<![CDATA[The Husk Tomato (Physalis angulata L.) has been valued as a medicinal plant due to its rich secondary metabolites. These compounds include physalins, which exhibit antitumor activity; withanolides, recognized as potent anti-inflammatory agents; and other components such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and carotenoids. Despite its therapeutic potential, the commercial utilization of P. angulata remains limited by inconsistent fruit quality. This review summarizes current knowledge on Indonesian P. angulata germplasm, focusing on its botany, growth characteristics, genetic diversity, and metabolite profiles. Previous reviews mainly discussed botanical and pharmacological properties, whereas this review emphasizes Indonesian germplasm diversity and breeding perspectives. We critically evaluate several breeding strategies aimed at improving fruit quality, including the utilization of genetic resources, hybridization, mutation breeding, polyploidization, and in vitro techniques. Furthermore, we highlight the application of genetic engineering, particularly the overexpression of the squalene synthase (SQS) gene, suggesting that this approach could efficiently enhance the biosynthesis of squalene derivatives, such as physalins and withanolides. By evaluating the achievements and challenges of these strategies in P. angulata and other Solanaceae species, this review offers a roadmap for future research, aiming to maximize fruit quality and unlock the extensive biopharmaceutical applications of the Indonesian Husk Tomato.]]>
