In the present study, mutant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae with deletion of the crr gene encoding EIIA(Glc) (a component of the glucose-specific phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent transferase system [PTS]) was prepared. This eliminated the ability of the strain to mediate carbon catabolite repression (CCR). Production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) from glycerol by the crr mutant strain was enhanced (compared to that of the parent) in the presence of glucose. Using molasses as a co-substrate of glycerol, the maximum yield of 1,3-PD was 60.4% greater (81.2 g/l) than that obtained when glycerol was used alone, under optimum fermentation conditions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.