Transketolase-deficient E. coli was constructed to produce d-ribose from xylose. d-Ribose produced in the E. coli was identical to standard d-ribose in HPLC and LC/MS analyses. The transketolase-deficient E. coli was further engineered to uptake glucose and xylose simultaneously for facilitating d-ribose production. The simultaneous uptake of glucose and xylose in the E. coli resulted in a 5-fold improvement of d-ribose production.