Search Results (10)

The durian seed borer, Mudaria stahlgretschae, is a major economic pest that has significantly impacted durian cultivation in Southeast Asia; however, comprehensive biological and ecological data for this species remain limited. This study employs an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological examination with molecular validation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Phylogenetic analysis (Neighbor-Joining) confirmed that all collected specimens (n = 11) formed a distinct monophyletic clade within the genus Mudaria, showing a genetic identity of 95.75–96.85% with existing GenBank accessions, thereby confirming their identity as M. stahlgretschae. Systematic monitoring using light traps in Uttaradit Province revealed a clear seasonal phenology, with adult flight activity restricted to a five-month period from April to July 2025. Population density peaked in May (55.56%), synchronized with the mid-stages of durian fruit development. Furthermore, chemical profiling of female gland volatiles via GC-MS identified 40 compounds; among these, four putative sex pheromone candidates—1-Hexacosene, (Z)-7-Hexadecenal, 11-Octadecenal, and 2-Hexadecanol—were identified as key constituents based on their consistent detection across all replicates (n = 3), high relative abundance, and absence in male extracts or blank controls. These findings establish a critical foundation for developing synthetic pheromone lures and synchronized monitoring programs, offering a robust framework for the sustainable management of M. stahlgretschae in durian agroecosystems. Full article

Durian (Durio zibethinus Murray) seeds, an underutilized by-product of durian processing, were upcycled into functional flours to elucidate how varietal origin and processing govern structure–function relationships. Durian seed flours from local Bang Nara (L) and Monthong (M) varieties were prepared using three methods: native durian seed flour (NDSF; control), boiled durian seed flour (BDSF), and hydrated durian seed flour (HDSF), and benchmarked against commercial mung bean flour (MBF) and almond flour (ALF). Proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH^•- scavenging activity, structural characteristics (Fourier transform infrared, FTIR; X-ray diffraction, XRD), thermal behavior, and microstructure were assessed alongside functional properties including water/oil absorption, emulsion performance, and gelation. M flours contained higher protein (8.46–10.73%), dietary fiber (6.26–9.37%), ash (3.59–4.38%), TPC (53.17–87.40 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), and DPPH^•- scavenging activity (92.39–94.54%) than L flours, whereas L flours had higher carbohydrate content (78.87–82.54%) than M flours (68.32–72.21%). Crude fat remained below 1% across all samples. FTIR and XRD profiles were comparable to MBF, confirming starch-based similarities, but distinct differences in color, bulk density, crystallinity, gelatinization behavior, and granule morphology reflected processing-driven structural modification. Functionally, NDSF exhibited the highest water absorption capacity (4.28 g/g); all durian seed flours showed low oil absorption (0.58–0.88 g/g) and gelation at 10–12%. Most samples demonstrated good emulsion activity and stability, except HDSF. Overall, NDSF and BDSF provided the best balance of yield, hydration capacity, and structural stability, demonstrating that both variety and processing determine the performance of upcycled durian seed flours. These findings support the valorization of durian seeds as sustainable, value-added functional ingredients aligned with circular economy and zero-waste food processing. Full article

Durian (Durio zibethinus L.), a tropical fruit celebrated in Southeast Asia for its distinct flavor, is the focus of this comprehensive review. The fruit’s pulp is rich in high-value bioactive compounds, including gamma-glutamylcysteine, a precursor to the essential antioxidant glutathione. With durian cultivation gaining prominence in Southeast Asia due to its economic potential through cultivar enhancement, an in-depth examination of durian-related research becomes crucial. This review explores the health benefits of durian, analyzing the nutritional compositions and bioactive compounds present in the pulp, peel, and seed. It also underscores durian-based food products and the potential for valorizing durian waste. This review encapsulates the significant advancements made in omics-based research, aimed at deciphering the molecular complexities of durian fruit post-harvest ripening and the metabolic shifts impacting its sensory attributes. It is the first to summarize studies across genome, transcriptome, and metabolome levels. Future research should prioritize the development of molecular markers to accelerate the breeding of elite cultivars with preferred traits. It also proposes the exploration of durian waste valorization, including underexplored parts like flowers and leaves for their bioactive compounds, to promote a sustainable bioeconomy. Finally, it suggests the development of innovative durian products catering to the tastes of health-conscious consumers. Full article

The Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of different indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) spread across various islands. Indigenous peoples (IP) often face marginalization and lack access to the same resources available in lowland areas, creating inequality and barriers to their well-being and development. This study documents the indigenous knowledge systems and practices of the Matigsalog and Ata tribes in Davao City, focusing on their unique agricultural techniques, rituals, and conservation practices. Furthermore, we assessed their current livelihood options and explored opportunities for government support to improve their well-being. A focus group discussion was used to assess the knowledge and perception of participants from the Matigsalog tribe (N = 42) and Ata tribe (N = 15) of Davao City. Validation of the study took place separately through a brief presentation of the results before 15 members of the tribes and a hiking visit to their farmlands. The study determined the existing livelihoods in the two areas, which were mainly agricultural, farming of crops (rice, corn, cassava, sweet potato) and fruit trees (coconut, banana, durian, jackfruit, pomelo) and the community’s resources as well as knowledge, systems, and practices with regard to agricultural crops including climate change. Their sustainable farming practices include intercropping, seed-saving, and exchange practices, preserving these crop varieties and ensuring their availability for future planting seasons, with no usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In conclusion, the tribe’s aspirations and the resulting recommendations are consolidated to facilitate and enhance governmental assistance in a more focused and efficient manner. Full article

Durio zibethinus Murray, or durian fruit, is considered the “King of fruit” in various parts of Southeast Asia. It is classified in the Durio genus, which has been reported to be beneficial in the medical and pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties, biological activities, and cosmetic applications of the polysaccharide extractions from the green (GH) and white (WH) fruit-hulls and the ethanolic extracts from the pulp (P) and seeds (S) of D. Zibethinus. The extracts were developed as cosmetic products, and skin irritation was assessed by volunteers. P, S, GH, and WH extracts gave percentage yields of 12.13, 4.01, 1.60, and 1.18, respectively. The morphological structure of GH was highly porous, while the surface of WH was flattened, with no porosity observed. The seed extract showed the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH) of 0.33 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g and IC₅₀ 0.08 ± 0.00 mg/mL, respectively, while no anti-tyrosinase activity was detected in any individual extract. The total phenolic content, DPPH assay, and anti-tyrosinase activity after blending the extracts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in the individual extracts. Combining extracts such as SGH and SGWH gave IC₅₀ values of anti-tyrosinase activity at 8.69 ± 1.82 mg/mL and 0.067 ± 0.00 mg/mL, respectively. No durian extracts exhibited growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Cutibacterium acnes. A gel formulation containing durian extract was prepared by a cold process. It had good stability, with no skin irritation reported by the volunteers. Both crude durian and polysaccharide extracts showed promise as active ingredients in cosmetic products. Full article

This paper deals with the conjugation of durian seed gum (DSG) with whey protein isolate (WPI) through Maillard reactions. Subsequently, the functional properties of durian seed gum in the non-conjugated (control sample) and conjugated forms were compared with several commercial gums (i.e., Arabic gum, sodium alginate, kappa carrageenan, guar gum, and pectin). The current study revealed that the conjugation of durian seed gum with whey protein isolate significantly (p < 0.05) improved its foaming properties. In this study, the conjugated durian seed gum produced the most stable foam among all samples. On the other hand, the emulsion stabilized with the conjugated durian seed gum also showed more uniform particles with a larger specific surface area than the emulsion containing the non-conjugated durian seed gum. The conjugated durian seed gum showed significant different foaming properties, specific surface area, particle uniformity and water holding capacity (WHC) as compared to the target polysaccharide gums. The conjugated durian seed gum showed more similar functional properties to Arabic gum rather than other studied gums. Full article

Ethanolic extract of durian seeds was fractionated by reverse phase flash column chromatography and the fractions characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. Among a few unknown compounds collected, oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) were found to be one of the main compounds. Based on this result, the OPCs were purified the first time from the durian seeds using standard procedures and gave a yield of 1.8 mg/g dry matter after fractionation by Sephadex LH-20 column. Structural analysis by ¹³C{¹H} NMR and ESI-MS spectra showed the presence of primarily B-type procyanidins with mainly epicatechin as the extension units, which was further verified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectra (MALDI-TOF MS), which shows a distribution of dimers to decamers. In addition, hydroxylated peaks with molecular weight 16 units more than the poly-epicatechins represented significant peaks. We suggest this might be due to hydroxylation occurring under the MALDI-TOF MS conditions. Consistently, depolymerization with α-toluenethiol resulted in epicatechin thioether as the major product, but undetectable amount of gallocatechin or its α-toluenethiol derivatives. The oligomershave a mean degree of polymerization of 7.30. Full article

In recent years, the demand for a natural plant-based polymer with potential functions from plant sources has increased considerably. The main objective of the current study was to study the effect of chemical extraction conditions on the rheological and functional properties of the heteropolysaccharide/protein biopolymer from durian (Durio zibethinus) seed. The efficiency of different extraction conditions was determined by assessing the extraction yield, protein content, solubility, rheological properties and viscoelastic behavior of the natural polymer from durian seed. The present study revealed that the soaking process had a more significant (p < 0.05) effect than the decolorizing process on the rheological and functional properties of the natural polymer. The considerable changes in the rheological and functional properties of the natural polymer could be due to the significant (p < 0.05) effect of the chemical extraction variables on the protein fraction present in the molecular structure of the natural polymer from durian seed. The natural polymer from durian seed had a more elastic (or gel like) behavior compared to the viscous (liquid like) behavior at low frequency. The present study revealed that the natural heteropolysaccharide/protein polymer from durian seed had a relatively low solubility ranging from 9.1% to 36.0%. This might be due to the presence of impurities, insoluble matter and large particles present in the chemical structure of the natural polymer from durian seed. Full article

Natural biopolymers from plant sources contain many impurities (e.g., fat, protein, fiber, natural pigment and endogenous enzymes), therefore, an efficient purification process is recommended to minimize these impurities and consequently improve the functional properties of the biopolymer. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of different purification techniques on the yield, protein content, solubility, water- and oil-holding capacity of a heteropolysaccharide-protein biopolymer obtained from durian seed. Four different purification methods using different chemicals and solvents (i.e., A (isopropanol and ethanol), B (isopropanol and acetone), C (saturated barium hydroxide), and D (Fehling solution)] to liberate the purified biopolymer from its crude form were compared. In most cases, the purification process significantly (p < 0.05) improved the physicochemical properties of heteropolysaccharide-protein biopolymer from durian fruit seed. The present work showed that the precipitation using isopropanol and acetone (Method B) resulted in the highest purification yield among all the tested purification techniques. The precipitation using saturated barium hydroxide (Method C) led to induce the highest solubility and relatively high capacity of water absorption. The current study reveals that the precipitation using Fehling solution (Method D) most efficiently eliminates the protein fraction, thus providing more pure biopolymer suitable for biological applications. Full article

Durian seed is an agricultural biomass waste of durian fruit. It can be a natural plant source of non-starch polysaccharide gum with potential functional properties. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of chemical extraction variables (i.e., the decolouring time, soaking temperature and soaking time) on the physicochemical properties of durian seed gum. The physicochemical and functional properties of chemically-extracted durian seed gum were assessed by determining the particle size and distribution, solubility and the water- and oil-holding capacity (WHC and OHC). The present work revealed that the soaking time should be considered as the most critical extraction variable affecting the physicochemical properties of crude durian seed gum. Full article