enzymatic ring opening polymerization of 2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl)oxirane (MDBPO) using lipase from Candida rugosa leads to formation of poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDBPO), with a degree of polymerization up to 5. Catalytic debenzylation of PMDBPO using H2 on Pd/C yields poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)oxirane] (PMDHPO) without loss in molecular mass. Antibacterial assessment of natural polyethers from different species of Boraginaceae family Symhytum asperum, S. caucasicum,S. grandiflorum, Anchusa italica, Cynoglossum officinale, and synthetic polymers, poly[2-methoxycarbonyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)oxirane (PMDMPO) and PMDHPO, reveals that only the synthetic analogue produced in this study (PMDHPO) exhibits a promising antimicrobial activity against pathogenic strains S.aureus ATCC 25923 and E.coli ATCC 25922 the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) being 100 µg/mL.

Polycaprolactone based macrophotoinitiator was synthesized via enzymatic ring-opening polymerization by using commercially available Irgacure-2959 as the nucleophilic initiator and Novozyme-435 as the immobilized lipase catalyst. The macrophotoinitiator was further utilized to photopolymerize benzyl acrylate (BzA), tetrahydrofurfurly acrylate (THFA), 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (Mn ~ 480 g/mole) (PEGMEA-480) under Ar atmosphere. The obtained polymers were characterized by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Size Exclusion Chromatography. The highest dry polymer conversions were achieved with BzA and THFA. However, due to the gel formation during the photopolymerization reactions of HEA and PEGMEA-480, the dry polymer conversions were comparably lower. The photopolymerization product of BzA demonstrated a single glass transition temperature at –6.5 °C. The enzymatically synthesized macrophotoinitiator was shown to be an efficient catalyst for light-induced polymerization of the abovementioned monomers.

Polymer hydrogels are ideal bioprinting scaffolds for cell-loading and tissue engineering due to their extracellular-matrix-like structure. However, polymer hydrogels that are easily printed tend to have poor strength and fragile properties. The gradually polymerized reinforcement after hydrogel printing is a good method to solve the contradiction between conveniently printed and high mechanical strength requirement. Here, a new succinct approach has been developed to fabricate the printable composite hydrogels with tunable strength. We employed the HRP@GOx dual enzyme system to initiate the immediate crosslinking of chondroitin sulfate grafted with tyrosine and the gradual polymerization of monomers to form the composite hydrogels. The detailed two-step gelation mechanism was confirmed by the Fluorescence spectroscopy, Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and Gel permeation chromatography, respectively. The final composite hydrogel combines the merits of enzymatic crosslinking hydrogels and polymerized hydrogels to achieve adjustable mechanical strength and facile printing performance. The dual-enzyme regulated polymer composite hydrogels are the promising bioscaffolds as organoid, implanted materials, and other biomedical applications.

Trends in the dynamically developing application of biocatalysis for the synthesis and modification of polymers over the past 5 years are considered, with an emphasis on the production of biodegradable, biocompatible and functional polymeric materials oriented to medical applications. The possibilities of using enzymes not only as catalysts for polymerization but also for the preparation of monomers for polymerization or oligomers for block copolymerization are considered. Special attention is paid to the prospects and existing limitations of biocatalytic production of new synthetic biopolymers based on natural compounds and monomers from biomass, which can lead to a huge variety of functional biomaterials. The existing experience and perspectives for the integration of bio- and chemocatalysis in this area are discussed.

Bio-based star-shaped poly(e-caprolactone)s (S-PCL) derived from sugar-based D-sorbitol as an initiator were obtained via solvent-free enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (eROP). The star S-PCL were converted into UV-curable maleates by employing maleic anhydride for subsequent crosslinking with tri(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether (DVE-3) in the presence of Darocur 1173 as a radical photoinitiator. The kinetics of the UV-induced radical copolymerization was monitored by real-time Fourier-Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy, which revealed that the star S-PCL maleate/divinyl ether system was not scavenged by molecular oxygen (donor/acceptor polymerization). The UV-crosslinking reaction was fast (~10 s) to reach near quantitative conversions. The S-PCL maleate / divinyl ether liquid formulation cast on glass substrates successfully gave films upon UV-crosslinking. The thermal properties of the polymer films and their precursor polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Finally, the crosslinked polymer film demonstrated promising adhesive properties on steel, aluminum and glass substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new fluorometric method for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) determination. This method is based on the regulation of enzymatically generated poly(thymine) for the preparation of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). 2′-Deoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate (dTTP) serves as the source for polymerization mediated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). This process generates poly(thymine), which acts as the template for synthesis of fluorescent CuNPs. However, if ALP catalyzes the hydrolysis of dTTP, the TdT-mediated polymerization will be disabled. This prevents the formation of CuNPs and causes a drop in fluorescence. The findings were used to design a sensitive and selective fluorometric method for ALP determination. A linear response in the activity range from 0.1 to 20 U L-1 and a limit of quantification of 0.3 U L-1 were obtained. The results indicate that the proposed method can be successfully applied to ALP assay in spiked diluted serum. This demonstrates the method's reliability and practicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report HRP-catalyzed polymerization of Tannic acid (TA) and application of the poly (Tannic acid) (p(TA)) as a versatile platform for covalent immobilization of biomolecules on various electrode surfaces based on electrochemical oxidation of the p(TA) and subsequent oxidative coupling reactions with the biomolecules. We also used this method for capturing cancer cells through a linker molecule, folic acid (FA). Furthermore, we have demonstrated that enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the p(TA)-modified surface could be used for simultaneous electrochemical determination of biologically important electroactive molecules such as ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). This HRP-catalyzed polymerization of TA and p(TA)-mediated surface modification method can provide a simple and new framework to construct multifunctional platforms for covalent attachment of biomolecules and development of sensitive electrochemical sensing devices Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Enzymatic polymerization of tannic acid enables bioconjugation on various electrodes. • Poly(tannic) acid-coated surface was electrochemically activated for bioconjugation. • Selective patterning of multiple biomolecules on different electrode was demonstrated. • It provides a simple, fast, and versatile way to construct multiplex electrochemical biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we attempted to prepare an amylose-oligo[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] (ORHB) inclusion complex using a vine-twining polymerization approach. Our previous studies indicated that glucan phosphorylase (GP)-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization in the presence of appropriate hydrophobic guest polymers produces the corresponding amylose–polymer inclusion complexes, a process named vine-twining polymerization. When vine-twining polymerization was conducted in the presence of ORHB under general enzymatic polymerization conditions (45 °C), the enzymatically produced amylose did not undergo complexation with ORHB. However, using a maltotriose primer in the same polymerization system at 70 °C for 48 h to obtain water-soluble amylose, called single amylose, followed by cooling the system over 7 h to 45 °C, successfully induced the formation of the inclusion complex. Furthermore, enzymatic polymerization initiated from a longer primer under the same conditions induced the partial formation of the inclusion complex. The structures of the different products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, 1H-NMR, and IR measurements. The mechanism of formation of the inclusion complexes discussed in the study is proposed based on the additional experimental results.

[Display omitted] The use of lipases (Candida antarctica Lipase B , CaLB) immobilized on different solid supports for the preparation of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) by esterification of unactivated dicarboxylic acids with 1,4-butanediol is presented. The immobilization of CaLB through absorption or a covalent attachment to different solid supports enhances their use as a catalyst for polycondensation reactions both in solution and in bulk. The results indicated that the different immobilized CaLBs were able to catalyze succesfully the polycondensation of both succinic and adipic acid with 1,4-butanediol, yielding the linear aliphatic polyesters PBS and PBA, respectively, by using a two-step polymerization process. Techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), relative molar mass obtained by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were applied to compare the influence of the solid support on the obtention of PBA and PBS. Herein, it is shown that the nature of the solid support employed on each immobilized CaLB enzyme modifies the activity and effectivity towards polycondensation of PBA and PBS having a strong influence on the molecular weights and crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, rice husk ash, which is a renewable and abundant material, was utilized as a carrier for lipase immobilization for the first time. Poly (ε-caprolactone) synthesis was successfully achieved by the new enzymatic catalyst: Candida antarctica lipase B immobilized onto surface-modified rice husk ashes by covalent binding. It was aimed to obtain optimum polymerization conditions at which highest molecular weight was reached and characterize the polymer produced. Moreover, thermal stability and effectiveness of the new biocatalyst in non-aqueous media were also shown with successful polymerization reactions. In addition, by using the new enzyme preparation, ε-caprolactone was able to be polymerized even at 30°C, which was promising for an energy saving process. Consequently, this work provides a new alternative route for poly (ε-caprolactone) synthesis.

Highlights • Biosynthesis of polydopamine (PDA) by laccase in acid medium shows higher polymerization rate than conventional methods. • The polymerization rate of dopamine markedly depends on enzyme activity, concentration of O 2 , and pH value. • PDA synthesized by laccase is more stable in strong acid and alkali solutions than spontaneously polymerized dopamine. • It is firstly found that there are ether linkages in the structure of PDA synthesized by laccase, as confirmed by FTIR, 13C NMR and XPS spectra. Abstract Polydopamine (PDA) films are generally produced by spontaneous oxidation of dopamine in basic medium, which is a highly convenient method for surface modification. This method is, however, not suitable for alkaline sensitive materials, which have poor stability in alkali medium and need over-long reaction time. Herein, we compared two dopamine polymerization methods: conventional method (induced by O 2 at pH 8.5) and laccase-catalyzed method (at pH 5.5). The comparison showed that the polymerization of dopamine was greatly improved when catalyzed by laccase. The PDA film obtained from laccase-catalyzed method was more uniform and more stable compared with that obtained from the conventional method; the film was able to further react with amine-terminated molecules. As a result of laccase, ether bonds were found between dopamine units of PDA; while such bonds were not observed in film obtained from the conventional method. This work can be a basis for a better understanding of structure and property relationships of PDA coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regardless of the malaria disease risk, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum has an interesting mechanism. During its growth within the red blood cell, toxic free heme is converted into an insoluble crystalline form called the malaria pigment, or hemozoin. In particular, natural hemozoin nanocrystals can provide multiple applications in biosensing fields for health care and diagnosis as similar to artificial metal nanoparticles. In this study, the heme was biologically synthesized and polymerized by Corynebacterium glutamicum and final polymer was applied as a biomimetic conductive biopolymer. The biosynthesized monomer heme by metabolic engineered strain was enzymatically polymerized by an enzyme complex containing two different heme polymerization proteins. Moreover, the electrical conductivities of hemozoin prepared by heme polymerase enzyme complexes were investigated and compared with those of the heme monomer. Because of the synergetic effects of polymerized heme, synthesized artificial nanocrystals exhibited a greater conductive property than a heme monomer. As a result of their surpassing properties, developed novel magnetoelectric nanocrystals could be motivated as smaller scale electronic devices with advanced properties. Thus, these results will open a brand new field in the frontier of the heme detoxification mechanism of the malaria parasite and its biomimetic application as advanced nanomaterials for biological and biomedical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ε-caprolactone (CL) has been enzymatically polymerized using α-amino acids based on sulfur (methionine and cysteine) as (co-)initiators and immobilized lipase B of Candida antarctica (CALB) as biocatalyst. In-depth characterizations allowed determining the corresponding involved mechanisms and the polymers thermal properties. Two synthetic strategies were tested, a first one with direct polymerization of CL with the native amino acids and a second one involving the use of an amino acid with protected functional groups. The first route showed that mainly polycaprolactone (PCL) homopolymer could be obtained and highlighted the lack of reactivity of the unmodified amino acids due to poor solubility and affinity with the lipase active site. The second strategy based on protected cysteine showed higher monomer conversion, with the amino acids acting as (co-)initiators, but their insertion along the PCL chains remained limited to chain endcapping. These results thus showed the possibility to synthesize enzymatically polycaprolactone-based chains bearing amino acids units. Such cysteine endcapped PCL materials could then find application in the biomedical field. Indeed, subsequent functionalization of these polyesters with drugs or bioactive molecules can be obtained, by derivatization of the amino acids, after removal of the protecting group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent conjugated materials exhibiting reasonable biocompatibility that are capable of interacting with biological molecules are of interest for bio-sensing and imaging applications. Traditional approaches do not allow for the synthesis of conjugated materials in the presence of biologically relevant substrates. Further conjugated polymers synthesized using conventional methods are doped and not fluorescent. Here we explore the possibility of synthesizing fluorescent oligomers of indole using enzymes as catalyst under mild conditions. The peroxidase catalyzed coupling reaction presented here creates a photoluminescent material that allows for direct utilization (without purification and separation of the dopant) in biosensing applications. The polymerization reaction proceeds smoothly in just deionized water and ethanol. Monitoring of the absorption and fluorescence spectra over one hour shows that the concentration of both absorbing and emitting species grows steadily over time. The presence of anionic buffers and templates is shown to effectively retard the development of light emitting species and instead leads to the formation of an electrically doped conjugated polymer. Structural characterization through FTIR and 1H-NMR analysis suggests that the oligomer is coupled through the 2 and 3 positions on the indole ring.

In this work the polymerization of catechin, epicatechin, and resveratrol was carried out through a peroxidase oxidation process in order to improve the biological activity of these phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity of the oligomers was evaluated by their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their capacity to chelate metal ions Fe2+ and Cu2+. The antitumor effect of the oligomers was determined by their ability to induce toxicity in the T24 human bladder cancer cell line. By enzymatic peroxidase oxidation, it was possible to produce oligomers of catechin, epicatechin, and resveratrol with antioxidant capacity significantly higher than their preceding monomers. The ROS scavenging capacity of the oligomers was 20 times higher than that of the monomers, while the ability of the oligomers to chelate metal ions increased up to about 1000 times. Our data show the antitumor effect of the oligomers of catechin, epicatechin, and resveratrol in the T24 cell line, which was similar to that observed with cisplatin. Oligomers of catechin, epicatechin, and resveratrol have great potential to be used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases and bladder cancer.

This review presents our researches on the preparation and material application of inclusion complexes that comprises an amylose host and polymeric guests through phosphorylase-catalyzed enzymatic polymerization. Amylose is a well-known polysaccharide and forms inclusion complexes with various hydrophobic small molecules. Pure amylose is produced by enzymatic polymerization by using α-D-glucose 1-phosphate as a monomer and maltooligosaccharide as a primer catalyzed by phosphorylase. We determined that a propagating chain of amylose during enzymatic polymerization wraps around hydrophobic polymers present in the reaction system to form inclusion complexes. We termed this polymerization "vine-twining polymerization" because it is similar to the way vines of a plant grow around a rod. Hierarchical structured amylosic materials, such as hydrogels and films, were fabricated by inclusion complexation through vine-twining polymerization by using copolymers covalently grafted with hydrophobic guest polymers. The enzymatically produced amyloses induced complexation with the guest polymers in the intermolecular graft copolymers, which acted as cross-linking points to form supramolecular hydrogels. By including a film-formable main-chain in the graft copolymer, a supramolecular film was obtained through hydrogelation. Supramolecular polymeric materials were successfully fabricated through vine-twining polymerization by using primer-guest conjugates. The products of vine-twining polymerization form polymeric continuums of inclusion complexes, where the enzymatically produced amylose chains elongate from the conjugates included in the guest segments of the other conjugates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) is a "non-conventional" yeast that is capable of producing important metabolites. One of the most important products that is secreted by this microorganism is lipase, a ubiquitous enzyme that has considerable industrial potential and can be used as a biocatalyst in the pharmaceutical, food, and environmental industries. In this work, Yarrowia lipolytica lipase (YLL) was immobilized on Lewatit and Amberlite beads and is used in the enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters in the presence of different organic solvents. YLL immobilized on Amberlite XAD7HP had the higher protein adsorption (96%) and a lipolytic activity of 35 U/g. Lewatit VPOC K2629 has the higher lipolytic activity (805 U/g) and 92% of protein adsorption. The highest molecular weight (Mn 10,685 Da) was achieved at 90 °C using YLL that was immobilized on Lewatit 1026 with decane as solvent after 60 h and 100% of monomer conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic polymerization of phenols has been investigated extensively over the last decades. However, involving imine functional group in the side chain of an oligophenol and its effect on polymerization is poorly understood. Therefore, the influence of the imine functionality in the side chain of oligophenol for enzymatic polymerization is explored in this work. Ortho -imine substituted phenol, ( E )-2-(( p -tolylimino)methyl)phenol (PTIMP), was enzymatically polymerized using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme in aqueous organic solvents and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) as an oxidant. Different parameters (solvent system, pH and reaction temperature) on polymerization were investigated. EtOH/pH 6.0 buffer (50:50 vol.%) at 25 °C in 24 h under air was found to be the optimum polymerization condition with 65% of yield and M n = 6100 g/mol (DP ≈ 29, PDI = 1.09). Polymerization of PTIMP in the presence of HRP enzyme catalyst leads to the formation of an oligophenol containing phenylene and oxyphenylene repeat units. The resulting oligophenol is soluble in most of the organic solvents. Characterization of oligo(PTIMP) was achieved by NMR, UV–Vis, CV, FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different (co)polyesters, poly(1,4-butylene succinate- ran -2,3-butylene succinate) (PBB’S), were enzymatically copolymerized at different 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO)/2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) molar ratios, with immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB). The synthesized macromolecular architectures were characterized by NMR, SEC, FTIR, WAXS, MALDI-TOF MS, DSC, TGA and specific optical rotation. Based on an optimized process, PBB’S copolyesters were synthesized in high yield. A random distribution between both BDOs was obtained along the chain. M w ‾ decreased with increasing 2,3-BDO content, from 26 to 6 kg/mol. The specific optical rotation decreased linearly with decreasing 2,3-BDO content, and can be used as a characterization technique to determine PBB’S composition. DSC results showed that an increase in 2,3-BDO content raised the Tg and reduced the degree of crystallinity, leading to amorphous materials for 2,3-BDO content higher than 47 mol.%. Synthesized copolyesters exhibited a good thermal stability, higher than 250 °C, with a degradation profile depending on the 1,4-BDO/2,3-BDO ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzymatically catalyzed synthesis of a copolymer of 4-tert-butylphenol and 4-ferrocenylphenol by horse radish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of H2O2 in a 1,4-dioxane/water system is described. Furthermore, polymer-analogous alkylation of the free hydroxy groups and subsequent click reaction with mono-6-azido-6-desoxy-β-cyclodextrin (N3-β-CD) was carried out. The formation of inter- and intramolecular inclusion complexes was investigated by DLS measurement.

The compound 5-aminoquinoline (AQ) was treated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and H2O2 in a reaction medium containing a dioxane:phosphate buffer mixture (70:30). Products (OAQ) with a degree of polymerization ranging from 4 to 12 were obtained. 1H NMR, FTIR, UV-vis, SEM, TG-DTA, DSC, XRD analysis, and conductivity measurements were conducted for characterization of OAQ. Compared with a monomer, OAQ showed higher thermal stability. After heating to 1000 °C, 46% of the initial weight of the OAQ remained. The antioxidant efficiencies of the monomer and oligomer were evaluated by the typical spectrophotometric method such as the bleaching of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. OAQ showed improved DPPH activity compared with the AQ monomer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper (Capsicum annum) fruits are rich in flavonoids, which have high antioxidant capacity. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from bell pepper fruit was partially purified and used to polymerize phenolic compounds. Hydrodynamic diameters of the resulting products were analyzed with dynamic light scattering, and their relation to antioxidant capacity studied. Bell pepper PPO catalyzed polymerization of free phenolic compounds, producing 1500 nm aggregates with antioxidant capacity greater than the corresponding monomers. Polymerization was greatest using epicatechin, forming 5000 nm aggregates with antioxidant capacity higher than the monomer. The aggregates produced from ferulic acid exhibited 15 times more antioxidant capacity than the monomer. Quercetin was the least polymerized, but its aggregates still had antioxidant capacity higher than its monomer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, "green" is a hot topic almost everywhere, from retailers to universities to industries; and achieving a green status has become a universal aim. However, polymers are commonly considered not to be "green", being associated with massive energy consumption and severe pollution problems (for example, the "Plastic Soup") as a public stereotype. To achieve green polymers, three elements should be entailed: (1) green raw materials, catalysts and solvents; (2) eco-friendly synthesis processes; and (3) sustainable polymers with a low carbon footprint, for example, (bio)degradable polymers or polymers which can be recycled or disposed with a gentle environmental impact. By utilizing biobased monomers in enzymatic polymerizations, many advantageous green aspects can be fulfilled. For example, biobased monomers and enzyme catalysts are renewable materials that are derived from biomass feedstocks; enzymatic polymerizations are clean and energy saving processes; and no toxic residuals contaminate the final products. Therefore, synthesis of renewable polymers via enzymatic polymerizations of biobased monomers provides an opportunity for achieving green polymers and a future sustainable polymer industry, which will eventually play an essential role for realizing and maintaining a biobased and sustainable society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The F230A mutant of Coprinus cinereus peroxidase (CiP), which has a high stability against radical-inactivation, was previously reported. In the present study, the radical-robust F230A mutant was applied to the oxidative polymerization of phenol. The F230A mutant exhibited better polymerization activities than the wild-type CiP in the presence of water-miscible alcohols i.e., methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol despite its lower stability against alcohols. In particular, the F230A mutant showed a higher consumption of phenol (40%) and yielded phenolic polymer of larger molecular weight (8850 Da) in a 50% (v/v) isopropanol-buffer mixture compared with the wild-type CiP (2% and 1519 Da, respectively). In addition, the wild-type CiP and F230A mutant had no significant differences in enzyme inactivation by physical adsorption on the polymeric products or by heat incubation, and showed comparable kinetic parameters. These results indicate that high radical stability of the F230A mutant and improved solubility of phenolic polymers in alcohol-water cosolvent systems may synergistically contribute to the production of the high molecular weight phenolic polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis, characterization and comparative evaluation of properties of two series of cationic PBS copolyesters bearing respectively ammonium and tributylphosphonium side groups, are reported. The copolyesters with contents in ionic units up to 50 mole-% as well as the fully ionic homopolyesters were prepared by polycondensation in the melt catalyzed by CALB or TBT. Their M n ranged between 20,000 and 5000 g mol −1 depending of composition and the type of ionic group that is involved. All the copolyesters were non-water soluble and showed good thermal stability. They were semicrystalline with melting temperatures and enthalpies decreasing with the ionic contents. The interactions interplayed by the ionic groups restricted largely the molecular mobility and caused a significant increase in the melt viscosity and glass transition temperature of PBS and a decrease in crystallization rate. Both ammonium and phosphonium containing PBS copolyesters were able to be coupled with sulfonated PBS to generate ionic polymer blends with modified crystallizability. The presence of both ammoniums and phosphoniums provided PBS with remarkable antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]