Dehydration and drying are some of the oldest methods of preserving food and other biological materials such as proteins and both live and dead live microorganisms or their metabolites. The invention disclosed herein seeks a method of further improving the process of preserving biological material by combining the freezing or freeze-drying process with a partial infrared dehydration step. By using infrared radiation energy to perform simultaneous blanching and dehydration, the drying speed is greatly increased and better cellular and molecular integrity is maintained. The invention herein is also particularly useful in connection with cannabis and hemp.

Dehydration and drying are some of the oldest methods of preserving food and other biological materials such as proteins and both live and dead live microorganisms or their metabolites. The invention disclosed herein seeks a method of further improving the process of preserving biological material by combining the freezing or freeze-drying process with a partial infrared dehydration step. By using infrared radiation energy to perform simultaneous blanching and dehydration, the drying speed is greatly increased and better cellular and molecular integrity is maintained. The invention herein is also particularly useful in connection with cannabis and hemp.

Presented are compositions that can be used as protective coatings for agricultural (e.g., food) substrates. The compositions can comprise a compound of Formula I:

##STR00001##

and an additive, wherein the variables m, n, q, r, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are defined herein. The protective coatings formed from the compositions can be used to prevent food spoilage due to, for instance, moisture loss, oxidation, or infection by a foreign pathogen.

Presented are compositions that can be used as protective coatings for agricultural (e.g., food) substrates. The compositions can comprise a compound of Formula I:

##STR00001##

and an additive, wherein the variables m, n, q, r, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are defined herein. The protective coatings formed from the compositions can be used to prevent food spoilage due to, for instance, moisture loss, oxidation, or infection by a foreign pathogen.

A formulation for delivering one or more health benefits to a human post-consumption and a method to create the formulation are described. The formulation comprises a shell extract of Nephelium lappaceum in a form of a powder or a liquid and at least one material. The at least one material comprises a polysaccharide, a protein, a lipid, and/or a food grade compound. The one or more health benefits to the human include support or regulation of blood sugar, blood pressure, body weight, performance/recovery from sports, immune health, anti-aging, pain management, and/or joint health.

A formulation for delivering one or more health benefits to a human post-consumption and a method to create the formulation are described. The formulation comprises a shell extract of Nephelium lappaceum in a form of a powder or a liquid and at least one material. The at least one material comprises a polysaccharide, a protein, a lipid, and/or a food grade compound. The one or more health benefits to the human include support or regulation of blood sugar, blood pressure, body weight, performance/recovery from sports, immune health, anti-aging, pain management, and/or joint health.

A clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with α-cyclodextrin, obtained as a solid particulate product, is modified by comminuting, classifying, or both to obtain a modified particulate. When subjected to identical atmospheric disgorgement conditions of humidity and temperature, identical masses of the modified and unmodified particulates exhibit different rates of 1-methylcyclopropene disgorgement. Specifically, we have found that a smaller mean particle size is inversely related to a greater rate of 1-methylcyclopropene release.

A clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with α-cyclodextrin, obtained as a solid particulate product, is modified by comminuting, classifying, or both to obtain a modified particulate. When subjected to identical atmospheric disgorgement conditions of humidity and temperature, identical masses of the modified and unmodified particulates exhibit different rates of 1-methylcyclopropene disgorgement. Specifically, we have found that a smaller mean particle size is inversely related to a greater rate of 1-methylcyclopropene release.

A composition for application to a plant is provided. The composition includes a photosensitizer that generates reactive oxygen species in the presence of light and oxygen, the photosensitizer being selected from the group consisting of a porphyrin, a reduced porphyrin and a combination thereof; a film-forming agent, the film-forming agent forming a film that is substantially impermeable to oxygen when in a non-hydrated state; an antioxidant agent; and an aqueous carrier in which the photosensitizer, the film-forming agent and the antioxidant agent are solubilized and/or dispersed. The composition is used for improving the health of a plant.

A composition for application to a plant is provided. The composition includes a photosensitizer that generates reactive oxygen species in the presence of light and oxygen, the photosensitizer being selected from the group consisting of a porphyrin, a reduced porphyrin and a combination thereof; a film-forming agent, the film-forming agent forming a film that is substantially impermeable to oxygen when in a non-hydrated state; an antioxidant agent; and an aqueous carrier in which the photosensitizer, the film-forming agent and the antioxidant agent are solubilized and/or dispersed. The composition is used for improving the health of a plant.