Abstract: The disclosure provides an antimicrobial mixture of at least two volatile compounds derived from essential oils, at least one of which is a bactericide selected from cinnamaldehyde, diacetyl, and acetic acid with another being a fungicide selected from allyl isothiocyanate, hexanal, thymol, and 2-nonane. The antimicrobial mixture inhibits both bacterial and fungal pathogens that negatively impact the shelf-life of perishable agricultural commodities, and at concentrations sufficiently low to avoid phytotoxic effects to agricultural commodities held in closed shipping and storage systems.

Abstract: Maintenance of conditions optimal to perishable materials within a package during shipment will prolong the lifetime of the goods for shipment. The present invention provides a system for mitigating spoilage of perishable materials. The system comprises a container defining a compartment for storage of perishable materials, the container further defining an opening for providing communication between the compartment and an outside environment. A film cooperates with the container to seal the opening of the container and control flow of gas and water vapor transfer between the compartment and the outside environment.