Enhancing the enzymatic synthesis of alkyl esters by coupling transesterification to an efficient glycerol separation system

•The enzyme synthesis of biodiesel was coupled to glycerol separation steps.•A cold trap combined with a resin adsorption column were combined.•Only 0.4% of the total glycerol produced was retained by the enzyme.•The reaction mixture transported the glycerol from the enzyme to the separation system.•Enzyme was preserved from the negative blocking effect of glycerol.