A high-throughput screening strategy was developed to simplify the selection process for improved mannitol producing strain after chemical mutagenesis. Ethylmethyl sulfonate (EMS) was used as a chemical mutagen to alter the fructokinase-I gene which is an essential enzyme to metabolize fructose for growth. Leuconostoc mesenteroides treated with EMS were plated on the modified MRS solid medium containing fructose as a sole carbon source. Strains showing inhibited growth were primarily selected to evaluate the mannitol producing ability. By applying this strategy, L. mesenteroides ATCC 8293 M1, L. mesenteroides ATCC 9135 M3 and L. mesenteroides D1 M3 showed improvement in mannitol production.