【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】A new method for the biosynthesis of 1,3-PDO developed by Jiangnan University

Thread Content

A new method for the biosynthesis of 1,3-PDO has been developed at Jiangnan University. 3-PDO (1,3-propanediol) is a high-value fine chemical with various applications in fields such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and plastic manufacturing; it can be used to synthesize polyesters and polyurethanes. The chemical synthesis of 1,3-PDO is achieved through the carbonylation of acraldehyde and ethylene oxide, but this method involves the use of toxic substances and requires high pressure. In contrast, microbial fermentation has become an economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly technique for producing 1,3-PDO. September 28, 2025 1,3-PDO (1,3-propanediol) is a high-value fine chemical with various applications in fields such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and plastic manufacturing; it can be used to synthesize polyesters and polyurethanes. The chemical synthesis of 1,3-PDO is achieved through the carbonylation of acraldehyde and ethylene oxide, but this method involves the use of toxic substances and requires high pressure. In contrast, microbial fermentation has become an economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly technique for producing 1,3-PDO. On September 28, 2025, a team from the School of Biological Engineering at Jiangnan University, through systematic metabolic engineering of FMME-KP (a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain), enabled strain FMME-51 to produce 138.6 g/L of 1,3-PDO within 48 hours, achieving a yield of 0.52 g/g, without the need for additional VB12 (using pure glycerol as the substrate). Furthermore, using crude glycerol as a substrate, this strain achieved a 1,3-PDO yield of 122.7 g/L, making it the strain with the highest 1,3-propanediol yield and productivity among microorganisms reported to date. The relevant research findings were published in Metabolic Engineering under the title “Systems metabolic engineering of Klebsiella pneumoniae for high-level 1,3-propanediol production”. By employing a comprehensive approach that combines metabolic engineering, strain evolution, and cofactor engineering, the research team successfully developed an efficient Klebsiella pneumoniae strain for 1,3-propanediol production. This research represents a significant advancement in the field of 1,3-propanediol biosynthesis, achieving unprecedented yields and efficiencies while eliminating the need for expensive VB12, thereby greatly reducing production costs. Furthermore, the engineered strain FMME-51 can efficiently utilize crude glycerol as a substrate, yielding 122.7 g/L of 1,3-propanediol with a yield of 0.42 g/g and a productivity of 2.56 g/(L•h), which represents the highest yield for 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol reported to date. However, conversion efficiency and productivity still need to be further improved, which can be achieved by enhancing glycerol uptake capacity and optimizing fermentation strategies. The research results demonstrate the potential for industrial-scale production of 1,3-PDO and provide a valuable framework for designing non-model microorganisms to synthesize high-value chemicals.