Abstract: A produce treatment method to mitigate latent infections, such as fungal infections, and to delay ripening in produce is described. The produce treatment method includes providing an antimicrobial agent to an enclosure comprising a plurality of produce items, and contacting the plurality of produce items with the antimicrobial agent, wherein the antimicrobial agent is in gaseous form and is selected to deactivate latent microbes in the plurality of produce items.

Abstract: Presented are compositions that can be used as antimicrobial coatings or protective coatings for agricultural (e.g., food) products. The compositions can comprise one or more saturated glycerides selected from monoglycerides and diglycerides; one or more surfactants; and one or more food-safe antimicrobials. The antimicrobial coatings or protective coatings can be used to prevent or delay food spoilage due to, for instance, infection by a foreign pathogen, moisture loss, or oxidation.

Abstract: Compositions for forming protective coatings can include a first group of compounds, where each compound of the first group is a fatty acid, fatty acid ester, or fatty acid salt having a carbon chain length of at least 14 carbons. The compositions can optionally include a second group of compounds selected from fatty acids, fatty acid esters, fatty acid salts, and combinations thereof, wherein each compound of the second group has a carbon chain length from 7 to 13 carbons. At least some of the compounds of the first group can function as emulsifiers, allowing the composition to be dissolved, suspended, or dispersed in a solvent. At least some of the compounds of the second group can function as welling agents in order to improve the surface wetting of items to be coated when solutions, suspensions, or colloids that include the compositions are applied to the items.

Abstract: Methods are described for the delivery of one or more small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to a eukaryotic cell using a bacterium or BTP. Methods are also described for using this bacterium to regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells using RNA interference, and methods for treating viral diseases and disorders. The bacterium or BTP includes one or more siRNAs or one or more DNA molecules encoding one or more siRNAs. Vectors are also described for use with the bacteria of the invention for causing RNA interference in eukaryotic cells.