London - Scientists have found out why some roses smell sweeter than others, and discovered a way of potentially improving the flowers' scent.
They identified a biochemical pathway in the petals which produces a sweet-smelling fragrance which could be reintroduced into rose varieties that have lost their smell as a result of intensive breeding for better colour and shape.
A key role in producing fragrance in roses is played by an enzyme known as RhNUDX1.
Jean-Louis Magnard and colleagues from the University of Lyon in St Etienne, France, identified the new source of rose scent in a study published in the journal Science.
The Independent