Overexpression of a Thunb. gene enhances biosynthesis of scent volatiles in petunia.

is an important natural perfume plant in China. Rose essential oil is known as 'liquid gold' and has high economic and health values. Monoterpenes are the main fragrant components of flower and essential oil. In this study, a member of the hydrolase gene family was cloned from Chinese traditional 'Tang Hong'. Combined analysis of gene expression and the aroma components in different development stages and different parts of flower organ, we found that the main aroma component content was consistent with the gene expression pattern. The overexpressed was acquired via -mediated genetic transformation systems. The blades of the transgenic petunias became wider and its growth vigor became strong with stronger fragrance. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis showed that the contents of the main aroma components of the transgenic petunias including methyl benzoate significantly increased. These findings indicate that the gene plays a role in enhancing the fragrance of petunia flowers, and they could lay an important foundation for the homeotic transformation of in for cultivating new varieties of high-yield and -quality essential oil.