regeneration. To improve nicotine-to-SP conversion and facilitate multi-enzyme recycling, a SpyCatcher/SpyTag self-assembled cofactor regeneration enzyme scaffold was adopted, in conjunction with AviTag-BirA-mediated biotinylation for cascade enzyme site-specific co-immobilization on streptavidin-coated supports. This proximity-enhanced design promoted efficient cofactor cycling and boosted the nicotine-to-SP conversion to approximately 63%, much higher than the 42.7% achieved by free enzymes. The co-immobilized system also showed improved pH and thermal stability, retaining over 60% of its initial activity after eight reuse cycles. This modular biocatalytic strategy provides a green and promising route for the valorization of nicotine-rich tobacco waste.
Wang et al. (2026) studied this question.