Primary alcohols as substrates or products in whole-cell biocatalysis: Toxicity for Escherichia coli expression strains

•Four expression strains were investigated for their tolerance towards primary alcohols.•Compound-specific and logPO/W-correlated dose-response behavior was observed.•Initial cultivation conditions for E. coli Top10 markedly affect cell viability.•Increased tolerance was found for high-density cell culture conditions.•1-Hexanol production by recombinant CYP450 in E. coli Top10 was made possible.