1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PD) is one of the important products used in chemical industry, in particular for polyesters
production (e.g. polyethers and polyurethanes). Using crude glycerol for producing 1,3-PD is a good solution from
the economical as well as ecological point of view. Glycerol produced by cleavage of natural fats can be microbially
converted to 1.3-propanediol by, among others, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, and Clostridium
strains. Biotechnological production of 1,3-PD from waste biomass is a promising and attractive alternative
to the traditional chemical synthesis. The production of 1,3-PD by glycerol fermentation was already reported in
1881. The microbiological bioconversion pathway of glycerol to 1,3-PD has been known for long but the microorganisms
taking part in this fermentation are not efficient. In addition, they are pathogenic. Consequently, natural
producers of 1,3-PD are still being sought. In this review we present a historical outline of 1,3-PD production,
as well as the microorganisms and their metabolic pathways that are involved in glycerol fermentation to
1,3-PD.