The present invention relates to methods for treating microbial infections on the surfaces of an implant or other surfaces near an implant in a patient. In particular, the methods are useful for treating biofilm infections. The methods include the use of minimally invasive techniques, including the use of ultra sound for facilitating the detection of biofilm infections on the implant or other surface of a patient and destroying the infection by administering an anthocyanin or an anthocyanidin or metabolite thereof. In particular, the administration of protocatechuic acid (PCA) or 2,4,6 trihydroxybenzaldehyde (2,4,6 THBA) for the treatment of an infected implant or other surface of a patient is described herein.

The present invention relates to methods for treating microbial infections on the surfaces of an implant or other surfaces near an implant in a patient. In particular, the methods are useful for treating biofilm infections. The methods include the use of minimally invasive techniques, including the use of ultra sound for facilitating the detection of biofilm infections on the implant or other surface of a patient and destroying the infection by administering an anthocyanin or an anthocyanidin or metabolite thereof. In particular, the administration of protocatechuic acid (PCA) or 2,4,6 trihydroxybenzaldehyde (2,4,6 THBA) for the treatment of an infected implant or other surface of a patient is described herein.

The present invention relates to a browning-inhibiting composition containing a compound represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.21, R.sup.22, R.sup.23, R.sup.24, R.sup.26 and R.sup.27 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and at least one of R.sup.21 or R.sup.23 is a hydrogen atom; when R.sup.23 represents a hydrogen atom, at least one of R.sup.22 or R.sup.24 represents a substituent; R.sup.25 represents a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a substituent; R.sup.22 and R.sup.23, or R.sup.23 and R.sup.24 may be bonded together to form a ring with an oxygen atom and a carbon atom to which these Rs are bonded; R.sup.25 and R.sup.26, or R.sup.26 and R.sup.27 may be bonded together to form a ring structure with carbon atoms to which these Rs are bonded; X represents an oxygen atom or CH.sub.2; and a dashed line may represent a double bond.

The present invention relates to a browning-inhibiting composition containing a compound represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.21, R.sup.22, R.sup.23, R.sup.24, R.sup.26 and R.sup.27 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and at least one of R.sup.21 or R.sup.23 is a hydrogen atom; when R.sup.23 represents a hydrogen atom, at least one of R.sup.22 or R.sup.24 represents a substituent; R.sup.25 represents a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a substituent; R.sup.22 and R.sup.23, or R.sup.23 and R.sup.24 may be bonded together to form a ring with an oxygen atom and a carbon atom to which these Rs are bonded; R.sup.25 and R.sup.26, or R.sup.26 and R.sup.27 may be bonded together to form a ring structure with carbon atoms to which these Rs are bonded; X represents an oxygen atom or CH.sub.2; and a dashed line may represent a double bond.

Edible spray or coating compositions are disclosed for use in the reduction in post-harvest spoilage of fruits, vegetables, and plants by utilizing at least one of various functional agents in combination with at least one carrier or film-forming material. The at least one shelf-life extending agent may be at least one volatile compound, at least one plant immune-stimulatory compound, at least one non-volatile compound, at least one microorganism, and/or at least one ethylene actor compound. Assemblies containing the edible spray or coating compositions, as well as methods of producing and using the edible spray or coating compositions, are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for forming a protective coating on a plant tissue following the consecutives steps of: (a) providing a plant having an external surface, wherein a portion of the external surface includes an exposed surface; (b) applying a first aqueous solution that contains a crosslinking agent to the external surface of the plant; and (c) applying to the external surface of the plant a second aqueous solution that contains a polysaccharide which is susceptible to crosslinking by the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a protective coating on the exposed surface of the plant. Further provided is a postharvest plant matter that includes a first segment covered by natural skin, and a second segment having an exposed surface that is coated by a protective coating that contains a polysaccharide with the first segment being essentially free of the protective coating.

The present invention is directed to inhibitors of tyrosinase, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such tyrosinase inhibitors, and methods of making and using the same. Specifically, included in the present invention are compositions of matter comprised of at least one 2,4-dihydroxybenzene analog, which inhibit the activity of tyrosinase and which inhibit the overproduction of melanin.

The present invention is directed to inhibitors of tyrosinase, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such tyrosinase inhibitors, and methods of making and using the same. Specifically, included in the present invention are compositions of matter comprised of at least one 2,4-dihydroxybenzene analog, which inhibit the activity of tyrosinase and which inhibit the overproduction of melanin.

A composition includes hesperdin and/or a Lamiaceae extract wherein a majority of the volatile components have been removed from the Lamiaceae extract. A method for applying the composition to a food such as meat, fish or poultry, including processed and fresh or unprocessed meat, poultry and fish is also provided.

A composition includes hesperdin and/or a Lamiaceae extract wherein a majority of the volatile components have been removed from the Lamiaceae extract. A method for applying the composition to a food such as meat, fish or poultry, including processed and fresh or unprocessed meat, poultry and fish is also provided.