Laccase-mediated oxidation of totarol

In this study, novel dimers of the biologically active phenolic compound totarol were synthesized using the phenol oxidase enzyme laccase, obtained from Trametes pusbescens, in organic solvent medium. Two dimeric products, linked either by carbon-carbon or bycarb on-oxygen bonds, were isolated and characterized. The effect of changes in various parameters such as solvent, temperature, pH and buffer concentration on the conversion of totarol bylacca se was investigated. The nature of the organic solvent, in particular, was found to affect the nature and the ratio of the products obtained.