Recent advances in biological production of 1,3-propanediol: new routes and engineering strategies

Abstract

1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) is an important chemical which has been widely used in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and especially polymer industries. The production of 1,3-PDO from renewable feedstocks by green processes is attracting wide attention. Although biological production of 1,3-PDO has been commercialized, the development of more efficient microbial cell factories and new bioprocesses to use diversified cheap feedstocks, eliminate by-product formation, and avoid the requirement of adding expensive cofactors is highly desired to further reduce production costs. This review details recent advancements of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies in the biological production of 1,3-PDO. In particular, we elaborate on the comprehensive development of biological routes for 1,3-PDO production from glycerol, sugars, and other carbon sources using engineered producers, new chassis, and new pathways. The recently developed bioprocesses using microbial consortia and electro-fermentation are also included. The challenges and prospects of current bioproduction systems and their potential industrial applications are discussed.