Improvement of (R)-carbonyl reductase-mediated biosynthesis of (R)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol by a novel dual-cosubstrate-coupled system for NADH recycling

► Biosynthesis of (R)-PED was improved by a novel dual-cosubstrate-coupled system. ► Isopropanol and glycerol drove the double processes of NADH recycling in vivo. ► Glycerol prevented cells and alleviated the toxicity of isopropanol and acetone. ► There was a cooperative interaction of isopropanol and glycerol for biosynthesis.