Preparation of starch-sodium lignosulfonate graft copolymers via laccase catalysis and characterization of antioxidant activity

► Graft copolymers of starch and sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). ► Laccase catalysis in aqueous solution. ► Starch-SLS graft copolymers were effective antioxidants. ► New simple method for preparing starch chemically modified with phenolic compounds. ► Resulting antioxidant polymers have potential in food, cosmetic and packaging applications.