科学家发现致使榴莲发臭的基因
Researchers have found an odour gene which gives the thorny fruit its notoriously pungent scent. The discovery meant the possibility of creating "odourless or milder-tasting" fruits in future, the scientists said. It has sparked mixed feelings from durian aficionados, who worship its signature rank smell. A durian without its smell is nothing but an empty shell with no essence, wrote Singaporean Richie Liang on Facebook, who also compared "a durian without its unique smell" to "a human being who has lost his or her soul". The researchers said the durian's distinctive odour served an important purpose to it in the wild: helping to attract animals to eat it and disperse its seeds. The fruit is loved and loathed in equal measure. Eating durian is banned in many outdoor spaces throughout Singapore and carrying it is prohibited on public transport because of its smell. But its fans remain fiercely protective over retaining its controversial scent. "What's durian if it's odourless and tasteless? Yuck," said Manfred Man, adding that he would "never mess with nature". |