Enzyme discovery and catalytic mechanism insights for mitigating inhibitory effects in tobacco lignocellulose biodegradation: advances, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract

Tobacco biomass constitutes a substantial yet underexploited lignocellulosic resource with considerable potential for bioconversion. However, its efficient enzymatic utilization is constrained by pronounced structural heterogeneity and the presence of diverse non-structural inhibitory components. This review provides a comprehensive overview of tobacco lignocellulose, emphasizing how tissue-specific variations in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other cell wall components influence enzyme accessibility and catalytic efficiency. Particular attention is given to tobacco-derived inhibitory compounds, including alkaloids, polyphenols, and pigments, which impair enzymatic hydrolysis through multiple mechanisms. Unlike previous reviews on lignocellulose hydrolysis, this review further summarizes recent advances in inhibitor transformation, enzyme engineering to enhance inhibitor tolerance and degradation activity, and enzymatic system optimization. Looking forward, the integration of advanced metagenomic screening and artificial intelligence-driven design is expected to accelerate the development of more robust lignocellulolytic enzymes with enhanced resistance to inhibitory compounds. Collectively, these insights provide a mechanistic basis for efficient and sustainable utilization of tobacco biomass.