Comparing E. coli mono-cultures and co-cultures for biosynthesis of protocatechuic acid and hydroquinone

•De novo biosynthesis of protocatechuic acid and hydroquinone was achieved using E. coli-E.coli co-cultures.•Biosensor-assisted cell selection was integrated with co-culture engineering to enhance the biosynthesis.•Metabolically engineered co-cultures produced more protocatechuic acid and hydroquinone than the mono-culture controls.