The newly isolated Pseudomonas sp. ZUTSKD was evaluated for its ability to degrade nicotine in tobacco waste extract (TWE). The strain degraded nicotine completely when the concentration of reducing sugar in TWE was lower than 8 g L(-1) Yeast extract and phosphate additions improved nicotine degradation in 5% TWE. At 30 degrees C and pH 7.0. with additional 15 g L(-1) Na(2)HPO(4) 6H(2)O and 6 g L(-1) KH(2)PO(4) in 5% TWE, Pseudomonas sp ZUTSKD could degrade 97% of nicotine (1.6 g L(-1)) in 12 h The data showed that strain ZUTSKD could be useful to control the nicotine content in TWE (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved