Bioactive Properties of a Novel Antibacterial Dye Obtained from Laccase-Mediated Oxidation of 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic Acid

Abstract

Fungal laccase obtained from a <i>Cerrena unicolor</i> strain was used as an effective biocatalyst for the transformation of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid into a green-coloured antibacterial compound, which can be considered as both an antimicrobial agent and a textile dye, simultaneously. The process of biosynthesis was performed in buffered solutions containing methanol as a co-solvent, allowing better solubilisation of substrate. The transformation process was optimised in terms of the buffer pH value, laccase activity, and concentrations of the substrate and co-solvent. The crude product obtained exhibited low cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>, and antioxidant properties. Moreover, the synthesised green-coloured compound proved non-allergenic and demonstrated a high efficiency of dyeing wool fibres.