The present invention describes a method for treating a biological object being a cutting, root, sprout, budwood, root-stock, forest plant, fruit, vegetable, green leave, bulb, seed, or berry, said method comprising — arranging the biological object in an aqueous impregnation solution so that at least a portion of the biological object is immersed in the impregnation solution, but where at least another part of the biological object is kept free from aqueous impregnation solution; and — applying vacuum impregnation or pressure impregnation, preferably vacuum impregnation, to the aqueous impregnation solution when said at least portion of the biological object is immersed into the aqueous impregnation solution.

The present invention describes a method for treating a biological object being a cutting, root, sprout, budwood, root-stock, forest plant, fruit, vegetable, green leave, bulb, seed, or berry, said method comprising — arranging the biological object in an aqueous impregnation solution so that at least a portion of the biological object is immersed in the impregnation solution, but where at least another part of the biological object is kept free from aqueous impregnation solution; and — applying vacuum impregnation or pressure impregnation, preferably vacuum impregnation, to the aqueous impregnation solution when said at least portion of the biological object is immersed into the aqueous impregnation solution.

Described herein are active pouches for obtaining selected release rates of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) therefrom. A pouch is a sealed thermoplastic containment or envelope defining an interior volume that is excluded from free exchange with the atmosphere, yet is permeable to both 1-MCP gas and water vapor. The active pouches enclose and contain a clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with α-cyclodextrin (1-MCP/CD). The rate of 1-MCP release from an active pouch subjected to a selected set of humidity-mediated disgorgement conditions may be varied by varying the interior volume of the active pouch relative to the amount of 1-MCP/CD contained within the active pouch.

Compositions and methods for inhibiting the decomposition of agricultural products are provided. A composition comprises a breathable sachet of cyclodextrin-encapsulated plant essential oils, such as thyme oil. Another composition comprises a mixture of a plant essential oil, protein, wax and glycerine used as a coating on at least one inner surface of a defined space such as a storage, shipping or delivery container or a flower sleeve. A method comprises addition of the composition to a defined space containing, or designed to contain, an agricultural product such as a fruit, vegetable or cut flower.

Compositions and methods for inhibiting the decomposition of agricultural products are provided. A composition comprises a breathable sachet of cyclodextrin-encapsulated plant essential oils, such as thyme oil. Another composition comprises a mixture of a plant essential oil, protein, wax and glycerine used as a coating on at least one inner surface of a defined space such as a storage, shipping or delivery container or a flower sleeve. A method comprises addition of the composition to a defined space containing, or designed to contain, an agricultural product such as a fruit, vegetable or cut flower.

The herein-disclosed invention is a liquid, humectant composition comprising about 70%-88% distilled water, about 7%-14% food-grade USP propylene glycol, about 5%-10% ethanol, about 4%-8% raw honey, about 0.15%-0.16% Cascade hop oil, about 0.5%-0.9% citric acid, and about 0.06%-0.4% sodium benzoate. The composition should be prepared with USP, food-grade ingredients at room temperature, atmospheric pressure. Super-critical extraction of the Cascade hop oil ingredient is recommended.

Once prepared, between 88.8 ml and 600 ml of said composition should be dropped onto a vented humidor disc for absorption: said saturated disc should then be placed with desired plant matter into a sealed plastic baggie, optionally inside a sealed humidor box. Said plant matter should reach an equilibrium humidity between 60 and 75% and should receive lasting preservative and aromatic effects.

The herein-disclosed invention is a liquid, humectant composition comprising about 70%-88% distilled water, about 7%-14% food-grade USP propylene glycol, about 5%-10% ethanol, about 4%-8% raw honey, about 0.15%-0.16% Cascade hop oil, about 0.5%-0.9% citric acid, and about 0.06%-0.4% sodium benzoate. The composition should be prepared with USP, food-grade ingredients at room temperature, atmospheric pressure. Super-critical extraction of the Cascade hop oil ingredient is recommended.

Once prepared, between 88.8 ml and 600 ml of said composition should be dropped onto a vented humidor disc for absorption: said saturated disc should then be placed with desired plant matter into a sealed plastic baggie, optionally inside a sealed humidor box. Said plant matter should reach an equilibrium humidity between 60 and 75% and should receive lasting preservative and aromatic effects.

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.

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.

Disclosed is an edible composition for coating fresh harvest products and a harvest product coated with said composition, to a method for coating an harvest product, and to the use of the edible composition for the preparation of a post-harvest fruit or vegetable item with prolonged shelf life and/or slower weight loss compared to a fruit or vegetable item which is not coated with the composition and to the use of the edible composition for the preparation of a post-harvest cut flower with prolonged vase life when coated with the composition compared to a comparable cut flower which is not coated with the composition.