Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 191-201 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 191 Research Insight Open Access Enhancing Postharvest Characteristics in Durian via Genome Editing: Regulation of Pericarp Softening and Shelf-Life Extension Dandan Huang1, Haimei Wang1,2 1 Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China 2 Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: Haimei.wang@hibio.org Molecular Plant Breeding, 2025, Vol.16, No.3 doi: 10.5376/mpb.2025.16.0019 Received: 11 May, 2025 Accepted: 13 Jun., 2025 Published: 21 Jun., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Huang and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the creative commons attribution license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang D.D., and Wang H.M., 2025, Enhancing postharvest characteristics in durian via genome editing: regulation of pericarp softening and shelf-life extension, Molecular Plant Breeding, 16(3): 191-201 (doi: 10.5376/mpb.2025.16.0019) Abstract This study explored the use of CRISPR-mediated gene editing to reduce the softening rate of durian peel and delay senescence, focusing on key targets such as ethylene synthesis pathways (such as ACS2 and ACO1), cell wall degradation enzymes (such as PG, PME, EXP), peel cuticle formation (CER1) and antioxidant pathways (such as SOD, CAT, AOX). Strategies for applying genome editing to durian improvement were proposed, including phenotypic screening of edited lines and mechanistic analysis of how editing regulates the softening process at the molecular level. The potential advantages of breeding harder and more storable durian varieties were also discussed, including reducing postharvest losses, expanding market channels and improving economic benefits. At the same time, the challenges and risks that may be faced in this process were analyzed, such as off-target effects, regulatory barriers and the need to maintain the flavor quality of the fruit. Combined with the molecular biology research results of durian and the successful experience of gene editing in other fruit trees, genome editing technology is expected to become an important tool for improving the postharvest characteristics of durian, which can change the supply chain of durian, extend shelf life and maintain quality, thus benefiting growers, distributors and consumers. Keywords Durian; Postharvest; Fruit Softening; Shelf Life; Genome editing 1 Introduction Durian (Durio zibethinus L.), as one of the important tropical fruits in the Southeast Asian economy, is deeply loved by consumers due to its unique flavor characteristics. However, under the influence of unique regional climate conditions, durian fruit will ripen rapidly, causing the skin to soften quickly and greatly shortening its shelf life, reducing the commercial value of durian and seriously restricting its industrial development potential (Suntichaikamolkul et al., 2021; Khaksar et al., 2024). The physiological process of softening durian skin not only directly affects the market sales of the fruit, but also has adverse effects on the economic value and consumer acceptance of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt effective post harvest quality management strategies for its fruit (Yang et al., 2017; Suntichaikamolkul et al., 2021). Traditional durian post-harvest management mainly relies on low-temperature refrigeration and chemical inhibitors to slow down ripening. Proper refrigeration can delay respiration, but too low a temperature can easily cause chilling damage, resulting in browning of the peel and loss of flavor. 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a commonly used inhibitor of ethylene action, which can delay the ripening and softening of many fruits, and has also shown certain effects in higher plants such as durian. However, studies have shown that 1-MCP treatment of durian can only temporarily inhibit ethylene release, and excessive or long-term use may lead to abnormal ripening of the flesh, such as the “green skin ripe fruit” disorder of bananas and rubbery flesh of papayas. In addition, these exogenous treatments increase logistics and processing costs and may affect flavor and texture (Lobato-Gómez et al., 2021). Therefore, relying on traditional methods to extend the shelf life of durian has limited effect, and it is urgent to start from the crop itself and develop new ways to fundamentally slow down the softening of fruits after harvest.
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