Efficient production of biodiesel from waste grease: One-pot esterification and transesterification with tandem lipases

► Novel concept for converting grease to biodiesel using tandem lipases is reported. ► Escherichia coli cells co-expressing CALB and TLL are engineered as highly active catalyst. ► Transforming grease to biodiesel with E. coli dry or wet cells (4 wt%) gives 95% or 87% yield. ► E. coli cells are reusable, retaining 75% productivity after five cycles. ► Efficient one-pot whole-cell biotransformation of grease to biodiesel is achieved.