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.

Abstract: A container assembly including, a carton base having a substantially planar bottom surface, a lid having a top surface and a plurality of sidewalls extending therefrom. The lid is releasably engaged with the carton base and forms an interior space when engaged with the carton base. The top surface of the lid includes: a plurality of raised platforms, each raised platform having a substantially planar top surface, and a plurality of channels extending between each of the raised platforms such that each of the plurality of channels continuously extends to a perimeter of the lid. Additionally, the carton base is formed of three distinct laminate layers, with at least one of the laminate layers including a resin and a board weight of 200 g/m2 to 300 g/m2.

Abstract: A reusable container assembly including, a container having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially upwardly from a bottom surface forming an opening and an interior space. The bottom surface includes a plurality of feet extending substantially downwardly from the bottom surface. The assembly also includes a lid having a plurality of tapered sidewalls extending substantially downwardly from a top surface, the tapered sidewalls of the lid being configured to receive the tapered sidewalls of the container, such that the lid seals the opening of the container. The top surface of the lid also includes a plurality of raised corners extending substantially upwardly from the top surface, and the feet of the container are configured to receive the raised corners of the lid, when the lid is positioned beneath the container in a stacked configuration.

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.

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: This invention is a novel composition for preserving fresh cut apples comprising a mixture of ascorbic acid, and one or more of calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium chloride, calcium hydroxide, and optionally, citric acid or sodium citrate. This invention also relates to a method of preserving fresh cut apples by treating the cut apples with the novel composition dissolved in water and packaging the treated fresh cut apples in a modified atmosphere package.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the process and formulation for the production of a multipurpose base consisting of mechanically-fractured apple cells and intact single apple cells and optionally gum stabilizers. The multipurpose base possesses desirable functional properties of smoothness, creaminess, viscosity enhancement, clingability and particulate carrier as well as nutraceutical and nutritional values. The multipurpose base is to be used as an ingredient for the preparation of smoothies, fruit salsa, fruit toppings, fruit desserts, soups and salad dressings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process for preserving the quality of peeled ripe kiwifruit. More particularly, the invention pertains to a process for preserving the firmness, tissue integrity, bright green color and natural fresh, ripe kiwifruit flavor of peeled, whole, ripe kiwifruit and of peeled, cut, ripe kiwifruit pieces at refrigerated temperatures for prolonged storage periods. A process for preserving ripe kiwifruit or ripe kiwifruit pieces comprising: (a) treating whole, unpeeled, fresh, ripe, kiwifruit with nitrogen to inhibit quality deterioration of pericarp tissue of the ripe kiwifruit; (b) peeling the whole, unpeeled, fresh, ripe kiwifruit; and (c) packaging the peeled, whole kiwifruit or peeled kiwifruit cut into pieces in a modified atmosphere package containing an initial modified atmosphere of between 5% and 15% of oxygen and between 2 and 10% carbon dioxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method for the storage and transport of fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel method to prolong the postharvest life of such horticultural produce that is packaged in a modified atmosphere by the inclusion of a small amount of nitric oxide gas into the package.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the formulation and process for producing a universal fruit base, which is an apple mash-polysaccharide mixture to which fruit puree(s) and optionally concentrated fruit juice(s) are to be added to form beverage concentrates. The beverage concentrates are to be diluted with water and/or fruit juice(s) to create supreme, distinctive, refreshing, healthy, creamy, smooth, thick, non-gummy and non-settling fruit beverages (smoothies). The resulting beverages possess hydrated cellular particulates, which are stabilized by modified starch and xanthan gum and thus sedimentation of particulates does not occur during the storage of the resulting beverages. Homogenization is not required for particulate stabilization. Pasteurization and sterilization of the resulting beverages can be carried out without the loss of textural and flavour quality attributes and without particulate destabilization and sedimentation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the formulation and process for producing a universal fruit base, which is an apple mash-polysaccharide mixture to which fruit puree(s) and optionally concentrated fruit juice(s) are to be added to form beverage concentrates. The beverage concentrates are to be diluted with water and/or fruit juice(s) to create supreme, distinctive, refreshing, healthy, creamy, smooth, thick, non-gummy and non-settling fruit beverages (smoothies). The resulting beverages possess hydrated cellular particulates, which are stabilized by modified starch and xanthan gum and thus sedimentation of particulates does not occur during the storage of the resulting beverages. Homogenization is not required for particulate stabilization. Pasteurization and sterilization of the resulting beverages can be carried out without the loss of textural and flavor quality attributes and without particulate destabilization and sedimentation.