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Open research questions in Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis

96 gap statements mined from Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 343 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

What the literature leaves open

  • Systematic side-by-side comparisons between resistant and susceptible germplasm remain limited. The mechanisms of anthracnose resistance in rubber tree are not well understood. There is a need for a mechanistic framework for resistance-oriented breeding and the utilization of resistant germplasm in rubber tree.

    Integrative Structural, Physiological, and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Key Determinants of Anthracnose Resistance in Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) · 2026 · DOI

  • genomic analysis of chemotypes, - development of markers to breed high-terpenoid cultivars, - impact of climate change on terpenoid production, - reference standard databases and interlaboratory proficiency schemes

    Terpenoids from medicinal and aromatic plants: recent advances in extraction, bioactivity and industrial applications · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for more efficient and safe extraction methods for terpenoids. The current extraction methods have limitations, such as high energy consumption, long extraction times, and large solvent requirements. There is a need for more research on the safety and regulatory compliance of terpenoids in their industrial applications.

    Terpenoids from medicinal and aromatic plants: recent advances in extraction, bioactivity and industrial applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The evolutionary dynamics of the DXS gene family in Lauraceae are poorly understood. The functional divergence of the DXS gene family in Lauraceae is not well characterized. The regulatory mechanisms underlying terpenoid metabolism in Lauraceae are not fully understood.

    Analysis of the DXS Pan-Gene Family Reveals Evolutionary Conservation and Regulatory Divergence Underpinning Terpenoid Metabolism in Lauraceae · 2026 · DOI

  • Future functional validation of the identified candidate genes and regulatory factors - Molecular breeding of B. alba for improved medicinal properties

    Multi-omics integration reveals organ-specific biosynthesis of flavonoids and terpenoids in the medicinal plant Bidens alba · 2025 · DOI

  • Limited understanding of the effects of light intensity on plant growth and development. Lack of knowledge on the optimal light intensity for Thymus vulgaris L. Need for further research on the impact of light intensity on phytochemical compounds and gene expression.

    Impact of varying light intensities on morphology, phytochemistry, volatile compounds, and gene expression in Thymus vulgaris L. · 2025 · DOI

  • further studies are needed to investigate the regulation of terpene biosynthesis in other plant species, - the role of AtMYC2 in promoting sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis should be further investigated, - the interaction between FhMYB108 and AtMYC2 should be further studied, - the application of the findings in the study to improve the production of volatile compounds in plants

    FhMYB108 Regulates the Expression of Linalool Synthase Gene in Freesia hybrida and Arabidopsis · 2024 · DOI

  • Limited studies have focused on the upstream transcriptional regulation of terpene synthases. The regulatory mechanism underlying linalool synthesis is not well understood. The synergistic effect of MYB and bHLH transcription factors is not well studied.

    FhMYB108 Regulates the Expression of Linalool Synthase Gene in Freesia hybrida and Arabidopsis · 2024 · DOI

  • The specific regulatory effects of rootstock genotype on leaf volatile organic compounds in Citrus medica 'Guangdong Xiangshui' are poorly understood. The volatile composition of leaves differs markedly from that of fruit, but the effect of rootstock genotype on leaf volatiles is not well characterized.

    Rootstock-Induced Volatile Fingerprint Shifts in Citrus medica ‘Guangdong Xiangshui’ Leaves Revealed by HS-GC-IMS · 2026 · DOI

  • Orchids exhibit extraordinary floral diversity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying floral scent evolution remain poorly understood.

    An early-diverging Caladeniinae orchid reveals diversification of terpene and apocarotenoid pathways underlying floral scent evolution · 2026 · DOI

  • These compounds act as herbivore repellents, yet the enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of their precursors remain poorly characterized.

    Spatial distribution of isoprenoid enzymes and MpABCG1 transporter influences sesquiterpene accumulation in Marchantia polymorpha oil bodies · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the production of triterpenoid saponins is limited by their complicated biosynthetic pathways and the availability of glycosyl donors.

    Multi-strategy ugt mining, modification and glycosyl donor synthesis facilitate the production of triterpenoid saponins · 2025 · DOI

  • However, the tissue-specific distribution and regulatory mechanisms of these metabolites remain poorly understood.

    Multi-omics integration reveals organ-specific biosynthesis of flavonoids and terpenoids in the medicinal plant Bidens alba · 2025 · DOI

  • These lines of evidences provide a molecular basis for the metabolic changes occurring during growth and can be significantly implicated in further research on the biosynthetic pathways associated with high-value potent active components in woody plants.

    Accumulation differences of high-value ingredients in different phenotype Lonicera macranthoides: insights from integrative metabolome and transcriptome analyses · 2025 · DOI

  • While the specific accumulation pattern and the underlying molecular regulatory networks remain unclear.

    Accumulation differences of high-value ingredients in different phenotype Lonicera macranthoides: insights from integrative metabolome and transcriptome analyses · 2025 · DOI

  • However, the terpene production of chrysanthemum and the regulatory mechanisms involved remain unclear.

    Integrative transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals candidate genes related to terpene synthesis in Chrysanthemum × morifolium · 2025 · DOI

  • grandifolium (PK) and Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté (PS) are rice in terpenoids, yet their anti-liver cancer mechanisms remain poorly understood.

    Metabolomics combined with network pharmacology reveals the anti-hepatoma effects of terpenoids from Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium and Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté as well as differences in their terpenoid metabolites · 2025 · DOI

  • Traditionally, the industrial utilization of Liquidambar essential oil has focused on extraction from the resin, while the full potential of their leaf-derived essential oils remains underexplored.

    Comprehensive analysis of volatile compounds in hybrid sweetgum population and other Liquidambar species by HS-SPME-GC-MS · 2025 · DOI

  • Trifoliatum) is highly valued for bonsai cultivation and landscape design, however, the aroma profile and mechanisms underlying floral scent formation remain elusive.

    Integrated multi-omics analysis unravels the floral scent characteristics and regulation in “Hutou” multi-petal jasmine · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research will focus on investigating the combined effects of various abiotic stresses at the field level and extending the stress duration to evaluate potential additive effects.

    Impact of varying light intensities on morphology, phytochemistry, volatile compounds, and gene expression in Thymus vulgaris L. · 2025 · DOI

  • The complex biochemistry of these reactions is not well understood due to limited enzyme structure information.

    Integrated platform for structural and functional analysis of terpene synthases of Cannabis sativa · 2025 · DOI

  • However, its detailed role for natural rubber biosynthesis and production remains unclear.

    Auxin response factor 3 positively affects natural rubber biosynthesis by targeting farnesyl diphosphate synthase 1 in Taraxacum kok-saghyz · 2025 · DOI

  • However, the metabolic mechanisms underlying PUFA content variation and biosynthesis regulation remain poorly understood.

    Metabolic pathway for evaluation of polyunsaturated fatty acids content variation and regulation of its biosynthesis in Paeonia ostii through abscisic acid and ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE 5 (PoABI5) · 2025 · DOI

  • However, our understanding of the key compounds responsible for orange flavor and their genetic regulation remains elusive.

    Chemical and genetic basis of orange flavor · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the precise ways that stigmasterol is involved in the stress responses of plants remain unclear.

    Stigmasterol: An Enigmatic Plant Stress Sterol with Versatile Functions · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis

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96 gap statements have been mined from Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 343 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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