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Accelerating Biocatalysis in Interface-Regulated Nano-Bio Hybrid System via Increasing Substrate Accessibility.
Ziyang Xing1, Kailiang Hua1, Rui Li1
1College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial University Key Laboratory of Intelligent Medical Sensing Materials and Devices, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|July 16, 2026
Summary
This study developed a nano-bio hybrid system to improve whole-cell biocatalysis for hydrophobic substrates. Immobilizing bacteria on a dicopper material enhances substrate accessibility and boosts catalysis efficiency over 200%.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Whole-cell biocatalysis faces challenges with hydrophobic substrates due to low solubility and mass transfer limitations.
- These limitations impede efficient substrate uptake and intracellular metabolic processes in microorganisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an interface-regulated nano-bio hybrid system to enhance biocatalysis of hydrophobic substrates.
- To overcome limitations in substrate accessibility and mass transfer at the microorganism interface.
Main Methods:
- Immobilization of *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* (Pas) onto a coordination-engineered dicopper material (DTD-Cu).
- Construction of a confined nano-bio interface (Pas@DTD-Cu) for localized substrate enrichment.
- Evaluation of catalysis efficiency and metabolic flux changes.
Main Results:
- The Pas@DTD-Cu system demonstrated over 200% increased catalysis efficiency compared to free bacteria.
- Stable biocatalytic activity was maintained across a wide pH range (1-11).
- Increased intracellular ATP, total protein, and NADH levels, along with a higher NAD+/NADH ratio, indicated enhanced metabolic flux without pathway alteration.
Conclusions:
- The interface-controlled nano-bio hybrid system effectively enhances biocatalysis of hydrophobic substrates.
- Interfacial regulation, rather than pathway modification, is the primary driver of performance improvement.
- This strategy offers a novel approach for efficient biocatalysis in challenging environments.
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