The Smell of Durian Explained

Reactions Science Videos | August 15, 2017

Durian is known as the king of fruits in Southeast Asia, but it’s also banned from many public spaces due to its powerful odor. This week’s Reactions video explains the unique chemistry behind durian, and catches our co-hosts at PBS Digital Studios reacting to this stinky delicacy as they try it for the first time.

Sources:

Genetics of Taste and Smell: Poisons and Pleasures

Crucial role of copper in detection of metal-coordinating odorants

Olfactory receptors

Smelling Sulfur: Copper and Silver Regulate the Response of Human Odorant Receptor OR2T11 to Low-Molecular-Weight Thiols

Insights into the Key Compounds of Durian (Durio zibethinus L. ‘Monthong’) Pulp Odor by Odorant Quantitation and Aroma Simulation Experiments

Characterization of the Major Odor-Active Compounds in Thai Durian (Durio zibethinus L. ‘Monthong’) by Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis and Headspace Gas Chromatography–Olfactometry

On the Bamboo and Durian of Borneo (S27: 1856)