Catalyzes the dye-linked oxidation of primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and the (subsequent) oxidation of the aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Active with primary alcohols, glycerol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol but not with methanol or sugar alcohols such as D-sorbitol. a primary alcohol + 2 oxidized [azurin] = an aldehyde + 2 H(+) + 2 reduced [azurin] Binds 1 PQQ group per subunit. PQQ is inserted between disulfide Cys-138-Cys-139 and the plane of Trp-266. Binds 1 Ca(2+) ion per subunit. Binds 1 heme c group per subunit. Exhibits higher affinity for 1-butanol compared to 1,2-propanediol but inhibited by 10 mM 1-butanol. Optimum pH is 8.0. Monomer. (S+)-propane-1,2-diol is the most effective whereas (R-)-propane-1,2-diol, ethanediol and glycerol are weaker inducers. Belongs to the bacterial PQQ dehydrogenase family.