Recent developments in the microbial production of 1,3-propanediol

1,3-propanediol (PDO) is a valuable chemical monomer to polymerize to polytrimethylene terephthalate with terephthalic acid. Polytrimethylene terephthalate is considered as one kind of prospective new polyester. Production of PDO by microbial fermentation leads to a significantly cost-effective process and decreases nonrenewable resources. This article summarizes the latest developments in the microbial production of PDO, including the selection of high-performance PDO-producing microorganisms, the conversion of crude glycerol derived from biodiesel plants to PDO and different fermentation strategies adopted in the fermentation process. Furthermore, genetic engineering is discussed, a technology that provides a more convenient method to obtain microorganisms with high PDO-producing ability. Microbial production of PDO would directly benefit the environment by reducing the use of fossil fuels and elevating the value of biodiesel production, which has become a hotspot in recent decades.