Production and productivity of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol by Klebsiella pneumoniae GLC29

•Conversion of glycerol in value-added products has great biotechnological potential.•The bacterium K. pneumoniae GLC29 uses glycerol as sole carbon and energy source.•K. pneumoniae GLC29 efficiently convert glycerol to 1,3-propanediol.•K. pneumoniae GLC29 presents potential for industrial application.

Interest in the development of the bioproduction of 1,3-propanediol, an important chemical intermediate with various industrial applications, has increased in recent years. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most studied and efficient bacteria for 1,3-propanediol production from glycerol. A new isolate of K. pneumoniae was investigated using response surface methodology by central composite design for the production of 1,3-propanediol using glycerol. The effects of pH, temperature, stirrer speed, and glycerol concentration on the production and productivity of 1,3-propanediol were examined. Considering both production and productivity, the best conditions for glycerol conversion in 1,3-propanediol are: a pH range of 6.9–7.1, a temperature between 33 and 38.5 °C, a stirrer speed of 110–180 rpm, and a glycerol concentration of 39–49 g l−1. Batch fermentation carried out at a pH of 7.0, a temperature of 35 °C, a stirrer speed of 150 rpm, and a glycerol concentration of 40 g l−1 produced 20.4 g 1,3-propanediol l−1, with a maximum volumetric productivity of 2.92 g l−1 h−1 and a yield of 0.51 g g−1. The main byproducts were acetic acid (approximately 7.0 g l−1) and formate (approximately 3.7 g l−1). The newly isolated K. pneumoniae GLC29 showed potential for the conversion of glycerol into 1,3-propanediol, with high production and productivity.

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