In this study, ferulic acid was copolymerized with methacrylic acid to obtain a useful material with both antioxidant and antifungal properties. An ascorbic acid/hydrogen peroxide redox pair was used as a water-soluble and biocompatible initiator system to prime the one-pot polymerization reaction. The obtained material was characterized with gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and fluorescence analyses, and the disposable phenolic group content was determined to verify the insertion of ferulic acid into the polymeric backbone. Finally, the antioxidant and antifungal activities were demonstrated toward the hydroxyl radical and Aspergilliis niger, respectively. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 789-789, 2010