Systems and methods for storing post-climacteric fruit are described. The system is scalable for home or commercial use and extends the storage life of fruit sensitive to over-ripening and spoilage because of the emission of ethylene gas. The described systems circulate and remove the ethylene gas, emitted by the fruit, from within an enclosure containing the fruit. Also, the system may store the fruit at an average temperature that extends the storage life of the fruit. The systems accomplish these objectives by thermally cycling the temperature of the air/gas within the enclosure containing the fruit about a desired storage temperature. The change in temperature may cause the air to expand and contract. Mechanisms allow the expanding and contracting air to exchange the gas within the enclosure with the air outside the enclosure, inducing the flushing of the ethylene gas.

A package for preserving respiring produce contained in the package, in particular vegetables, fruit, herbs, spices and/or flowers, and an associated method are provided. The package defines a package volume for containing a portion of the produce and a package atmosphere, and comprises a packaging material, in particular a polymer film (1A), provided with at least one perforation (3) enabling gas exchange with the atmosphere surrounding the package (1) to form the package into a Controlled Atmosphere Package (CAP). The packaging material has a Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR), a carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO.sub.2TR) and an oxygen transmission rate (O.sub.2TR), wherein the WVTR of the packaging material is in a range of 50-1200 ml/(m.sup.2.Math.24 hrs), the CO.sub.2TR of the packaging material is larger than 1000 ml/(m.sup.2.Math.24 hrs), and a ratio β=CO.sub.2TR/O.sub.2TR of the packaging material is larger than 4.

A package for preserving respiring produce contained in the package, in particular vegetables, fruit, herbs, spices and/or flowers, and an associated method are provided. The package defines a package volume for containing a portion of the produce and a package atmosphere, and comprises a packaging material, in particular a polymer film (1A), provided with at least one perforation (3) enabling gas exchange with the atmosphere surrounding the package (1) to form the package into a Controlled Atmosphere Package (CAP). The packaging material has a Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR), a carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO.sub.2TR) and an oxygen transmission rate (O.sub.2TR), wherein the WVTR of the packaging material is in a range of 50-1200 ml/(m.sup.2.Math.24 hrs), the CO.sub.2TR of the packaging material is larger than 1000 ml/(m.sup.2.Math.24 hrs), and a ratio β=CO.sub.2TR/O.sub.2TR of the packaging material is larger than 4.

Cyclodextrin compositions including one or more radiation polymerizable monomers and a cyclodextrin inclusion complex, the cyclodextrin inclusion complex including a cyclodextrin compound and an olefinic inhibitor of an ethylene generation in produce, are coated onto packaging materials and cured. Treated containers and treated package inserts having the cured cyclodextrin compositions are useful in packaging of respiring plant materials.

Methods are provided for storing and preserving a cut or whole berry product, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, the berry product is placed in a product containing space of a storage container atop a platform of a support structure. The storage container includes an internal compartment having the product containing space. The support structure defines the platform for supporting the berry product. The internal compartment further includes a reservoir, configured to retain liquid, below the platform. The platform and/or support structure are configured to direct liquid exuded from the berry product to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir

Methods are provided for storing and preserving a cut or whole berry product, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, the berry product is placed in a product containing space of a storage container atop a platform of a support structure. The storage container includes an internal compartment having the product containing space. The support structure defines the platform for supporting the berry product. The internal compartment further includes a reservoir, configured to retain liquid, below the platform. The platform and/or support structure are configured to direct liquid exuded from the berry product to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir

A banana crown cover is engageable to a banana bunch for extending the shelf life of the bananas in the banana bunch. An interior cavity of a body of the crown cover is surrounded by a sidewall of elastomer material. An annular ring, formed of elastomer material, forms a seal around said banana bunch when the crown of the banana bunch is positioned into the interior cavity and protects it from communication of gases to the crown, which cause ripening.

A banana crown cover is engageable to a banana bunch for extending the shelf life of the bananas in the banana bunch. An interior cavity of a body of the crown cover is surrounded by a sidewall of elastomer material. An annular ring, formed of elastomer material, forms a seal around said banana bunch when the crown of the banana bunch is positioned into the interior cavity and protects it from communication of gases to the crown, which cause ripening.

This invention is related to the use of a volatile antimicrobial compound against pathogens. The volatile antimicrobial compounds provided include certain oxaborole compounds, for example benzoxaboroles. Delivery systems are provided to take advantage of the volatile nature of these antimicrobial compounds. The method and use disclosed can be combined with other volatile compounds.

This invention is related to the use of a volatile antimicrobial compound against pathogens. The volatile antimicrobial compounds provided include certain oxaborole compounds, for example benzoxaboroles. Delivery systems are provided to take advantage of the volatile nature of these antimicrobial compounds. The method and use disclosed can be combined with other volatile compounds.