International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 185-194 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 190 6 Applications of Biotechnology and Future Prospects 6.1 Improving durian aroma with molecular breeding and gene editing Modern biotechnologies like molecular breeding and gene editing are opening exciting new doors for enhancing the aroma of durian fruit. Thanks to the work of researchers like Teh et al. (2017), we now have a deeper understanding of the genetic blueprint behind sulfur-containing volatiles-those potent compounds responsible for durian’s iconic smell. The researchers linked key genes like MGL and ACS with the transcription factors that control them. They aimed to build a regulatory network to show how durian creates its special smell. In this model, the MGL gene plays a main role in making sulfur compounds, while the ACS gene is involved in ethylene control. The expression of MGL and ACS is affected by two transcription factors, MYB and bHLH, and their activity also changes depending on plant growth stages and environmental conditions (Teh et al., 2017; Lu et al., 2024). The network also includes how other metabolic pathways interact, such as those for making terpenoids and phenylalanine. These also help shape the overall aroma. By mapping out these connections, we can better see how the durian genome controls such a complex and strong smell (Lu et al., 2024; Liang, 2024). 6.2 Fine-tuning aroma through genetic regulation Besides changing single genes, scientists are now also looking more into the systems that control how volatile compounds are made in fruit. These systems include transcription factors, epigenetic control, and some complex feedback loops (Mayobre et al., 2021; Lu et al., 2024). If we can understand better how these systems work, we can control the fruit's smell more exactly. Studies like those by Weenen et al. (1996) and Hadi et al. (2013) have helped identify key regulatory genes tied to sulfur volatile production. Adjusting the expression of these genes-either ramping them up or dialing them back-can help craft a more refined and appealing aroma profile. Wu et al. (2022) and Lu et al. (2024) showed that transcription factors and epigenetic signals can regulate the entire family of aromatic-related genes, not only in the sulfur pathway, but also in the biosynthesis of terpenes and fatty acids. This is essential for improving the smell of durian and can be applied to other fruits where aroma is a major selling point (Figure 2) (Araguez and Fernandez, 2013). 6.3 Potential of aromatic compounds Durian's unique scent is not only a cultural icon, but also a valuable asset in the food and spice industries. The sulfur-rich aroma compounds in durian will stimulate the creation of new flavor additives, snacks or cooking products (Peng, 2019). By separating and mixing these different volatile compounds, food scientists can make flavor enhancers that taste like durian. This gives a chance to create special products for certain regions or for people who enjoy strong and unique flavors (Weenen et al., 1996). With a growing global interest in unusual and exotic flavours, durian aroma compounds could become hot commodities. With modern technological tools such as metabolic engineering, it is now possible to produce these compounds on a large scale, making them more accessible and more economical for commercial use (Aragüez and Fernández, 2013). On this basis, market applications can be expanded, which increases economic benefits for durian growers and puts new flavored products on the shelves around the world (Zhu et al., 2015; Peng, 2019). 7 Current Challenges and Future Outlook 7.1 The tough job of figuring out gene function and building regulatory maps One of the biggest hurdles in cracking the molecular puzzle behind durian’s aroma is figuring out what each gene actually does-especially those involved in producing sulfur-containing volatiles. While the durian genome has already been mapped at the chromosome level, it’s clear that the key players-like MGL (methionine γ-lyase) and ACS (aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase)-don’t operate in isolation. They’re part of a complex network of interactions, many of which are still not fully understood (Lee et al., 2012; Teh et al., 2017).
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