Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 191-201 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 197 6 Extending the Shelf Life of Durian Through Genetic Engineering 6.1 Reducing the respiration rate Excessive respiration will accelerate nutrient consumption and tissue decay. Therefore, in addition to the strategy of weakening ethylene synthesis, it is also possible to consider regulating metabolic pathways related to respiration. For example, enhancing the alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway to reduce the accumulation of excessive reactive oxygen species, thereby protecting cell function and delaying aging (Hewitt and Dhingra, 2020). Gene editing can be used to upregulate the function of such beneficial genes, such as enhancing the expression of durian AOX genes through promoter engineering, so that the fruit can better handle respiratory chain electrons during the transition period and reduce free radical damage. Another idea is to reduce the consumption of respiratory substrates, such as regulating the metabolic balance of starch and organic acids. When durian matures, starch rapidly degrades to provide respiratory substrates. Studies have shown that by editing a transcription factor that affects starch degradation in tomatoes, softening was delayed and texture was improved (Miao et al., 2025). 6.2 Regulating the composition of the cuticle layer of the peel to reduce water loss The structural integrity of the peel is essential for fruit preservation. The cuticle and the wax layer covering it are natural barriers to prevent water evaporation and microbial infection. If the peel loses water too quickly, it will intensify softening and quality deterioration. Therefore, genetic modification can make the durian peel cuticle denser and higher in wax content, which can slow down water loss and maintain the hardness and freshness of the peel. Studies have shown that certain genes such as KCS (β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase) and CER1 (cuticular wax alkane synthase) are directly involved in the synthesis of very long-chain fatty acids and paraffins, and are key factors in determining the composition of peel wax (Wang et al., 2020; Yang et al., 2023). In addition, the integrity of the cuticle is also related to pathogen defense. The increase in wax can reduce the adhesion and germination of fungal spores and improve disease resistance. In tomatoes, silencing the pectin lyase gene has been shown to increase fruit hardness and reduce sensitivity to pathogens, which indirectly helps to reduce water loss and extend the shelf life of fruits (Uluisik et al., 2016; Yang et al., 2017). In addition, the study also found that overexpression of certain genes in tomatoes can increase fruit firmness and reduce cell wall degradation, which further supports the role of genetic modification in maintaining fruit quality (Gao et al., 2024). For durian, gene editing can also be considered to increase wax accumulation, thereby giving the peel a “self-contained plastic wrap” function. 6.3 Delaying aging by improving antioxidant capacity Post-harvest softening and decay of fruits are closely related to oxidative stress. During the maturation and aging process, cells produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide. These ROS can attack membrane lipids and cell wall polymers, accelerating tissue softening and browning. Therefore, enhancing the antioxidant defense capacity of the fruit itself is expected to slow down the process of softening and aging. Antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and CAT can remove ROS and keep them at a low level (Meitha et al., 2020). Genetic engineering can promote the role of the antioxidant system in durian fruit: first, overexpression of key antioxidant enzyme genes, such as SOD, CAT or APX (ascorbate peroxidase), so that the fruit can quickly remove excess ROS when ripening, protecting the cell membrane and wall structure from excessive oxidation and decomposition. Such attempts have been reported in other crops, such as overexpression of SOD/CAT to improve the storage antioxidant capacity of cassava tubers (Meitha et al., 2020). The second is to enhance the synthesis of antioxidant metabolites: for example, genes that regulate the synthesis of tomato lycopene or polyphenols can be edited to allow durian pulp to accumulate more antioxidants, thereby reducing oxidative stress during ripening. However, durian itself is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, so it can be decided according to the specific situation. 6.4 Case analysis of gene editing of other fruits When studying the prospects of extending the shelf life of durian genetic engineering, it is worth referring to the successful experiences or lessons of other fruits. The genetically modified tomato Flavr Savr is the earliest
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==