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 degrees C, a stirrer speed of 110-180 rpm, and a glycerol concentration of 39-49 gl(-1). Batch fermentation carried out at a pH of 7.0, a temperature of 35 degrees C, a stirrer speed of 150 rpm, and a glycerol concentration of 40 gl(-1) produced 20.4 g 1,3-propanedioll(-1), with a maximum volumetric productivity of 2.92 gl(-1)h(-1) and a yield of 0.51 g g(-1). The main byproducts were acetic acid (approximately 7.0 gl(-1)) and formate (approximately 3.7 gl(-1)). The newly isolated K. pneumoniae GLC29 showed potential for the conversion of glycerol into 1,3-propanediol, with high production and productivity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.