This paper reports the first application of laccase-mediator systems (LMS) to kenaf pulp. Five natural phenolic compounds (acetosyringone, syringaldehyde, p-coumaric acid, vanillin and acetovanillone) were used as mediators in combination with laccase in an L stage in order to elucidate their effect on delignification. After LMS treatment, pulp samples were subjected to two alkaline treatments (an E or P stage). The results obtained were compared with those provided by the laccase-1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) system. All natural mediators increased kappa number, decreased brightness and changed optical properties of the pulp after the L stage, suggesting that natural mediators tend to couple to fibers during a laccase-mediator treatment. The greatest delignification and bleaching effects after the P stage were obtained with syringaldehyde and acetosyringone, providing an effective means for delignifying kenaf, whereas those based on the other three could be used to functionalize kenaf with a view to obtaining pulp with novel properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.