High-yield production of meso-2,3-butanediol from cellodextrin by engineered E. coli biocatalysts

► First Escherichia coli biocatalyst to convert cellodextrin to meso-2,3-butanediol (BDO). ► High yield of BDO from glucose and cellodextrin, 88% and 84%, respectively. ► Advantageous use of the engineered biocatalyst in production of BDO from cellulose.