Production of cis -1,2-dihydrocatechols of high synthetic value by whole-cell fermentation using Escherichia coli JM109 (pDTG601): A detailed study

•Growing conditions for high cell density cultures of E. coli JM109 (pDTG601).•Biotransformation kinetics and effect of bacterial concentration on transformation productivities.•Biotransformation using bi-phasic procedures to decrease the toxic impact of the substrate.•Storage of active biocatalyst as a chemical reagent for dihydroxylation of organic substrates.