Polyphenol Conjugates by Immobilized Laccase: The Green Synthesis of Dextran-Catechin

Dextran-catechin conjugate with high functionalization degree is synthesized by using a fully green process based on the chemistry of laccase immobilized on hydrogel film. By UV-induced radical polymerization, the enzyme is immobilized into acrylate hydrogel film resulting in a highly performing biocatalyst (residual catalytic activity of 60% upon immobilization). 1H-NMR studies of dextran-catechin conjugate allow the elucidation of the reaction mechanism and the assessment of the functionalization degree (128 mg of catechin per gram of conjugate). Cell viability studies performed in neuroblastoma cells clearly prove the anticancer potential of the conjugate (IC50 value of 17.03 μg mL−1) while being well tolerated by nonmalignant cells. The efficiency of this conjugate is found to be similar to dextran-catechin, previously prepared by free radical reaction. This novel green approach of synthesis for dextran-catechin opens new perspectives for the environmentally sustainable development of novel natural derived drugs to treat neuroblastoma and other cancers.