Microbial production of 1,3-propanediol: Recent developments and emerging opportunities

1,3-Propanediol. a valuable bifunctional molecule. can be produced from renewable resources using microorganisms. It has several promising properties for many synthetic reactions, particularly for polymer and cosmetic industries By virtue of being a natural product, relevant biochemical pathways can be harnessed into fermentation processes to produce 1,3-propanediol. Various strategies for the microbial production of 1,3-propanediol are reviewed and compared in this article with their promises and constraints Furthermore, genetic and metabolic engineering could significantly improve product yields and overcome the limitations of fermentation technology. Present review gives an overview on 1,3-propanediol production by wild and recombinant strains. It also attempts to encompass the various issues concerned in utilization of crude glycerol for 1,3-propanediol production, with particular emphasis laid oil biodiesel industries This review also summarizes the present state of strategies studied lot the downstream processing and purification of biologically produced 1,3-propanediol The future prospect of 1,3-propanediol and its potential as a major bulk chemical are discussed under the light of the current research (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved