meso-2,3-Butanediol is a diol. 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-DB) exists in three stereoisomeric forms: dextro, levo and meso. 2,3-DB is a crucial chemical feedstock and has wide applications in industry. Production of meso-2,3-butanediol under low oxygen condition by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli is reported. 2,3-Butanediol can be converted to 1,3-butadiene, which is used in the preparation of synthetic rubber. meso-2,3-Butanediol is the source of production of 2-butanol by isolates of lactic acid bacteria.