Nanoparticles mimic enzyme to reduce toxins in cigarette smoke

Researchers in Germany have found a way to cut smokers’ exposure to toxic compounds by using copper nanoparticles to mimic the enzyme superoxide dismutase. They used the nanoparticles as catalysts to reduce the volume of reactive oxygen species present in cigarette smoke by passing the smoke through a cigarette filter containing the copper nanoparticles. The nanoparticles eliminated toxic species from cigarette smoke more efficiently than the natural superoxide dismutase enzyme.