Laccase-mediated biografting of p-coumaric acid was carried out on coconut fruit fibers to develop the
new properties. Optimization of reaction parameters was carried out in order to get maximum biograft-
ing of p-coumaric acid. Maximum percentage biografting was observed at 4.5% (w/w) of p-coumaric
acid, 40 U/g of laccase and 24 h incubation time. Grafted fibers were characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD
and TGA techniques in order to check the biografting, change in morphology, crystallinity and thermal
stability, respectively. Moisture retention studies were carried out at 55% and 75% RH and biografting of
p-coumaric acid has developed the hydrophobic nature in coconut fibers. Colony forming unit method
was used to study the antibacterial behavior of fibers againstthe gram negative (Escherichia coli) and gram
positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Laccase-mediated biografting of p-coumaric acid has developed
antibacterial property in the coconut fibers.