To mimic the lignin polymerization process, mats of bacterial cellulose and of a pectin/cellulosecomposite were used as a host matrix for in vitro polymerization of coniferyl alcohol. A diffusion cellwas used to allow the diffusion of both hydrogen peroxide and coniferyl alcohol into the peroxidaseimpregnated cellulose mats through dialysis membranes. The results indicate that significantpolymerization occurs within the mats. The resulting binary and ternary blends were imaged byscanning electron microscopy (SEM) and characterized by chemical means. The presence of pectininduces a better dispersion of the synthetic lignin in the cellulose network and enhances the proportionof alkyl-aryl-ether in the polymer.Keywords: Lignin model compounds; bacterial cellulose; pectin; scanning electron microscopy;thioacidolysis