RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/287,194, filed December 8, 2021, and entitled “Compositions and Methods for Release of Sprout Suppressants Imparting Improved Sensory Profile,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Devices and methods for release and delivery of active ingredients such as sprout suppressants are generally described.

BACKGROUND

Potatoes are typically stored for six weeks or longer after harvest. Potatoes are generally stored in rooms below ambient temperatures (e.g., below approximately 21°C) to mitigate sprouting and extend potato shelf-life. It is also common to treat potatoes with Isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC) during the storage period to inhibit sprouting. However, CIPC fogging treatments are not used after storage once potatoes are removed from the storage rooms and packed for distribution and shipment. Moreover, CIPC is not permitted in organic certified potatoes.

After storage, potatoes are packaged for distribution and shipment in 5-100 lb containers of potatoes, and more typically in containers of potatoes having a weight between 5-501bs. A need exists for improved devices and methods for sprout suppression post storage, for example, in packaged potatoes and other crops susceptible to sprouting.

SUMMARY

Devices, systems, and methods for release and delivery of active ingredients such as sprout suppressants are generally described. The subject matter of the present invention involves, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of one or more systems and/or articles.

In one aspect, methods of suppressing sprouts on produce are provided. In some embodiments, the method of suppressing sprouts on produce comprises releasing a sprout suppressant comprising carvone and citral from a delivery material such that the sprout suppressant contacts the produce and suppresses the formation of sprouts on the produce.

In one aspect, a release device is provided. In some embodiments, the release device comprises a delivery material impregnated with a sprout suppressant comprising carvone and citral, wherein the delivery material is incorporated into a form factor.

In one aspect, a composition is provided. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a solid, porous delivery material and sprout suppressant comprising carvone and citral.

In some embodiments, a method of suppressing sprouts on produce comprises releasing a mixture from a delivery material such that the mixture contacts the produce and suppresses the formation of sprouts on the produce, wherein the mixture comprises: a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce; and a masking component present in an amount sufficient to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant.

In some embodiments, a method of suppressing sprouts on produce comprises releasing a mixture from a delivery material such that the mixture contacts the produce and suppresses the formation of sprouts on the produce, wherein the mixture comprises: a first component comprising spearmint oil, lemongrass, orange peel oil, mandarin orange peel oil, kuromoji oil, gingergrass oil, peppermint oil, garlic oil, ruta chalepensis L. oil, eucalyptus oil, coriander oil, sagebrush oil, rosemary oil, muna oil, lemon oil, lime oil, lemon tea tree oil, lemon myrtle oil, litsea citrate oil, litsea cubeba oil, jasmine oil, methyl jasmonate, 3-decen- 2-one, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, isopropyl-N-(3- chlorophenyl) carbamate, rape oil, citral, and/or (R)-(-)-carvone; and a second component comprising an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, dill seed oil, cinnamon bark oil, (Ej-cinnamaldehyde, and/or (S)-(+)-carvone. In some embodiments, the second component comprises an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, dill seed oil, and/or (S)-(+)-carvone.

In some embodiments, a release device comprises a delivery material impregnated with a mixture comprising: a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce, and a masking component present in an amount sufficient to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant; wherein the delivery material is incorporated into a form factor.

In some embodiments, a release device comprises a delivery material impregnated with a mixture comprising: a first component comprising spearmint oil, lemongrass, orange peel oil, mandarin orange peel oil, kuromoji oil, gingergrass oil, peppermint oil, garlic oil, ruta chalepensis L. oil, eucalyptus oil, coriander oil, sagebrush oil, rosemary oil, muna oil, lemon oil, lime oil, lemon tea tree oil, lemon myrtle oil, litsea citrate oil, litsea cubeba oil, jasmine oil, methyl jasmonate, 3-decen- 2-one, 1,4- dimethylnaphthalene, isopropyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate, rape oil, citral, and/or (R)-(-)-carvone; and a second component comprising an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, dill seed oil, cinnamon bark oil, (Ej-cinnamaldehyde, and/or (S)-(+)-carvone; wherein the delivery material is incorporated into a form factor. In some embodiments, the second component comprises an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, dill seed oil, and/or (S)-(+)-carvone.

In some embodiments, composition comprises a solid, porous delivery material; and a mixture comprising: a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce, and a masking component present in an amount sufficient to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant.

In some embodiments, a composition comprises a solid, porous delivery material; and a mixture comprising: a first component comprising spearmint oil, lemongrass, orange peel oil, mandarin orange peel oil, kuromoji oil, gingergrass oil, peppermint oil, garlic oil, ruta chalepensis L. oil, eucalyptus oil, coriander oil, sagebrush oil, rosemary oil, muna oil, lemon oil, lime oil, lemon tea tree oil, lemon myrtle oil, litsea citrate oil, litsea cubeba oil, jasmine oil, methyl jasmonate, 3-decen- 2-one, 1,4- dimethylnaphthalene, isopropyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate, rape oil, citral, and/or (R)-(-)-carvone; and a second component comprising an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, dill seed oil, cinnamon bark oil, (E')-cinnamaldehyde, and/or (S)-(+)-carvone. In some embodiments, the second component comprises an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, dill seed oil, and/or (S)-(+)-carvone.

Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. In cases where the present specification and a document incorporated by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present specification shall control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary composition comprising a porous adsorbent material and an active ingredient associated with the porous adsorbent material, according to some embodiments;

FIG. IB shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary composition comprising a porous adsorbent material and a first active ingredient and a second component associated with the porous adsorbent material, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary composition comprising a porous adsorbent material, a supplemental material associated with the porous adsorbent material, and an active ingredient associated with the porous adsorbent material, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of a container containing produce undergoing sprouting in the absence of sprout suppressant released from a release device;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of a container comprising produce undergoing reduced sprouting in the presence of sprout suppressant released from a release device;

FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of a container comprising produce undergoing reduced sprouting in the presence of a mixture comprising a sprout suppressant and a masking component released from a release device, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary release device comprising a pump configured to release an active ingredient such as a sprout suppressant from a delivery material, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 presents images of exemplary potatoes in varying states of sprouting, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 presents exemplary sprouting states of red potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 presents exemplary sprouting states of yellow potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 presents exemplary sprouting states of russet potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 presents exemplary sprouting states of red potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 presents exemplary sprouting states of yellow potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 presents exemplary sprouting states of russet potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 presents exemplary attribute profiles of russet potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments; FIG. 12 presents exemplary attribute profiles of red potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 13 presents exemplary attribute profiles of yellow potatoes exposed to various exemplary active ingredients, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14 presents sprouting states of red potatoes exposed to various formulations of active ingredients, in which sprouts were evaluated on a scale of 0-3, where 0=No sprout, l=Development of peepers/whitehead (<2mm), 2=Growth of peepers that emerge as a sprout (2-5), and 3=Significant Growth (>5mm), in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 15 presents data plots showing a percentage of sprouted red potatoes from each treatment group for each evaluation date over an entire evaluation period, with sprouted potatoes in this context referring to potatoes with ratings of 1, 2, or 3, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 16 presents sprouting states of gold potatoes exposed to various formulations of active ingredients, in which sprouts were evaluated on a scale of 0-3, where 0=No sprout, l=Development of peepers/whitehead (<2mm), 2=Growth of peepers that emerge as a sprout (2-5), and 3=Significant Growth (>5mm), in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 17 presents data plots showing a percentage of sprouted gold potatoes from each treatment group for each evaluation date over an entire evaluation period, with sprouted potatoes in this context referring to potatoes with ratings of 1, 2, or 3, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 18 presents sprouting states of yellow fingerling potatoes exposed to various formulations of active ingredients, in which sprouts were evaluated on a scale of 0-3, where 0=No sprout, l=Development of peepers/whitehead (<2mm), 2=Growth of peepers that emerge as a sprout (2-5), and 3=Significant Growth (>5mm), in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 19 presents data plots showing a percentage of sprouted yellow fingerling potatoes from each treatment group for each evaluation date over an entire evaluation period, with sprouted potatoes in this context referring to potatoes with ratings of 1, 2, or 3, in accordance with certain embodiments; and FIG. 20 presents a plot showing the frequency of potato consumption among the 34 panelists that participated in the survey conducted as part of Example 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Release devices and compositions for release of active ingredients such as sprout suppressants, and associated methods, are generally provided. In one aspect, compositions including a mixture a components in a delivery material, at least one of which is a sprout suppressant, are provided. In some embodiments, the mixture includes a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to at least some produce (e.g., an unfavorable flavor or scent) and a masking component (e.g., a second sprout suppressant) that can at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property. Treating produce susceptible to sprouting (e.g., potatoes) with such a mixture released from the compositions can, in some instances, provide relatively effective sprout suppression while providing an acceptable sensory experience for consumers of the produce.

Release of active ingredients (e.g., volatile active ingredients) can, in some instances, slow down certain biological processes that diminish the quality of agricultural products for their desired uses. For example, active ingredients may be applied to produce at various stages along a supply chain to prolong shelf life. As one example, certain produce such as potatoes may be susceptible to sprouting following harvest, but the sprouting may be reduced, delayed, or even prevented via application of certain active ingredients (e.g., spearmint oil or spearmint extract, caraway oil, lemongrass). Certain techniques for applying active ingredients to produce, such as via fumigation and/or fogging, may be poorly suited for certain parts of supply chains because they require significant space, and capital equipment may be required to supply and maintain active ingredient atmospheres. As an example, fumigation may be impractical during shipping or storage, when produce may be contained within relatively small containers. The inventors of the present disclosure have realized that release of active ingredients (e.g., sprout suppressants) can be possible at desirable levels and rates even in relatively small containers. Compositions and release devices described herein can, in some instances, provide for such active ingredient release in a safe, practical, and relatively inexpensive manner. For example, some aspects of this disclosure relate to compositions that can release active ingredients at relatively high rates using relatively small amounts of active ingredient.

It has been observed in the context of the present disclosure that some active ingredients used for treating produce (e.g., for sprout suppression) can impart an unsatisfactory sensory experience for consumers of the treated produce. For example, treatment of produce with an active ingredient may cause the resulting treated produce to have a taste and/or scent that is not normally associated with the untreated produce. As a specific example, it has been observed that treatment of potatoes with spearmint oil, while effective for reducing and/or delay sprouting, can in some instances cause the potatoes to have a spearmint flavor. The presence of such a spearmint flavor may be undesirable to at least some consumers. Therefore, there is a need for a produce treatment (e.g., sprout suppression) technique that can reduce or prevent such unfavorable organoleptic properties of some active ingredients from tainting produce while maintaining satisfactory treatment efficacy. It has unexpectedly been observed in the context of this disclosure that treating produce by releasing mixtures comprising combinations of certain active ingredients (e.g., combinations of sprout suppressants) can mask unfavorable sensory properties associated some of the active ingredients. Additionally, it has been observed that the observed sensory masking can be achieved by certain mixtures of active ingredients while maintaining or even exceeding the efficacy observed when treating produce with just the individual active ingredients of the mixture alone. For example, treating potatoes by exposing the potatoes to citral (e.g., from lemongrass) and carvone (e.g., from caraway oil) released from a release device can result in sprout suppression efficacy greater than treatment with citral or carvone alone, while also masking unfavorable associated with some citral treatments.

In some embodiments, compositions comprising a delivery material are described. In some embodiments, the delivery material is a solid material. In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises a composition comprising a porous adsorbent material. FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional schematic illustration of composition 10 comprising delivery material 20 (e.g., a porous adsorbent material), according to some embodiments. The delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) may promote release (e.g., controlled-release) of associated active ingredients, such as sprout suppressants. For example, in FIG. 1A, active ingredient 30 is associated with delivery material 20 and may be released from composition 10 under certain conditions, according to some embodiments. A variety of potentially suitable delivery materials (e.g., porous adsorbent materials) may be used with the guidance of this disclosure, including but not limited to carbon material and/or silicate materials. In some embodiments, the porous adsorbent material comprises combinations of porous solids (e.g., soft rocks such as diatomaceous earth). In some embodiments, the porous adsorbent material comprises a gelatinous material. For example, the porous adsorbent material may be collagen-derived (e.g., gelatin). In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises a mixture of different types of materials (e.g., a mixture that includes both a carbon material and a silicate material, or a mixture that includes both diatomaceous earth and gelatin).

Adsorbent materials are generally capable of associating and retaining a second substance under at least one set of conditions. It should be understood that while adsorbent materials may, in some instances, associate the second substance (e.g., on to internal or external surfaces of the adsorbent) via adsorption, any of a variety of specific or non-specific interactions may contribute to association either alone or in combination, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the respective materials. An adsorbent material may associate other substances in an amount greater than or equal to 0.01 wt%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt%, greater than or equal to 1 wt%, greater than or equal to 5 wt%, and/or up to 10 wt%, up to 25 wt%, up to 45 wt%, or up to 50 wt% versus the total weight of the adsorbent material and the associated substance.

As described in more detail below, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) may comprise any of a variety of pores, such as macropores, mesopores, and/or micropores. The presence of pores may promote desirable release profiles for active ingredients (e.g., sprout suppressants) by providing sufficient surface area for association of active ingredients, while in some instances tuning release rates (e.g., by affecting diffusion properties of associated active ingredient). In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, delivery material 20 comprises macropores 40, mesopores 41, and micropores 42. As mentioned above, compositions herein may comprise active ingredients. The active ingredients may be associated with a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) of the composition. The active ingredient may be useful for applications in at least one of agriculture, pest control, odor control, and food preservation. In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises a sprout suppressant. In other words, the active ingredient may reduce, delay, or prevent sprouting in sprouting-susceptible agricultural products such as sprouting-susceptible produce. The active ingredient may, in accordance with certain embodiments, be or comprise any of the sprout suppressants described below (alone or as mixtures comprising one or more sprout suppressants). For example, the active ingredient may comprise an essential oil such as spearmint oil or spearmint extract (e.g., an oil or extract comprising carvone). As another example, the sprout suppressant may comprise isopropyl-N-(3 -chlorophenyl) carbamate. As another example, the sprout suppressant may comprise lemongrass. As yet another example, the sprout suppressant may comprise caraway oil. In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises clove oil, lemongrass, and/or vanillin. In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises a cyclopropene. The cyclopropene may be any of a variety of cyclopropene derivatives known in the art, such as 1 -methylcyclopropene. In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises jasmonic acid and/or derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises glyoxylic acid and/or derivatives thereof. A derivative of an acid species such as jasmonic acid or glyoxylic acid may be, for example, a conjugate base of the acid (e.g., jasmonate, glyoxylate) or an ester of the acid (e.g., methyl jasmonate, ethyl jasmonate, methyl glyoxylate, ethyl glyoxylate, etc.). In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises ethyl formate. In some embodiments, the active ingredient comprises a hormone. One example of a potential hormone used as an active ingredient is an insect hormone such as a Lepidopteran hormone.

In some embodiments, the active ingredient is associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). The active ingredient may be associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) in any of a variety of manners, and methods and devices described herein are not limited to any particular mechanism of association. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is adsorbed to an interior and/or exterior surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Adsorption of the active ingredient to a surface may be primarily based on non-specific forces such as van der Waals forces. However, in some embodiments, an active ingredient may be specifically associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) via any of a variety of interactions such as covalent bonds, electrostatic interactions, pi-pi stacking, or specific noncovalent affinity interactions (e.g., via a functional group and/or complexing agent immobilized on a surface of the porous adsorbent material). In some embodiments, the active ingredient is associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) via adhesive forces. For example, a liquid active ingredient may associate with a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) via capillary forces when wetting a surface of the delivery material. It should be understood that when a component such as an active ingredient (e.g., a sprout suppressant) or mixture of components is referred to as being “in” a delivery material, the component or mixture of components is within pores of the delivery material (in the case of porous delivery materials) or associated with an external surface of the delivery material.

In some embodiments, the active ingredient is within a bulk of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Being within a bulk of the delivery material (e.g., within an inner 80% of the macroscopic volume of the delivery material) as opposed to being solely associated with an outer macroscopic surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) may contribute at least in part to relatively high loadings of the active ingredient as well as a tuning of release rates of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is within at least some of the pores of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., adsorbed to a surface within pores of the porous adsorbent substrate). For example, in FIG. 1A, active ingredient 30 is present within at least some of macropores 40, mesopores 41, and micropores 42 (e.g., adsorbed to surfaces).

The active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) of the composition may be present in one or more states of matter. For example, the active ingredient may be present as a gas (e.g., gas phase molecules adsorbed to surfaces of delivery material). In some embodiments, the active ingredient is present as a liquid (e.g., a liquid impregnating an interior of the delivery material). In some embodiments, the active ingredient is present in a combination of a liquid phase and a gas phase (e.g., as a volatile liquid with an amount of active ingredient vapor present within a bulk of the delivery material).

The compositions described herein (e.g., for sprout suppression) may be capable of releasing the active ingredient. As described below, certain compositions and release devices comprising the compositions may be capable of releasing active ingredients (e.g., sprout suppressants) in relatively high amounts for relatively long periods of time. Releasing active ingredients with such release profiles (e.g., controlled-release profiles) may assist in maintaining relatively high concentrations of active ingredients in atmospheres surrounding produce. An ability to maintain such atmospheres for extended periods of time from small and in some instances inexpensive compositions and devices may allow for produce-treatment in situations where treatment would otherwise be impractical (e.g., for preventing sprouting in sprout-susceptible produce in storage and/or shipping containers).

In some embodiments, a delivery material (e.g., as part of a release device) comprises a mixture of components that can be released from the delivery material. In some instances, the mixture is released such that it contacts produce. For example, the mixture may be released as a gas that diffuses from the delivery material to the produce. In some embodiments, contact between the produce and the released mixture suppresses the formation of sprouts on the produce. Specific examples of release and contact methods are described in more detail below.

As mentioned above, the mixture in the delivery material may comprises multiple components, such as a first component and a second component. In some embodiments, the mixture in the delivery material that is released comprises a sprout suppressant. In some embodiments, the mixture comprises a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property. For example, FIG. IB shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of composition 10 comprising delivery material 20 and a mixture comprising sprout suppressant 30, where sprout suppressant 30 has an unfavorable organoleptic property. An organoleptic property of a substance refers to an aspect of the substance that creates a sensory experience, such as a taste, sight, smell, or touch. As a nonlimiting example, in some embodiments, the mixture comprises a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable taste. As another non-limiting example, in some embodiments, the mixture comprises a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable smell. The unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant may be with respect to the produce to be contacted by the released mixture. For example, some embodiments comprise releasing a mixture comprising a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic profile with respect to potatoes such that the sprout suppressant contacts the potatoes. In some embodiments, a sprout suppressant of the mixture has an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to a produce comprising post- harvest agricultural and/or horticultural products that have a propensity toward sprouting. In some embodiments, a sprout suppressant of the mixture has an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to potatoes. In some embodiments, a sprout suppressant of the mixture has an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to red, yellow, and/or russet potatoes.

Any of a variety of sprout suppressants may have an unfavorable organoleptic property for at least one produce (e.g., potatoes). In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property comprises an essential oil and/or botanical extract. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property comprises spearmint oil, lemongrass, orange peel oil, mandarin orange peel oil, kuromoji oil, gingergrass oil, peppermint oil, garlic oil, ruta chalepensis L. oil, eucalyptus oil, coriander oil, sagebrush oil, rosemary oil, muna oil, lemon oil, lime oil, lemon tea tree oil, lemon myrtle oil, litsea citrate oil, litsea cubeba oil, jasmine oil, methyl jasmonate, 3-decen- 2-one, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, isopropyl- N-(3 -chlorophenyl) carbamate, and/or rape oil. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property comprises geraniol. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable property comprises a molecule having an alpha-beta unsaturated carbonyl (e.g., ketone or aldehyde). In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property comprises carvone. For example, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property may comprise (R)-(-)-carvone. The (R)-(-)-carvone may be released from a release device (e.g., comprising a delivery material such as a porous adsorbent material) impregnated with a mixture comprising spearmint oil. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property comprises citral. The citral may be released from a release device (e.g., comprising a delivery material such as a porous adsorbent material) impregnated with a mixture comprising lemongrass.

In some embodiments, the mixture in the delivery material that is released comprises a masking component. In some embodiments, the mixture in the delivery material comprises a first component (e.g., a sprout suppressant such as a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property) and a second component (e.g., a masking component). For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. IB, delivery material 20 may be impregnated with a mixture that not only includes sprout suppressant 30 having an unfavorable organoleptic property, but also masking component 31. In some embodiments, the masking component is present in an amount sufficient to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant in the mixture. In some embodiments, the masking component is present in an amount sufficient to completely mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant. Whether a masking component from the mixture at least partially (or completely) masks an unfavorable organoleptic property of a sprout suppressant from the mixture can be determined by comparing the sensory experience of three groups of otherwise identical produce: (a) produce contacted with the released mixture comprising the sprout suppressant and the masking component, (b) produce contacted with just sprout suppressant having the unfavorable organoleptic property and not with any of the masking component, and (c) untreated produce. A masking component is present in the mixture in a sufficient amount to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property if an organoleptic attribute or note (e.g., a taste or smell) as experienced by a consumer that is significantly more intense in group (b) than in the control group (c) is diminished in group (a) as compared to group (b). A masking component is present in the mixture in a sufficient amount to completely mask the unfavorable organoleptic property if an organoleptic attribute or note (e.g., a taste or smell) as experienced by a consumer that is significantly more intense in group (b) than in the control group (c) has a similar intensity in group (a) as compared to the control group (c). The masking component may mask the unfavorable property via any of a variety of mechanisms. For example, the masking component may have strong organoleptic properties (e.g., tastes or smells) that can overpower the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant in the mixture, such that the sensory panel perceives a diminished intensity for the unfavorable organoleptic property. Those strong organoleptic properties may be favorable organoleptic properties with respect to the produce to be treated.

In some embodiments, the masking component is or comprises a liquid in the mixture in the delivery material. In some embodiments, the masking component is or comprises a gas in the mixture. In some embodiments, the masking component is present in the mixture as both a liquid and a gas (e.g., where the masking component comprises a liquid with a relatively high vapor pressure such that a significant amount of the masking component is present as vapor in the delivery material).

The mixture comprising the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property and the masking component may be a homogeneous mixture. For example, the mixture may be a homogenous liquid mixture such as a mixture of essential oils or a mixture of neat liquid active ingredients (or a mixture of an essential oil and a neat liquid active ingredient). However, in some embodiments, at least some of the mixture can be heterogeneous. For example, there may be at least partial phase segregation between the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property and the masking component in the delivery material.

In some embodiments, the masking component comprises a sprout suppressant. For example, in some embodiments, the mixture comprises a first sprout suppressant, which has an unfavorable organoleptic property, and a second sprout suppressant that is a masking component with respect to the first sprout suppressant. It has been observed in the context of this disclosure that releasing mixtures comprising a first sprout suppressant and a second sprout suppressant in such a way can, surprisingly, result in increased sprout suppression efficacy compared to treatment with single sprout suppressants, while also reducing or eliminating consumer dissatisfaction associated with unfavorable sensory experiences caused by the first sprout suppressant. It was surprising that increased sprout suppression efficacy and masking of unfavorable organoleptic properties could be achieved in certain embodiments simultaneously via judicious mixing of certain different sprout suppressants. However, it should be understood that the masking component need not necessarily comprise a sprout suppressant in every embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the masking component is an inert substance with respect to the produce to be treated, but can at least partially mask unfavorable properties of the sprout suppressant in the mixture.

In some embodiments, the masking component has a woody, stem, and/or soil flavor profile. In some such embodiments, the produce to be treated by the mixture (e.g., potatoes) also have a woody, stem, and/or soil flavor profile. In some embodiments, such profiles are determined using a sensory panel as described below to have mean organoleptic intensity values of at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 50, at least 100, or more.

In some embodiments, the masking component comprises caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, and/or dill seed oil. In some embodiments, the masking component comprises an active ingredient from caraway seed oil, anise, fennel, clove oil, cardamom, licorice, nutmeg, and/or dill seed oil. For example, the masking component may comprise (S)-(+)-carvone, which is an active ingredient found in caraway seed oil.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises eugenol (e.g., as the sole sprout suppressant or in combination with another active such as citral). In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises geraniol (e.g., as the sole sprout suppressant or in combination with another active such as citral).

In some embodiments, the mixture released from the delivery material (e.g., a porous adsorbent material) comprises carvone and citral. For example, the delivery material may be impregnated with a sprout suppressant comprising both carvone and citral. In some such instances, the citral has an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce being treated (e.g., potatoes). In some embodiments, the carvone is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the citral. In some embodiments, at least some (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 98 wt%, at least 99 wt%, or 100 wt%) of the carvone is (S)-(+)-carvone. The carvone and the citral may each be sprout suppressants. It has been observed in the context of this disclosure that treating produce with a combination of citral and carvone (e.g., (S)-(+)-carvone) can provide greater sprout suppression efficacy than treatment with a sprout suppressant comprising solely citral or solely carvone. Further, the organoleptic profile produce treated with a combination of citral and carvone (e.g., (S)- (+)-carvone) may be more acceptable to consumers of the produce than produce treated with a sprout suppressant comprising solely citral. In some embodiments, the mixture comprises one or more essential oils comprising the citral and the carvone. For example, the mixture may comprise lemongrass oil (an essential oil comprising citral). As another example, the mixture may comprise caraway seed oil (an essential oil comprising (S)- (+)-carvone). In some embodiments, the mixture in the delivery material comprises lemongrass oil and carvone (e.g., (S)-(+)-carvone). In some embodiments, the mixture in the delivery material comprises citral and caraway seed oil. In some embodiments the mixture in the delivery material comprises lemongrass and caraway seed oil.

In some embodiments, the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant has a mean organoleptic intensity value for at least one attribute or note (e.g., taste or scent) that is relatively high compared to the intensity value of the attribute or note in untreated produce. The mean organoleptic intensity of an attribute or note can be quantified, for example, using a sensory panel. The sensory panel can include a plurality of trained panelists (e.g., four to six panelists) with experience evaluating produce. First, each panelist may individually evaluate control produce that has not been treated with the sprout suppressant at issue and describes the sensory properties (e.g., taste and/or smell) of the produce in terms of character notes or attributes and the respective intensities of those character notes or attributes. The panel may then discuss their individual evaluations as a group to determine a consensus profile for the untreated produce including a mean organoleptic intensity value on a scale of 0 (none) to 150 (extremely strong). The notes or attributes considered by the panelists can be chosen by the panelists from a selected lexicon of common organoleptic properties, and can be supplemented by any further organoleptic properties (e.g., flavors) identified by the panelists during evaluation. For example, a sensory panel considering organoleptic properties of potatoes may be provided with the following lexicon of flavors from which to identify descriptors and respective intensities: vegetable complex, beany, raw potato, raw potato peel, metallic, adhesive bandage, astringent, earthy, sweet, bitter, sour, chemical, cardboardy, salty, nutty, cauliflower, medicinal, and fermented. From this list, the sensory panel might select “raw potato” and “earthy” from the provided lexicon, and also detect additional flavors such as “savory,” “green,” and “spearmint.” The panel may next evaluate sample produce treated (e.g., contacted with) the substance whose organoleptic properties are to be considered. The panel can determine a score for the treated produce for each attribute or note identified in the control (untreated) produce, plus a score for any additional attributes or notes detected, with the score corresponding to the mean organoleptic intensity on the 0 to 150 scale mentioned above.

In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant may be such that a sample of the produce contacted with that sprout suppressant (e.g., by being in a container having a headspace concentration of at least 1 ppm of the substance for at least 3 days) has at least one note or attribute with a mean organoleptic intensity value of at least 25, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100, or greater (on the 0 to 150 scale), where that note or attribute has an mean organoleptic intensity value of less than or equal to 15, less than or equal to 10, less than or equal to 5, less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 2, less than or equal to 1, or less in otherwise identical untreated produce, and where a ratio of the mean organoleptic intensity value for that note or attribute for the contacted sample to the mean organoleptic intensity value for the otherwise identical untreated produce is greater than or equal to 5, greater than or equal to 10, greater than or equal to 20, greater than or equal to 50, greater than or equal to 100, and/or up to 125, or up to 150. As a specific, nonlimiting, hypothetical example, a sensory panel may determine that untreated red potatoes have a mean organoleptic intensity of 2 for the attribute “spearmint” on the 0 to 150 scale, but red potatoes treated in a container having a headspace concentration of (R)-(-)-carvone (e.g., from spearmint oil in a release device) of at least 1 ppm for at least 3 days have a mean organoleptic intensity of 50 for spearmint.

In some embodiments, a masking component in a mixture comprising a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable property is present in an amount sufficient such that it results in a sensory panel not detecting any of that unfavorable organoleptic property in produce exposed to at least 1 ppm of the mixture for at least 3 days, or detecting that unfavorable organoleptic property but with a mean organoleptic intensity that is less than the intensity in an otherwise identical experiment lacking the masking component by a factor of at least 10, at least 20, at least 50, at least 100, or more.

In some embodiments, the masking component has a favorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce to be treated (e.g., produce with a propensity for sprouting such as potatoes). For example, in some embodiments, the masking component has at least one attribute or note having a mean organoleptic intensity of at least 10, at least 20, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100, at least 125, and/or up to 150 that is also present in untreated (control) produce with a mean organoleptic intensity of at least 10 at least 20, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100 or more on the 0 to 150 sensory panel scale described above. For example, a red potato may have attributes of “sweet aromatic,” “earthy,” and “herbaceous” with mean organoleptic intensities of at least 20, and the masking component may also have attributes of “sweet aromatic,” “earthy,” and “herbaceous” with mean organoleptic intensities of at least 30 on the 0 to 150 scale. Selection of masking components having such favorable organoleptic properties may facilitate the at least partial masking of sprout suppressants having unfavorable organoleptic properties because the masking component can be present in relatively high amounts to overpower the unfavorable sprout suppressant while providing a satisfactory sensory experience for the consumer due to the similarity in organoleptic properties between masking component and the produce.

In some embodiments where the mixture in the delivery material comprises a first component (e.g., comprising one or more active ingredients mentioned herein) and a second component (e.g., comprising one or more active ingredients mentioned herein) (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of the first component to the second component in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001, at least 0.001, at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or greater. In some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of the first component to the second component in the delivery material, by mass, is less than or equal to 100,000, less than or equal to 1,000, less than or equal to 10, less than or equal to 2, less than or equal to 1, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process a ratio of the first component to the second component in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001 and less than or equal to 100,000, at least 0.001 and less than or equal to 1,000, at least 0.1 and less than or equal to 10, at least 0.2 and less than or equal to 2, or at least 0.3 and less than or equal to 1.

In some embodiments, the mixture in the delivery material comprises the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce in an amount sufficient to promote effective sprout suppression in the produce. In some embodiments (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property to the masking component in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001, at least 0.001, at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or greater. In some embodiments, the mixture comprises the masking component in an amount sufficient to at least partially mask the unfavorable organoleptic property of the sprout suppressant. In some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to the produce to the masking component in the delivery material, by mass, is less than or equal to 100,000, less than or equal to 1,000, less than or equal to 10, less than or equal to 2, less than or equal to 1, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property to the masking component in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001 and less than or equal to 100,000, at least 0.001 and less than or equal to 1,000, at least 0.1 and less than or equal to 10, at least 0.2 and less than or equal to 2, or at least 0.3 and less than or equal to 1.

In some embodiments (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of citral to carvone (e.g., (S)-(+)-carvone) in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001, at least 0.001, at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or greater. In some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of citral to carvone (e.g., (S)-(+)-carvone) in the delivery material, by mass, is less than or equal to 100,000, less than or equal to 1,000, less than or equal to 10, less than or equal to 2, less than or equal to 1, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of citral to carvone (e.g., (S)-(+)-carvone) in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001 and less than or equal to 100,000, at least 0.001 and less than or equal to 1,000, at least 0.1 and less than or equal to 10, at least 0.2 and less than or equal to 2, or at least 0.3 and less than or equal to 1. As another example, in some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of citral to (R)-(-)-carvone in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001 and less than or equal to 100,000, at least 0.001 and less than or equal to 1,000, at least 0.1 and less than or equal to 10, at least 0.2 and less than or equal to 2, or at least 0.3 and less than or equal to 1.

In some embodiments (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of lemongrass to caraway seed oil in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001, at least 0.001, at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or greater. In some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of lemongrass to caraway seed oil in the delivery material, by mass, is less than or equal to 100,000, less than or equal to 1,000, less than or equal to 10, less than or equal to 2, less than or equal to 1, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of lemongrass to caraway seed oil in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001 and less than or equal to 100,000, at least 0.001 and less than or equal to 1,000, at least 0.1 and less than or equal to 10, at least 0.2 and less than or equal to 2, or at least 0.3 and less than or equal to 1.

In some embodiments (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of lemongrass to spearmint oil in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001, at least 0.001, at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, or greater. In some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of lemongrass to spearmint oil in the delivery material, by mass, is less than or equal to 100,000, less than or equal to 1,000, less than or equal to 10, less than or equal to 2, less than or equal to 1, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, (e.g., during at least a portion of the releasing process), a ratio of lemongrass to spearmint oil in the delivery material, by mass, is at least 0.00001 and less than or equal to 100,000, at least 0.001 and less than or equal to 1,000, at least 0.1 and less than or equal to 10, at least 0.2 and less than or equal to 2, or at least 0.3 and less than or equal to 1.

A composition comprising a delivery material impregnated with a mixture of active ingredients as described above can be prepared using any of a variety of suitable techniques. In some embodiments, a first portion of delivery material is loaded with a first component of the mixture (e.g., the sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property). Separately, a second portion of delivery material is loaded with a second component of the mixture (e.g., the masking component). Then, the first portion and the second portion can be combined (e.g., via admixture) to form the composition comprising the mixture in the delivery material. The relative amounts of the first portion and the second portion may be chosen to form a composition having a desired mass ratio of the first component to the second component. Alternatively, the first component of the mixture and the second component of the mixture can be combined prior to loading delivery material with the mixture.

It has been realized in the context of this disclosure that an amount of active ingredient in a composition may affect a rate at which the active ingredient is released from the composition. In has been observed herein that for certain active ingredients (e.g., sprout suppressants such as spearmint oil, caraway oil, lemongrass), greater amounts of active ingredient result in faster release of the active ingredient. Such rapid release may in some instances be beneficial for treating produce (e.g., by suppressing sprouting before significant sprouting occurs). However, some active ingredients can be relatively expensive, and high loadings will increase the costs associated with manufacturing the compositions and devices. Therefore, methods and formulations that promote fast release rates with relatively low loadings of active ingredient can provide for produce treatment at lower costs in some instances.

In this context, it has been discovered that the presence of supplemental materials in the composition may promote desired release characteristics of the active ingredients. For example, in some instances where the release rate of an active ingredient is proportional to an amount of the active ingredient in the composition, the presence of a supplemental material (e.g., a supplemental liquid) may result in a release rate at a first amount of active ingredient otherwise only achievable with a second, greater amount of active ingredient (other factors such as delivery material, surrounding atmosphere, and temperature being equal). Therefore, it has been unexpectedly discovered that a certain percentage (e.g., greater than or equal to about 5 wt%, greater than or equal to about 10 wt%, greater than or equal to about 15 wt%, and/or up to about 18 wt%, up to about 20 wt%, up to about 23 wt%, up to about 25 wt%, up to about 50 wt%, or more) of an amount of active ingredient associated with a composition (e.g., associated with a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)) may be replaced with a supplemental material. In some such instances, the replacement may have little (e.g., less than about 10%, less than about 5%, less than about 2%, and/or as low as about 1%) or no effect on the release characteristics of the active ingredient compared to an otherwise identical composition in which none of the active ingredient is replaced with supplemental material. For example, in some embodiments, replacing one third of the active ingredient in a composition comprising 3 g of the active ingredient with supplemental material (resulting in a composition comprising 2 g of an active ingredient and 1 g of supplemental material) has little or no effect on the release characteristics of the active ingredient (e.g., active ingredient is released just as fast as the sample having 3 g of active ingredient). However, in some embodiments, the presence of the supplemental material affects the release characteristics of the active ingredient (e.g., via chemical or physical interactions such as outcompeting the active ingredient for surface binding in the delivery material).

It should be understood that the term “supplemental” material is used herein to distinguish from the active ingredient, which is a different substance than the supplemental material. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is present as a liquid. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is present as a solid. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is a liquid at a first temperature, and is a solid at a second temperature (e.g., the supplemental material may be incorporated into the composition as a liquid at an elevated temperature and then solidify in the composition upon cooling). One such example is non-fractionated coconut oil, which has a melting temperature of 26 °C under standard conditions. Coconut oil may be introduced into the pores of a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) as a liquid at 40 °C, and then the coconut oil may solidify in the pores upon cooling of the composition to below 26 °C.

The use of the term “supplemental material” is used for convenience, and is not meant to imply any particular physical or chemical properties of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, a supplemental material is present in the composition, and the active ingredient in the composition is in the form of a gas or vapor. However, in some embodiments, the active ingredient is a first liquid in the composition and the supplemental material is a second, different liquid in the composition.

In some embodiments, the supplemental material is associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). As in the case of the active ingredient, the supplemental material may be associated with the porous adsorbent ingredient in any of a variety of manners, and methods and devices described herein are not limited to any particular mechanism of association. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is adsorbed to an interior and/or exterior surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Adsorption of the supplemental material to a surface may be primarily based on non-specific forces such as van der Waals forces. However, in some embodiments, the supplemental material may be specifically associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) via any of a variety of interactions such as covalent bonds, electrostatic interactions, pi-pi stacking, specific noncovalent affinity interactions (e.g., via a functional group and/or complexing agent immobilized on a surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is associated with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) via adhesive forces. For example, a liquid supplemental material may associate with a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) via capillary forces when wetting a surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material).

In some embodiments, the supplemental material is within a bulk of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Being within a bulk of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., within an inner 80% of the macroscopic volume of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)) as opposed to being solely associated with an outer macroscopic surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) may contribute at least in part to relatively high loadings of supplemental material, and may contribute to desired release characteristics of the active ingredient (e.g., by filling micropores of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is within at least some of the pores of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., adsorbed to a surface within pores of the porous adsorbent substrate). For example, in FIG. 1C, supplemental material 50 is present within at least some of micropores 42 (e.g., adsorbed to surfaces), as indicated by the dark coloring filling micropores 42 in FIG. 1C.

Association of the supplemental material with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is to be distinguished from other types of liquid interactions solid materials may generally have. For example, supplemental materials described herein stand in contrast to certain existing methods relating to accelerating active ingredient release from materials via external wetting with liquids (e.g., via submersion, suspension, dissolution, etc.). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is present solely within a material of the composition (e.g., a delivery material such as a porous adsorbent material). For example, the supplemental material may be present solely within pores, channels, or other interior regions of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material).

In some embodiments, the active ingredient (e.g., a sprout suppressant) is released from the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., of a release device) without external wetting. In certain embodiments, the active ingredient (e.g., a sprout suppressant) is released from the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., of a release device) without external hydrating. In some embodiments, the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) is released from the delivery material in the gas phase. For example, in certain embodiments, the active ingredient (e.g., a sprout suppressant) is released from a surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and directly into a gas (e.g., vapor phase).

The supplemental material may comprise any of a variety of suitable liquids. The supplemental material may be chosen based on, for example a low cost (e.g., relative to the cost of the active ingredient). In some, but not necessarily all embodiments, the supplemental material is chemically inert (i.e., non-reactive) with respect to the active ingredient and/or an agricultural product to be treated (e.g., produce) (e.g., under conditions at which the composition is stored or used for treating produce). Further, the supplemental material may be biocompatible (with respect to humans). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is non-fouling or able to be stored without becoming rancid on timescales associated with agricultural material production, storing, shipment, and/or use. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is organic in the context of food and farming methods (e.g., produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial components).

The volatility of the supplemental material may be an important factor for the supplemental material in some instances. For example, in some embodiments, the active ingredient is more volatile than the supplemental material. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is volatile at at least one temperature relevant to agricultural treatment. For example, in some embodiments, the active ingredient is volatile at at least one temperature from about 263 K to about 313 K (e.g., from about 268 K to about 303 K, from about 272 K to about 288 K, or at about 293 K). In some embodiments, the active ingredient is volatile at some or all of the temperatures in the ranges described above. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is non-volatile at at least one temperature relevant to agricultural treatment. For example, in some embodiments, the supplemental material is non-volatile at at least one temperature from about 263 K to about 313 K (e.g., from about 268 K to about 303 K from about 272 K to about 288 K, or at about 293 K). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is non-volatile at some or all of the temperatures in the ranges described above. The relative volatility of two substances generally relates to the vapor pressures of the two substances, with the substance having the greater vapor pressure being considered more volatile. In some embodiments, the active ingredient has a greater vapor pressure than that of the supplemental material under at least one set of conditions (e.g., at about 293 K). In some embodiments, the active ingredient has a vapor pressure of greater than or equal to 0.2 Pa, greater than or equal to 0.5 Pa, greater than or equal to 1 Pa, greater than or equal to about 2 Pa, greater than or equal to about 3 Pa, greater than or equal to about 5 Pa, greater than or equal to about 10 Pa, greater than or equal to about 15 Pa, and/or up to about 20 Pa, up to about 50 Pa, up to about 100 Pa, up to about 200 Pa, up to about 500 Pa, up to about 600 Pa, or greater at at least one temperature (e.g., from about 263 K to about 313 K, from about 268 K to about 303 K, from about 272 K to about 288 K, or at about 293 K). In some embodiments, the supplemental material has a vapor pressure of less than or equal to about 150 Pa, less than or equal to about 100 Pa, less than or equal to about 50 Pa, less than or equal to about 25 Pa, less than or equal to about 20 Pa, less than or equal to about 15 Pa, less than or equal to about 10 Pa, less than or equal to about 8 Pa, less than or equal to about 5 Pa, less than or equal to about 4 Pa, less than or equal to about 3 Pa, less than or equal to about 2 Pa, less than or equal to about 1 Pa, or less at at least one temperature (e.g., from about 263 K to about 313 K, from about 268 K to about 303 K, from about 272 K to about 288 K, or at about 293 K). In some embodiments, the active ingredient has a vapor pressure that is at least about 1.1 times, at least about 1.2 times, at least about 1.5 times, at least about 2 times, at least about 5 times, at least about 10 times, and/or up to 20 times greater or more than that of the supplemental material at at least one temperature (e.g., from about 263 K to about 313 K, from about 268 K to about 303 K, from about 272 K to about 288 K, or at about 293K). A greater volatility of the active ingredient than that of the supplemental ingredient may allow release of the active ingredient to a greater extent than the supplemental material, which can be beneficial when relatively rapid release of the active ingredient is desired.

In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises an oil. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises fatty acids (e.g., oleic acid) in relatively large amounts (e.g., at least about 10 wt%, at least about 25 wt%, at least about 50 wt%, at least about 75 wt%, at least 95 wt%, or greater versus the weight of the supplemental material). In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises hydrocarbons (e.g., saturated and/or unsaturated, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic hydrocarbons). In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises hydrocarbons (e.g., higher hydrocarbons such as those having greater than 9 carbons) in relatively large amounts (e.g., at least about 10 wt%, at least about 25 wt%, at least about 50 wt%, at least about 75 wt%, at least 95 wt%, or greater versus the weight of the supplemental material). Having a relatively large amount of fatty acids and/or hydrocarbons may contribute to certain advantageous attributes of the supplemental oil, such as a relatively low volatility, a relatively high viscosity, and in some instances, immiscibility with the active ingredient. In some embodiments, the supplemental material (e.g., a supplemental liquid) is immiscible with the active ingredient (e.g., at a temperature at which the composition is used for treating produce). As mentioned above the supplemental material may be a liquid. In some embodiment, the supplemental material is a liquid at a temperature at which the composition is used for treating produce. In some embodiments, the supplemental material is a liquid at at least one temperature from about 263 K to about 313 K (e.g., from about 268 K to about 303 K or from about 272 K to about 288 K). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is a liquid at some or all of the temperatures in the ranges described above. In some embodiments, a particular binding affinity (as measured by enthalpy of binding) of the supplemental material to the substrate is required such that the active ingredient may be liberated. However, in some embodiments, an excess of supplemental material (e.g., a molar excess) relative to the active ingredient in the composition may be employed to limit an extent of binding of the active ingredient to surfaces of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (even with supplemental materials having relatively low binding affinity for the delivery material).

In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises one or more vegetable oils. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises one or more liquids chosen from canola oil, glycerin corn oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and mineral oil. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises a surfactant. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises amphiphilic molecules. For example, the supplemental material may comprise molecules having hydrophobic (e.g., polar) components and lipophilic components (e.g., fatty acid tails). In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises a glycerin ester. Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerin esters include diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises a collagen-based substance. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises phospholipids. In some embodiments, the supplemental material comprises water (e.g., liquid water). For example, the supplemental material may comprise water in an amount of at least about 10 wt%, at least about 25 wt%, at least about 50 wt%, at least about 75 wt%, at least about 90 wt%, at least about 95 wt%, at least about 98 wt%, at least about 99 wt%, at least about 99.9 wt%, or more. As one example of an embodiment, a composition may comprise a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprising a carbon material (e.g., activated carbon) and/or a silicate material, a supplemental material in the form of a supplemental oil, and a sprout suppressant in the form of spearmint oil or spearmint extract or a component thereof (e.g., carvone). Such a composition may be useful, in some instances, in suppressing sprouting in certain produce such as potatoes.

As one example of an embodiment, a composition may comprise a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprising a carbon material (e.g., activated carbon) and/or a silicate material, a supplemental material in the form of a supplemental oil, and a sprout suppressant in the form of caraway seed oil or a component thereof (e.g., carvone). Such a composition may be useful, in some instances, in suppressing sprouting in certain produce such as potatoes.

The supplemental material may be present in a relatively high quantity in the composition (which may reduce the overall cost of the composition by reducing an amount of active ingredient necessary to achieve a desired release rate). In some embodiments, the supplemental material is present in the composition (e.g., within a bulk of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)) in an amount of greater than or equal to about 1 wt%, greater than or equal to about 2 wt%, greater than or equal to about 5 wt%, greater than or equal to about 8 wt%, greater than or equal to about 15 wt%, greater than or equal to about 18 wt%, and/or up to about 20 wt%, up to about 25 wt%, up to about 30 wt%, or more. The amount of supplemental material present may depend on characteristics of the active ingredient or the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., based on a percentage of pores being micropores). In some embodiments, a total amount of the supplemental material and the active ingredient present in the composition is below a wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Further description of how to determine a wet point is provided below. By not exceeding a wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), the composition may be free of external liquid, which may promote greater durability and flexibility in terms of implementation (e.g., in containers containing produce). In some embodiments, a ratio of the amount of active ingredient present in the composition to the amount of supplemental material (e.g., supplemental liquid) present in the composition is greater than or equal to about 1:10, greater than or equal to about 1:5, greater than or equal to about 1:4, greater than or equal to about 1:3, greater than or equal to about 1:2, greater than or equal to about 1:1, greater than or equal to about 2:1, greater than or equal to about 3:1, greater than or equal to about 4:1, and/or up to about 5:1, up to about 6:1, up to about 7:1, up to about 8:1, up to about 9:1, up to about 10:1, up to about 20:1, or greater by weight percent. In some embodiments, a ratio of the amount of active ingredient present in the composition to the amount of supplemental material (e.g., supplemental liquid) present in the composition is greater than or equal to about 1:10, greater than or equal to about 1:5, greater than or equal to about 1:4, greater than or equal to about 1:3, greater than or equal to about 1:2, greater than or equal to about 1:1, greater than or equal to about 2:1, greater than or equal to about 3:1, greater than or equal to about 4:1, and/or up to about 5:1, up to about 6:1, up to about 7:1, up to about 8:1, up to about 9:1, up to about 10:1, up to about 20:1, or greater by mole percent. The ratio of the amount of active ingredient present to the amount of supplemental material employed in the composition may depend, for example, on the structure of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). For example, in embodiments where a supplemental material accelerates release of active ingredient at least in part by occupying micropores of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), a greater microporosity of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) may lead to a greater amount of supplemental material being employed to achieve a given increase in release rate.

As mentioned above, presence of the supplemental material within the composition may promote accelerated release of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, a composition comprising an active ingredient and a supplemental material is capable of releasing a greater amount of the active ingredient within a period of 50 hours than an otherwise identical composition lacking the supplemental material under essentially identical conditions. In some embodiments, a lesser amount of the active ingredient remains present in the composition after 50 hours (e.g., after 60 hours, after 72 hours, after 100 hours, etc.) of release than an otherwise identical composition lacking the supplemental material under essentially identical conditions. “Essentially identical conditions” in this context refers to other factors that may affect a rate at which an active ingredient is released, such as amount of active ingredient present, type of delivery material, temperature, and surrounding atmosphere (both in composition and pressure).

There are any of a variety of ways in which the presence of a supplemental material may increase a rate of release of an active ingredient for a given amount of active ingredient present. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that certain porous delivery materials comprising relatively small pores such as micropores may tend to retain associated substances within the relatively small pores (e.g., micropores) even upon equilibration of the system (via release of an amount of the active ingredient). The amount of retained active ingredient may depend on the physicochemical characteristics of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), including its pore structure. For example, diffusion within relatively small pores may be mitigated such that the active ingredient may remain associated within the pores even when the active ingredient is relatively volatile. In some such instances, incorporation of a supplemental material may result in some or all of the relatively small pores (e.g., micropores) becoming at least partially filled with the supplemental material instead of the active ingredient. As a result, a larger percentage of the active ingredient in the composition may be in regions of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) for which release is more facile (e.g., from mesopores, macropores, and other more accessible internal and/or external surfaces). For example, in FIG. 1C, supplemental material 50 may occupy micropores 42 such that a greater percentage of active ingredient 30 is located in macropores 40 and mesopores 41 than in the scenario illustrated in FIG. 1A, in which supplemental material 50 is absent.

As mentioned above, in some instances, the supplemental material is introduced to the porous material in a state of matter different than its state during release of the active ingredient (e.g., during application to produce). In a non-limiting example, coconut oil (which has a melting point of approximately 26°C) is introduced as a liquid to the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (either pre-mixed with the active ingredient, or separately) at a temperature of about 40°C, and subsequently allowed to solidify in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material).

Additionally, and again without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, in some instances the supplemental material may have a greater affinity for adsorbing to surfaces of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) than does the active ingredient. For example, the supplemental material may have a greater enthalpy of adsorption to the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) than the enthalpy of adsorption of the active ingredient to the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Such a difference in enthalpies of adsorption may tend to cause the supplemental material to preferentially adsorb to the surfaces, thereby reducing available surface area for active ingredient adsorption. Alternatively or in addition, the supplemental material may be present in the composition in a molar excess with respect to the active ingredient, such that supplemental material out-competes the active ingredient for interactions with surfaces of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (even in some instances where the supplemental material has a lesser binding affinity for the surface than does the active ingredient).

The composition may be prepared using any of a variety of techniques, including those described in more detail below. In some embodiments, preparation of the composition includes impregnating a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) with a supplemental material (e.g., a non-volatile liquid) and an active ingredient to form the composition.

For example, the active ingredient and/or the supplemental material may be mixed with the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) to form a mixture, dropped on to the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., via a syringe), and the like. In some embodiments, the active ingredient and the supplemental material are first mixed to form a liquid mixture that is then applied (e.g., dropped, mixed with) the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) to achieve impregnation. However, it has been unexpectedly observed that stepwise addition of the supplemental material and the active ingredient can affect the release profile of the resulting composition (e.g., resulting in faster release rates). As one example, in some embodiments, a composition is made by impregnating the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) with the supplemental material (e.g., a non-volatile liquid) to form a liquid-impregnated delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Then, the resulting liquid-impregnated adsorbent material may be further impregnated with the active ingredient to form the composition.

The compositions described herein relating to active ingredients (e.g., sprout suppressants such as essential oils) may be incorporated into release devices comprising form factors (e.g., sachets), as described in more detail below.

Certain of the release devices, compositions, and the use of compositions as described herein relate to the release or controlled-release delivery of sprout suppressants (e.g., gas-phase sprout suppressants). In some embodiments, release of the sprout suppressant from the release device functions to reduce or delay sprouting activity of the target produce. In some embodiments, the compositions and use of compositions as described herein relate to the release or controlled-release delivery of gas-phase sprout suppressants from a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). A “vapor-phase sprout suppressant” or “gas-phase sprout suppressant” is a sprout suppressant that is released from the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) in the vapor-phase or gas phase, respectively. Generally the vapor-phase sprout suppressant and/or gasphase sprout suppressant is released at desired conditions (e.g., ambient room temperature (about 20°C - 25°C) and atmospheric pressure). In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is in the vapor phase or gas phase in the atmosphere surrounding the produce upon release.

A release device comprises, in accordance with certain embodiments, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and at least one sprout suppressant. As noted above, the release device may comprise a mixture in the delivery material, the mixture comprising a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic property with respect to produce to be treated and a masking component (which itself may also be a sprout suppressant). In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises a solid material. In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is a solid material. In an embodiment, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises a carbon material. In an embodiment, the porous absorbent material comprises a silica-based material. In an embodiment, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is a carbon material. In an embodiment, the porous absorbent material is a silica-based material.

In one aspect, methods of suppressing sprouts on produce are provided. FIGS. 2A-2B show cross-sectional schematic illustrations of how a release device and associated methods may contribute at least in part to a reduction of sprouting on sprout- susceptible produce (e.g., potatoes). FIG. 2A shows container 100 (e.g., a storage or shipping container) containing produce 200 (e.g., potatoes) in the absence of the compositions and release devices described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, produce 200 can grow sprouts 210, which may make the produce unusable for desired applications. In contrast, FIG. 2B illustrates the effect of certain embodiments described herein. In FIG. 2B, container 100 further comprises release device 300 comprising composition 10 comprising optional delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) 20 associated with an active ingredient in the form of sprout suppressant 30, in accordance with certain embodiments. Release device 300 may be configured to release sprout suppressant 30 into a surrounding atmosphere (e.g., headspace 110 of container 100). Released sprout suppressant 330 may be maintained in container 100 at a relatively high concentration for a relatively long period of time, as described in more detail below. Such a release of sprout suppressant in a container with produce may suppress sprouting. For example, in FIG. 2B, fewer sprouts 210 are observed on produce 200 than are observed in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional schematic illustrations of how a release device and associated methods may contribute at least in part to a reduction of sprouting on sprout-susceptible produce (e.g., potatoes) via the release of a mixture comprising a sprout suppressant having an unfavorable organoleptic profile with respect to the produce and a masking component. In FIG. 2C, container 100 comprises release device 300 comprising composition 10 comprising optional delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) 20 associated with a mixture comprising sprout suppressant 30 (which can have an unfavorable organoleptic property) and masking component 31, in accordance with certain embodiments. Release device 300 may be configured to release the mixture comprising sprout suppressant 30 and masking component 31 into a surrounding atmosphere (e.g., headspace 110 of container 100). Released sprout suppressant 330 and masking component 331 may be maintained in container 100 at a relatively high concentration for a relatively long period of time, as described in more detail below. Such a release of sprout suppressant and masking component in a container with produce may suppress sprouting while avoiding unfavorable organoleptic outcomes such as unsatisfactory taste or smell. For example, in FIG. 2C, fewer sprouts 210 are observed on produce 200 than are observed in FIG. 2A.

In some embodiments, a release device facilitates gaseous fluid flow-driven release from a delivery material. According to certain embodiments, the release device comprises a bed comprising a delivery material and an active ingredient (e.g., in the form of sprout suppressant or a mixture comprising a sprout suppressant, as described elsewhere herein). In some embodiments, the release device comprises a pump. The pump may be fluidically connected to the bed. In some embodiments, the pump is in fluidic communication with the bed. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to direct a flow of gaseous fluid through the bed. The release device comprises a housing, in some embodiments. The pump may be configured to direct a flow of gaseous fluid (e.g., a gas and/or supercritical fluid) into the housing. For example, according to certain embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid is directed into the housing such that the gaseous fluid flows into a housing inlet. For example, a pump (e.g., a fan) connected to a housing comprising the bed may propel gas (e.g., air) through the bed, thereby inducing, maintaining, and/or accelerating release of the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) from the release device. In some embodiments, gaseous fluid-driven release of an active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) facilitates fast, safe, and/or efficient treatment of produce with active ingredients (e.g., sprout suppressants or mixtures thereof), before, during, and/or after their harvest.

Generally, in the context of the present disclosure, a “pump” is any apparatus capable of producing a pressure drop of gaseous fluid. In some embodiments, the pump is a mechanical pump configured to move a fluid (e.g., a gaseous fluid, such as a gas or a supercritical fluid) by mechanical action upon actuation. In some embodiments, the pump is a source of compressed fluid. For example, the pump may be a source of compressed gaseous fluid such as compressed air or a compressed inert gas such as compressed argon. One example of a source of compressed gaseous fluid is a compressed gas cylinder. The device may comprise any of a variety of suitable pumps. For example, in some embodiments, the pump is a gas pump. The pump may comprise, for example, a blower pump, a fan, a rotary vane pump, a scroll pump, a diaphragm pump, a hook and claw pump, a screw rotor pump, a dry piston pump, a sorption pump, an air compressor, a bellow, and/or a reciprocating pump. In some embodiments, the pump comprises a fan.

As used herein, two elements are in fluidic communication with each other (or, equivalently, in fluid communication with each other) when fluid may be transported from one of the elements to the other of the elements without otherwise altering the configurations of the elements or a configuration of an element between them (such as a valve). A pump and a housing connected by an open conduit (thus allowing for the flow of fluid between the pump and the housing) are considered to be in fluidic communication with each other. In contrast, a pump and a housing separated by a closed valve (thus preventing the flow of fluid between the pump and the housing) are not considered to be in fluidic communication with each other.

As used herein, two elements are fluidically connected to each other when they are connected such that, under at least one configuration of the elements and any intervening elements, the two elements are in fluidic communication with each other. A pump and a housing connected by a conduit including a valve that permits flow between the pump and the housing in at least one configuration of the valve would be said to be fluidically connected to each other. To further illustrate, a pump and a housing that are connected by a valve that permits flow between the pump and the housing in a first valve configuration (e.g., an open configuration) but not a second valve configuration (e.g., a closed configuration) are still considered to be fluidically connected to each other both when the valve is in the first configuration and when the valve is in the second configuration. In contrast, a pump and a housing that are not associated with each other in a way that would permit fluid to be transported between them under any configuration would not be said to be fluidically connected to each other. Elements that are in fluidic communication with each other are always fluidically connected to each other, but not all elements that are fluidically connected to each other are necessarily in fluidic communication with each other. Fluidic connections may be either direct fluidic connections or indirect fluidic connections. Generally, a direct fluidic connection exists between a first region and a second region (and the two regions are said to be directly fluidically connected to each other) when they are fluidically connected to each other and when the composition of the fluid at the second region of the fluidic connection has not substantially changed relative to the composition of the fluid at the first region of the fluidic connection (i.e., no fluid component that was present in the first region of the fluidic connection is present in a weight percentage in the second region of the fluidic connection that is more than 5% different from the weight percentage of that component in the first region of the fluidic connection). As an illustrative example, a conduit that connects a pump and a housing, and in which the pressure and temperature of the fluid is adjusted but the composition of the fluid is not altered, would be said to directly fluidically connect the pump and the housing. If, on the other hand, a separation step is performed and/or a chemical reaction is performed that substantially alters the composition of the stream contents during passage from the first component to the second component (e.g., during passage from the pump to the housing, or vice versa), the fluidic connection between the first component and the second component would not be said to be a direct fluidic connection. As another example, in some embodiments a housing inlet may be directly fluidically connected to a housing outlet (e.g., when the housing does not comprise a bed comprising a delivery material associated with an active ingredient). However, in some embodiments, the fluidic connection between the housing inlet and the housing inlet is indirect. For example, in some embodiments, an active ingredient present within a bed of the housing may be released, such that the composition of fluid is substantially changed by the release of the active ingredient.

The fluidic connections described herein may be made using any of a variety of suitable articles. In some embodiments, a fluidic connection can be made using a conduit. In certain embodiments, a fluidic connection can be made using one or more solid surfaces, such as one or more solid plates.

In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid is directed from the inlet, through the bed comprising the delivery material (e.g., a particulate delivery material) and an active ingredient (e.g., in the form of sprout suppressant). According to certain embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid through the bed releases an effluent stream comprising the active ingredient (e.g., the sprout suppressant) from the delivery material. In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid is directed from the bed and out of a housing outlet, releasing the flow of gaseous fluid from the release device. The released effluent stream comprising the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) may then establish a concentration of gaseous active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) in, for example, a container comprising the produce. In some embodiments, the housing comprises a filter. In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid directed from the bed is directed through the filter before and/or after traveling out of the housing outlet. Some such release devices and methods may advantageously accelerate release of the active ingredient compared to techniques that do not employ such directed gaseous fluid flow (e.g., via a pump).

According to certain embodiments, the release device is configured to receive the bed comprising the delivery material. For example, the release device may be configured to receive a removable article (e.g., a cartridge) that comprises the bed. In some embodiments, the release device contains the bed comprising the delivery material. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the release device is configured to retain the delivery material permanently (e.g., as a single-use release device). In some embodiments, the release device is configured such that the delivery material is added or removed to the internal volume without using a cartridge or other type of removable article. For example, the delivery material described herein may be particulate. In some such embodiments, the particulate delivery material can be poured or otherwise directly added to the internal volume.

One advantage of certain of the release devices described herein is that they may be configured to retain large quantities of delivery materials and/or active ingredients. This may be beneficial, for example, when using the delivery material to deliver large quantities of the active ingredient (e.g., the sprout suppressant), and/or to bring the concentration of active ingredient within an enclosure to equilibrium.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional diagram of exemplary release device 401. Release device 401 may comprise housing 403, which comprises housing inlet 405 and housing outlet 407. Release device 401 further comprises pump 420, which comprises pump inlet 422 and pump outlet 424, according to certain embodiments. Although FIG. 3 shows pump 420 in a configuration such that gaseous fluid travels from pump 420 to housing inlet 405, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that other configurations are possible. For example, pump 420 could instead be configured to pull gaseous fluid into pump 420 from housing outlet 407, thereby directing ambient gaseous fluid into housing inlet 405 to replace air pulled out of housing outlet 407. As another example, the pump could be situated between housing inlet 405 and housing outlet 407, such that the pump directs gaseous fluid, in order, into housing inlet 405, through pump 420, and out of housing outlet 407. Thus, the relative position of the release device and the enclosure are not limiting, and other configurations are possible.

FIG. 3 presents a cross-sectional schematic diagram of release device 401 where filters 415 are configured to retain uncontained bed 411 comprising delivery material 413 (e.g., loose particulate delivery material 413) within housing 403, in accordance with some embodiments. One of filters 415 is disposed between the bed 411 and housing outlet 407, in some embodiments. The other of filter 415 is disposed between the internal volume comprising bed 411 and housing inlet 405, as well as between the internal volume comprising bed 411 and pump 420, in some embodiments. While filters 415 are shown in FIG. 3, it should be understood that one or both of filters 415 are optional and that in some embodiments release via gaseous fluid-driven flow is performed without such filters.

In some embodiments, the release device or a component thereof (e.g., a pump) is configured to direct a flow of gaseous fluid. Any of a variety of appropriate types of gaseous fluid may be used. In some embodiments, the gaseous fluid comprises a gas. For example, the gaseous fluid may be a gas. The gas may comprise an inert gas, such as nitrogen, helium, and/or argon. In some embodiments, the gas is or comprises air. According to certain embodiments, the gas comprises an active ingredient (e.g., a sprout suppressant), as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the gaseous fluid comprises a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid may have a temperature and pressure above a thermodynamic critical point, such that it has intermediate characteristics of both gaseous and liquid phases. Examples of supercritical fluids include, but are not limited to, carbon dioxide above a temperature of 31 °C and a pressure of 7400 kPa, and water above a temperature of 374 °C and a pressure of 22100 kPa. In some embodiments, the gaseous fluid comprises a combination of a gas and a supercritical fluid. The gaseous fluid may comprise multiple different types of gases and/or supercritical fluids. For example, the gaseous fluid may comprise a mixture of gases.

The flow of gaseous fluid can have any of a variety of maximum linear velocities. The maximum linear velocity may be sufficiently high to facilitate release of the active ingredient from the delivery material in the bed. In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid has a maximum linear velocity (e.g., at the housing inlet and/or at the housing outlet) of greater than or equal to 0.1 m/s, greater than or equal to 0.2 m/s, greater than or equal to 0.3 m/s, greater than or equal to 0.6 m/s, greater than or equal to 1 m/s, greater than or equal to 2 m/s, greater than or equal to 3 m/s, greater than or equal to 6 m/s, greater than or equal to 12 m/s, or greater. In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid has a maximum linear velocity (e.g., at the housing inlet and/or at the housing outlet) of less than or equal to 50 m/s, less than or equal to 20 m/s, less than or equal to 10 m/s, less than or equal to 6 m/s, less than or equal to 3 m/s, less than or equal to 2 m/s, less than or equal to 1 m/s, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid has a maximum linear velocity (e.g., at the housing inlet and/or at the housing outlet) of greater than or equal to 0.1 m/s, and less than or equal to 50 m/s. The maximum linear velocity may be measured by using an anemometer, positioned at the center of the gaseous flow.

The flow of gaseous fluid can also have any of a variety of suitable volumetric flow rates. In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid has a volumetric flow rate (e.g., at the housing inlet and/or at the housing outlet) of greater than or equal to 100 L/s, greater than or equal to 200 L/s, greater than or equal to 300 L/s, greater than or equal to 400 L/s, greater than or equal to 450 L/s, greater than or equal to 500 L/s, greater than or equal to 1,000 L/s, greater than or equal to 2000 L/s, greater than or equal to 5,000 L/s, or greater. In some embodiments, the flow of gaseous fluid has a volumetric flow rate (e.g., at the housing inlet and/or at the housing outlet) of less than or equal to 50,000 L/s, less than or equal to 20,000 L/s, less than or equal to 10,000 L/s, less than or equal to 5,000 L/s, less than or equal to 2,000 L/s, less than or equal to 1,000 L/s, less than or equal to 500 L/s, less than or equal to 450 L/s, less than or equal to 400 L/s, less than or equal to 300 L/s, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the flow of gas has a volumetric flow rate (e.g., at the housing inlet and/or at the housing outlet) of greater than or equal to less than or equal to 100 L/s, and less than or equal to less than or equal to 50,000 L/s. The volumetric flow rate of a gas may be determined, for example, using an in-line flow meter.

In some embodiments, release of the active ingredient can be actuated by a controller. For example, a controller may be used to control a release device or system as described elsewhere herein. The controller may be operatively coupled to a computer- implemented control system, which is described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the pump can be actuated by the controller (e.g., the pump may be turned on, turned off, or adjusted). According to some embodiments, the controller can be operated according to a program. For example, one or more processors (e.g., of a computer-implemented control system) may be programmed to operate a controller to actuate the pump. As one example, one or more processors (e.g., of a computer- implemented control system) may be programmed to send signals at predetermined time intervals to a controller causing the controller to actuate the pump to increase a rate of directed gaseous fluid flow (e.g., by turning on the pump or accelerating action of the pump such as a rotation rate of a fan) and/or to decrease a rate of directed gaseous fluid flow (e.g., by turning off the pump or decelerating action of the pump such as a rotation rate of a fan). Such a process of actuating the pump may be useful for metering out active ingredient from the delivery material to treat the produce (e.g., at discrete time intervals). As another example, one or more processors (e.g., of a computer- implemented control system) may be programmed to send signals for actuating the pump in response to receiving a signal (e.g., from a detector) indicating a measured parameter meeting or exceeding a predetermined threshold (e.g., a temperature reading in a housing and/or enclosure, a concentration of a certain species such as a gas measured in the housing and/or enclosure). For example, an enclosure (e.g., a storage container or room or a container of a vehicle such as refrigerated truck) may be equipped with a detector such as a thermometer or a gas detector (e.g., an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, an ethylene detector) operatively coupled to a computer-implemented control system. That control system may comprise one or more processors (e.g., via a wired connection or wireless). The one or more processors may be programmed (e.g., with a closed loop process) to adjust a setting of the pump to modulate a flow rate of gaseous fluid through the pump based in response to signals received from the detector to achieve a desired gaseous atmosphere in the container (e.g., a desired concentration of the active ingredient). In some such embodiments the detector is positioned among the produce (e.g., attached to a pallet containing the produce). In some embodiments the detector is integrated with the enclosure (e.g., affixed to a surface of the enclosure).

In some embodiments, the controller may be operated by a user (e.g., using a wired input device or an input device wirelessly coupled to the controller). For example, the system may be placed in a closed room, the user may leave the room, and then the user may begin release of the active ingredient by activating the system via a remotely controlled user interface (which may be wired or wireless). For example, the controller may be operated by a program of one or more processors of a computer-implemented control system configured to convert input from a user into a signal that is sent to the controller and, based on that input, actuate the pump. The actuation signal may increase or decrease a flow rate of gaseous fluid (e.g., by turning the pump on/off or by accelerating/decelerating the pump via movement of valves or modulate of a rotation rate of a motor), depending on, for example, a magnitude or sign of the signal.

Suppression of sprouting may be quantified in a variety of ways. For example, under a given set of conditions and after a period of time of exposure to the sprout suppressant in the container (e.g., at least about 3 days and/or up about 75 days), the number of sprouts observed on the produce may be counted and compared to the number of sprouts observed in an identical set of produce in the absence of the sprout suppressant treatment under otherwise essentially identical conditions. As another example, under a given set of conditions and after a period of time of exposure to the sprout suppressant in the container (e.g., at least about 1 day, at least about 3 days and/or up about 75 days), a total weight of sprouts on the produce may be counted and compared to a total weight of sprouts observed in an identical set of produce in the absence of the sprout suppressant treatment under otherwise essentially identical conditions. The total weight may be determined by removing the sprouts from the produce. In some embodiments, methods described herein reduce sprouting on the produce in the container by at least about 25%, by at least about 50%, by at least about 75%, by at least about 90% or more by number of sprouts over a period of 3 days, over a period of 10 days, over a period of 20 days, over a period of 50 days, or over a period of 75 days. In some embodiments, methods described herein reduce sprouting on the produce in the container by at least about 25%, by at least about 50%, by at least about 75%, by at least about 90% or more by total weight of sprouts over a period of 3 days, over a period of 10 days, over a period of 20 days, over a period of 50 days, or over a period of 75 days.

In an embodiment, a release device comprises a composition comprising a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and at least one sprout suppressant, the at least one sprout suppressant contained within the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is adsorbed on one or more surfaces of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). In some embodiments, one or more sprout suppressants may be stored in and released from the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent materials discussed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, a composition consists essentially of a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and at least one sprout suppressant. In a non-limiting embodiment, the composition consists essentially of a carbon delivery material and at least one sprout suppressant. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises essential oil. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises spearmint oil. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sprout suppressant consists essentially of spearmint oil. In a nonlimiting embodiment, the composition consists essentially of a silica-based delivery material and at least one sprout suppressant. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises essential oil. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises spearmint oil. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sprout suppressant consists essentially of spearmint oil. It should be understood that in the context of this disclosure, any of a variety of suitable delivery materials may be used, depending on desired properties of the compositions and release devices (e.g., cost, release profile, etc.). The porous adsorbent materials described herein are one set of examples of delivery materials (e.g., a carbon delivery material can be a carbon porous adsorbent material). In some embodiments, the one or more sprout suppressants comprises carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant is carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant is an essential oil. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises an essential oil having sprout suppressing qualities. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises an essential oil comprising carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant is an essential oil comprising carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant of the release device may comprise a single essential oil. In other embodiments, the sprout suppressant of the release device may comprise more than one essential oil, for example, two essential oils, three essential oils, four essential oils, or more. The release device may comprise any suitable amount of sprout suppressant.

In some cases, sprout suppressant (or a mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) is present in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) in at least about 12 wt%, at least about 15 wt%, at least about 20 wt%, at least about 30 wt%, at least about 31 wt%, at least about 32 wt%, at least about 33 wt%, at least about 34 wt%, at least about 35 wt%, at least about 36 wt%, at least about 37 wt%, at least about 38 wt%, at least about 39 wt%, at least about 40 wt%, at least about 41 wt%, at least about 42 wt%, at least about 43 wt%, at least about 44 wt%, at least about 45 wt%, at least about 46 wt%, at least about 47 wt%, at least about 48 wt%, at least about 49 wt%, or at least about 50 wt%, versus the total weight of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and the sprout suppressant. In some embodiments, sprout suppressant is present in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) at between about 12 wt% and about 20 wt%, between about 12 wt% and about 24 wt%, between about 12 wt% and about 25 wt%, between about 12 wt% and about 30 wt%, between 12 wt% and about 40 wt%, between 12 wt% and about 45 wt%, between 12 wt% and about 50 wt%, 15 wt% and about 20 wt%, between about 15 wt% and about 24 wt%, between about 15 wt% and about 25 wt%, between about 15 wt% and about 30 wt%, between 15 wt% and about 40 wt%, between 15 wt% and about 45 wt%, between 15 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 30 wt% and about 48 wt%, between about 31 wt% and about 48 wt%, between about 35 wt% and about 48 wt%, 30 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 31 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 35 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 35 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 36 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 37 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 38 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 39 wt% and about 45 wt%, or between about 40 wt% and about 45 wt%, versus the total weight of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and the sprout suppressant.

In some cases where there is a mixture (e.g., of a sprout suppressant and a masking component) in the delivery material, the mixture is present in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) in at least about 12 wt%, at least about 15 wt%, at least about 20 wt%, at least about 30 wt%, at least about 31 wt%, at least about 32 wt%, at least about 33 wt%, at least about 34 wt%, at least about 35 wt%, at least about 36 wt%, at least about 37 wt%, at least about 38 wt%, at least about 39 wt%, at least about 40 wt%, at least about 41 wt%, at least about 42 wt%, at least about 43 wt%, at least about 44 wt%, at least about 45 wt%, at least about 46 wt%, at least about 47 wt%, at least about 48 wt%, at least about 49 wt%, or at least about 50 wt%, versus the total weight of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and the mixture. In some embodiments, mixture is present in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) at between about 12 wt% and about 20 wt%, between about 12 wt% and about 24 wt%, between about 12 wt% and about 25 wt%, between about 12 wt% and about 30 wt%, between 12 wt% and about 40 wt%, between 12 wt% and about 45 wt%, between 12 wt% and about 50 wt%, 15 wt% and about 20 wt%, between about 15 wt% and about 24 wt%, between about 15 wt% and about 25 wt%, between about 15 wt% and about 30 wt%, between 15 wt% and about 40 wt%, between 15 wt% and about 45 wt%, between 15 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 30 wt% and about 48 wt%, between about 31 wt% and about 48 wt%, between about 35 wt% and about 48 wt%, 30 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 31 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 35 wt% and about 50 wt%, between about 35 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 36 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 37 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 38 wt% and about 45 wt%, between about 39 wt% and about 45 wt%, or between about 40 wt% and about 45 wt%, versus the total weight of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and the mixture. In some cases, sprout suppressant is present in the release device in an amount of at least about 0.04g, at least about 0.1g, at least about 0.2g, at least about 0.4g, at least about 0.8g, at least about 1g, at least about 1.2g, at least about 2g, at least about 2.2g, at least about 3g, at least about 3.5g, at least about 4g, at least about 6g, at least about 6.5g, at least about 10g, at least about 13g, at least about 20g, at least about 25g, at least about 50g, at least about 100g, at least about 200g, at least about 400g, or at least about 1000g. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises spearmint oil. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is spearmint oil.

In some cases, sprout suppressant is present in the release device in an amount of up to about 0.05g, up to about 0.15g, up to about 0.25g, up to about 0.5g, up to about 1g, up to about 1.2g, up to about 2g, up to about 2.5g, up to about 3.5g, up to about 4g, up to about 4.5g, up to about 7g, up to about 15g, up to about 30g, up to about 50g, up to about 110g, up to about 220g, or up to about 450g, up to about 1350g. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises spearmint oil. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is spearmint oil.

In some embodiments, sprout suppressant is present in the release device in an amount of between about 0.04g and about 0.15g, between about 0.1g and about 0.25g, between about 0.2g and about 0.45g, between about 0.2g and about 0.5g, between about 0.4g and about 2.5g, between about 0.8g and about 3.5g, between about 2g and about 3.75g, between about 3.5g and about 4.5g, between about 4g and about 6.75g, between about 6.5g and about 13.5g, between about 10g to about 27g, between about 25g to about 55g, between about 50g to about 110g, between about 100g to about 220g, between about 220g to about 450g, or between about 440g to about 1350g. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises spearmint oil. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is spearmint oil.

In some cases, sprout suppressant is present in the release device in an amount of at least about 0.02g, at least about 0.05g, at least about 0.1g, at least about 0.2g, at least about 0.5g, at least about 1g, at least about 2g, at least about 2.5g, at least about 3g, at least about 3.5g, at least about 5g, at least about 7g, at least about 10g, at least about 15g, at least about 20g, at least about 25g, at least about 30g, at least about 50g, at least about 60g, at least about 65g, at least about 100g, at least about 130g, at least about 200g, at least about 250g. at least about 200g, at least about 400g, or at least about 1000g. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is carvone.

In some cases, sprout suppressant is present in the release device in an amount of up to about 0.03g, up to about 0.07g, up to about 0.15g, up to about 0.25g, up to about 0.3g, up to about 0.5g, up to about 0.75g, up to about 1g, up to about 1.5g, up to about 2g, up to about 2.75g, up to about 4g, up to about 8g, up to about 10g, up to about 17g, up to about 25g, up to about 35g, up to about 50g, up to about 67g, up to about 100g, up to about 150g, up to about 200g, up to about 275g, or up to about 800g. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is carvone.

In some embodiments, sprout suppressant is present in the release device in an amount of between about 0.025g and about 0.075g, between about 0.5g and about 0.15g, between about 0.1g and about 0.3g, between about 0.25g and about 1.5g, between about 0.5g and about 2g, between about 1g and about 2.5g, between about 2g and about 2.75g, between about 2.5g and about 4g, between about 3.75g and about 8g, between about 5g and about 10g, between about 7g to about 17g, between about 15g to about 35g, between about 30g to about 55g, between about 30g to about 70g, between about 65g to about 150g, between about 125g to about 275g, or between about 250g to about 800g. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is carvone.

In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises one or more essential oil. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sprout suppressant is an essential oil and/or botanical extract. In an embodiment the sprout suppressant is organic certified. In some embodiments, essential oils have detectable concentrations of terpenes and/or terpenoids that provide sprout suppressing properties. In a non-limiting embodiment, a sprout suppressant comprises a terpene and/or a terpenoid. Non-limiting examples of terpenes include acyclic and cyclic terpenes, monoterpenes, diterpenes, oligoterpenes, and polyterpenes with any degree of substitution. In a non-limiting embodiment, an essential oil comprises at least one of a terpene, a terpenoid, a phenol, or a phenolic compound. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises one or more of spearmint oil, caraway seed oil, dill seed oil, orange peel oil, mandarin orange peel oil, kuromoji oil, gingergrass oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, garlic oil, ruta chalepensis L. oil, eucalyptus oil, coriander oil, sagebrush oil, rosemary oil, muna oil, lemon oil, lime oil, lemon tea tree oil, lemon myrtle oil, litsea citrate oil, litsea cubeba oil, jasmine oil, methyl jasmonate, carvone, and rape oil. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is an essential oil comprising carvone. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is selected from the group consisting of spearmint oil, caraway seed oil, dill seed oil, orange peel oil, mandarin orange peel oil, kuromoji oil, gingergrass oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, garlic oil, ruta chalepensis L. oil, eucalyptus oil, coriander oil, sagebrush oil, rosemary oil, muna oil, methyl jasmonate, carvone, rape oil, and combinations thereof. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, in an embodiment where the sprout suppressant comprises essential oil(s), the weight percent of sprout suppressant in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is equivalent to the sum of the weight percentages of the essential oil sprout suppressants present in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material).

As mentioned above, the sprout suppressant may comprise carvone. It should be understood that carvone has two possible enantiomers. One enantiomer of carvone is (R)-(-)-carvone, and the other enantiomer of carvone is (S)-(+)-carvone. As would be generally understood, references made to a sprout suppressant comprising carvone elsewhere in this disclosure each mean the sprout suppressant comprises one or both enantiomers of carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone, and at least some (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 98 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.9%, or all) of the carvone of the sprout suppressant is (R)-(-)-carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone, and at least some (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 98 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.9%, or all) of the carvone of the sprout suppressant is (S)-(+)-carvone. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone, and at least some (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 98 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.9%) of the carvone of the sprout suppressant is (R)-(-)-carvone and at least some (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 98 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.9%) of the carvone of the sprout suppressant is (S)-(+)-carvone. For example, the sprout suppressant may comprise a racemic mixture of (R)-(-)-carvone and (S)-(+)-carvone.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises an essential oil comprising (R)-(-)-carvone. For example, the sprout suppressant may comprise spearmint oil (or spearmint extract), which comprises (R)-(-)-carvone.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises an essential oil comprising (S)-(+)-carvone. For example, the sprout suppressant may comprise caraway seed oil, which comprises (S)-(+)-carvone.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises citral. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises an essential oil comprising citral. For example, the sprout suppressant may comprise lemongrass, which comprises citral.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises (E)-cinnamaldehyde (e.g., as the sole sprout suppressant or in combination with another active such as citral). In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises an essential oil comprising (£)- cinnamaldehyde. For example, the sprout suppressant may comprise cinnamon bark oil, which comprises (E) -cinnamaldehyde.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises a compound that can affect a biological mechanism of produce, thereby reducing, delaying or eliminating sprouting in the produce. For example, the sprout suppressant may comprise a compound having a moiety that inhibits a biological pathway in the produce that normally leads to sprouting. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant comprises a compound having a moiety that promotes a biological pathway in the produce that reduces or eliminates sprouting in the produce. As one non-limiting example, it is believed that having an alpha-beta-unsaturated carbonyl group (e.g., an alpha-beta- unsaturated ketone, an alpha-beta-unsaturated aldehyde) can contribute to a compound having sprout-suppressing properties. Examples of compounds described in this disclosure having an alpha-beta-unsaturated carbonyl group include carvone and citral. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises 3-decen-2-one and/or 1,4- dimethylnaphthalene. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant is selected from the group consisting of 3-decen-2-one, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant may comprise a single sprout suppressant. In other embodiments, the sprout suppressant may comprise more than one sprout suppressants, for example, two sprout suppressants, three sprout suppressants, four sprout suppressants, or more.

The delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is used, in accordance with certain embodiments, to store and/or release the sprout suppressant. In some embodiments, the sprout suppressant may be in the vapor-phase or gas-phase upon release from the release device. In some embodiments, essential oil having sprout suppressing qualities is released from the composition in the vapor-phase or gas-phase. In some embodiments, spearmint oil is released from the composition in the vapor-phase or gas-phase. In some embodiments, carvone is released from the composition in the vapor-phase or gas-phase.

In some embodiments, caraway seed oil is released from the composition in the vapor-phase or gas-phase.

In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises one or more of macropores, mesopores, and micropores. In a non-limiting embodiment, macropores are pores having a diameter greater than 50 nm. For example, macropores may have diameters of between 50 and 1000 nm. In a non-limiting embodiment, mesopores are pores having a diameter between 2 nm and 50 nm. In a nonlimiting embodiment, micropores are pores having a diameter of less than 2 nm. For example, micropores may have diameters of between 0.2 and 2 nm. Pore diameters may be determined using, for example, the method of Barrett, Joyner, and Halenda in ASTM Standard Test Method D4641-17.

In some embodiments, at least about 10%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or more of the total pore volume of the adsorbent material is occupied by pores having a pore diameter of at least about 0.1 nm, at least about 0.2 nm, at least about 0.5 nm, at least about 1 nm, at least about 2 nm, at least about 5 nm, at least about 10 nm, at least about 20 nm, at least about 50 nm, or greater. In some embodiments, at least about 10%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or more of the total pore volume of the adsorbent material is occupied by pores having a pore diameter less than or equal to about 1000 nm, less than or equal to about 500 nm, less than or equal to about 200 nm, less than or equal to about 100 nm, less than or equal to about 50 nm, less than or equal to about 20 nm, less than or equal to about 10 nm, less than or equal to about 5 nm, less than or equal to about 2 nm, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible.

In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is a solid material having a high surface area, as described in more detail herein. Without wishing to be limited by any particular theory or mechanism, porous, high surface area materials are beneficial in this application due to their adsorption capacity and sufficient affinity arising from that adsorption capacity to exhibit volatile retention (e.g. of essential oil) greater than the evaporation retention of a neat liquid. In a non-limiting embodiment, a high-surface area material is a material with a total chemical surface area, internal and external, of at least about 100 m ² /g. In some embodiments, a high- surface area material is a material with a total chemical surface area, internal and external, greater than about 400 m ² /g. In some embodiments, a high-surface area material is a material with a total chemical surface area, internal and external, of at least about 500 m ² /g. In some embodiments, a high-surface area material is a material with a total chemical surface area, internal and external, greater than about 1000 m ² /g. In some embodiments, a high- surface area material is a material with a total chemical surface area, internal and external, greater than about 2000 m ² /g. The terms “total chemical surface area, internal and external”, “chemical surface area” and “surface area” are used interchangeably herein. In some embodiments, the delivery material has a total chemical surface area, internal and external, of at least 1 m ² /g, at least 10 m ² /g, at least 100 m ² /g, at least 400 m ² /g, at least 500 m ² /g, at least 1000 m ² /g, or greater. In some embodiments, the delivery material has a total chemical surface area, internal and external, of less than or equal to 10,000 m ² /g, less than or equal to 5000 m ² /g, less than or equal to 1500 m ² /g, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 100 to about 1500 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 300 to about 1500 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 500 to about 1500 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 600 to about 1500 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 650 to about 1500 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 650 to about 1300 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 650 to about 1200 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 800 to about 1200 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 850 to about 1200 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 900 to about 1200 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 900 to about 1150 m ² /g. In an embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a surface area in the range of about 900 to about 1500 m ² /g. Those of ordinary skill in the will be aware of methods for determining the total chemical surface area, internal and external, for example, using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of nitrogen or noble gas desorption when a material (e.g., a porous material) is exposed to vacuum at a given temperature, for instance as by the ISO 9277 standard.

In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises optionally an adsorption-modifying functionality. An adsorptionmodifying functionality is any chemical functionality that modifies the interaction between an sprout suppressant and a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), such that the introduction of the chemical functionality (a) increases or decreases the storage capacity of a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (with respect to the storage capacity of the delivery material absent that chemical functionality) for sprout suppressant, or (b) accelerates or decelerates the release of sprout suppressant from a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (with respect to the release of sprout suppressant from the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) absent that chemical functionality). Such modifiable interactions include, but are not limited to, covalent binding, dative binding, electrostatic binding, van der Waals binding, or chelative binding of an appropriate sprout suppressant. A non-limiting example of an adsorption-modifying functionality is one or more hydrophobic groups, for instance trimethylsilyl-functionalities, incorporated in a delivery material via grafting. While the compositions here are not limited to any particular theory or mechanism, it is contemplated that adsorption-modifying functionalities comprising hydrophobic or aliphatic groups in the pore space of the delivery material promote van der Waals interactions with hydrophobic sprout suppressants to help stabilize the hydrophobic sprout suppressants. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises more than one type of adsorption-modifying functionality.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the composition comprises a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), being a carbon material, and at least one sprout suppressant. A carbon material may be of various geometries and formations including, but not limited to, macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous carbon materials, monolithic carbon materials, extruded or pelletized carbon materials, steam-activated carbon materials, oxidized carbon materials, or acid- or base-treated carbon materials. In some embodiments, the following carbon materials may be used as porous absorbent materials for the release devices described herein: carbon black (e.g. such as generally indicated by CAS No.: 1333-86-4) or lampblack carbon; activated carbon (also referred to as activated charcoal) (e.g. such as generally indicated by CAS No.: 7440-44-0); carbon in powder, granule, film, or extrudate form; optionally, carbon mixed with one or more adjuvants or diluents; carbon (e.g., activated carbon) sold commercially; carbon derived from coconut, coal, wood, anthracite, or sand (Carbon Activated Corporation) and the like; reactivated carbon; ash, soot, char, charcoal, coal, or coke; vitreous carbon; glassy carbon; bone charcoal. Each of those carbons, whether commercially acquired or manufactured by hand as known in the art can be further modified to form other delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)s for the release device described herein by operations including, but not limited to heat treating materials, oxidation, and/or acid- or base-treatment to arrive at other delivery materials and matrices described herein.

Therefore, any carbons derived from, for example: carbon black or lampblack carbon, activated carbon or activated charcoal, carbon in powder, granule, film, or extrudate form, reactivated carbon, ash, soot, char, charcoal, coal, or coke, vitreous carbon, glassy carbon, or bone charcoal through the modification of the parent carbon with, for example, adsorption-modifying functionalities, one or more acids, bases, oxidants, hydrolyzing reagents, or a combination thereof may be used to form the compositions described herein. Non-limiting examples of carbon materials are described in U.S.

Patent Application Publication No. US 2019/0037839 published on February 8, 2019 and entitled “Compositions for Controlled Release of Active Ingredients and Methods of Making Same,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises carbon. In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises a carbon material. In some embodiments, the amount of carbon in the delivery material is at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 99 wt%, or at least 99.9 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 75 wt% to 100 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 80 wt% to 100 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 90 wt% to 100 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 95 wt% to 100 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 93 wt% to 99 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 94 wt% to 98 wt%. In a non-limiting embodiment, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) that is a carbon material comprises carbon in an amount of 90 wt% to 95 wt%. In some embodiments where the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises activated carbon, a relatively high percentage of the delivery material is activated carbon. In some embodiments, the amount of activated carbon in the delivery material is at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 99 wt%, or at least 99.9 wt%.

In some embodiments where the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) comprises a carbon material, a relatively high percentage of the carbon material is elemental carbon (carbon having an oxidation state of 0). In some embodiments, the carbon material comprises elemental carbon in an amount of greater than or equal to 50 atomic percent (at%), greater than or equal to 75 at%, greater than or equal to 90 at%, greater than or equal to 95 at%, greater than or equal to 98 at%, and/or up to 99 at%, or up to 100 at%.

In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) has a relatively high iodine number. In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., a carbon material, a silicate material) has an iodine number of greater than or equal to 0 mg/g, greater than or equal to 100 mg/g, greater than or equal to 200 mg/g, greater than or equal to 500 mg/g, greater than or equal to 800 mg/g, greater than or equal to 1000 mg/g, and/or up to 1200 mg/g, up to 1500 mg/g, up to 2000 mg/g, or higher. Combinations of these ranges (e.g., greater than or equal to 0 mg/g and less than or equal to 2000 mg/g, greater than or equal 500 mg/g and less than or equal to 2000 mg/g, or greater than or equal to 800 mg/g and less than or equal to 1200 mg/g) are possible.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the composition comprises a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) being a silicate material, (also referred to herein as a silica-based material), and at least one sprout suppressant. Silica-based materials generally include silicon atoms and oxygen atoms at least some of which are bound to silicon atoms. The silicon atoms and the oxygen atoms may be present in the silica- based material, for example, in the form of oxidized silicon. Silica-based materials include materials that are or comprise silicon dioxide, other forms of silicates, and combinations thereof. Silica-based materials may include, in addition to the silicon and oxygen atoms, other materials such as metal oxides (e.g., aluminum oxide (AI2O3)). Silica-based materials may include organosilicate hybrids. In some embodiments, the amount of silicon atoms, by weight, in the silica-based material is at least about 1 wt%, at least about 3 wt%, at least about 5 wt%, at least about 10 wt%, or at least about 20 wt%. In some embodiments, the amount of oxygen atoms, by weight, in the silica-based material is at least about 1 wt%, at least about 3 wt%, at least about 5 wt%, at least about 10 wt%, or at least about 20 wt%. In certain embodiments, the total amount of the silicon atoms and the oxygen atoms within the silica-based material is at least about 1 wt%, at least about 3 wt%, at least about 5 wt%, at least about 10 wt%, at least about 20 wt%, at least about 25 wt%, at least about 30 wt%, at least about 40 wt%, at least about 50 wt%, at least about 60 wt%, at least about 70wt%, at least about 80 wt%, at least about 90 wt%, at least about 95 wt%, or at least about 99 wt%.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (e.g., the silica-based material) is or comprises a silicate. Silicates may include neosilicates, sorosilicates, cyclosilicates, inosilicates, phyllosilicates, and tectosilicates. In some embodiments, at least about 1 wt%, at least about 3 wt%, at least about 5 wt%, at least about 10 wt%, at least about 20 wt%, at least about 25 wt%, at least about 30 wt%, at least about 40 wt%, at least about 50 wt%, at least about 60 wt%, at least about 70wt%, at least about 80 wt%, at least about 90 wt%, at least about 95 wt%, or at least about 99 wt% of the porous absorbent material is made of silicate.

In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, the amount of silicon dioxide in the delivery material is at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.9 wt%, or greater.

A silica-based material may be of various geometries and formations including, but not limited to, macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous silica-based materials, amorphous silica, fumed silica, particulate silica of all sizes, ground quartz, particulate, fumed, crystalline, precipitated, and ground silicon dioxide and associated derivatives, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a silica-based material comprises silica gel, or precipitated, crystalline-free silica gel (such as generally indicated by CAS No.: 112926-00-8), or amorphous, fumed (crystalline free) silica (such as generally indicated by CAS No.: 112945-52-5), or mesostructured amorphous silica (such as generally indicated by CAS No.: 7631-86-9). In some embodiments, silica-based material further comprises one or more of a metal oxide, metalloid oxide, and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the silica-based delivery material further comprises one or more of zinc oxide, titanium oxide, group 13 or 14 oxide, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, silica-based delivery material further comprises aluminum oxide or a portion of aluminum oxide.

In some embodiments, a delivery material comprising a silica-based material comprises silica. Silicate materials are available from commercial sources in a wide array of states with respect to surface areas, porosities, degrees of surface functionalization, acidity, basicity, metal contents, and other chemical and physicochemical features. Commercial silicates may be in the form of powder, granules, nanoscale particles, and porous particles. In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises silica gel. In some embodiments, the silica-based delivery material comprises silica gel. In some embodiments, the silica-based delivery material comprises one or more of macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous silica. In some embodiments the delivery material comprises precipitated, crystalline-free silica gel (such as generally indicated by CAS No.: 112926-00-8). In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises amorphous, fumed (crystalline free) silica (such as generally indicated by CAS No. 112945-52-5). In some embodiments, the delivery material comprises mesostructured amorphous silica (such as generally indicated by CAS No. 7631-86-9).

In some embodiments, the amount of silicate material in the delivery material is relatively high. In some embodiments, the amount of silicate material in the delivery material is at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 99 wt%, at least 99.9 wt%, or greater.

In an embodiment, a release device comprises: a composition comprising a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) impregnated with sprout suppressant, the composition incorporated into a form factor. For example, in FIG. 2B and in FIG. 2C, release device 300 comprises optional form factor 310 comprising composition 10. In an embodiment, form factor is, for example, a packet, pouch, sachet, or pad. In an embodiment, the form factor comprises a packet, pouch, sachet, or pad. In a nonlimiting embodiment, the composition is incorporated into a form factor by being sealed inside the form factor. In an embodiment, the form factor comprises a porous material. In a non-limiting embodiment, the form factor is comprised of a material that is one or more of food safe, non-absorptive, air permeable (but not necessarily porous). In a nonlimiting embodiment, the one or more of food safe, non-absorptive, air permeable (but not necessarily porous) structure comprises a sachet. In a non-limiting embodiment, the sachet is porous. In an embodiment, the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is charged with sprout suppressant prior to being deposited and sealed in a sachet. For example, the sachet may be prepared by depositing the composition in the sachet and then sealing the sachet.

In an embodiment, the form factor comprises PE (polyethylene) [whether HDPE (high density polyethylene) or LDPE (low density polyethylene)], PLA (polylactic acid), starch, PP (polypropylene), nylon, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), non-woven fabric or paper, paper, burlap (as from jute, hemp or another fiber), cellulose-based material, polyester, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, the form factor is a sachet which comprises polyethylene (e.g., TYVEK™). In an embodiment, the form factor is a sachet made of polyethylene (e.g., TYVEK™). In a non-limiting embodiment, the sachet may be perforated. In a non-limiting embodiment, the Gurley Hill porosity measurement of a sachet material is 20-50 sec/100 cm ² -in, or 30-40 sec/100 cm ² -in, or 45-60 sec/100 cm ² -in, 60-150 sec/100 cm ² -in, or 100-400 sec/100 cm ² -in, or 300-400 sec/100 cm ² -in. In an embodiment, the form factor material is food-safe. In an embodiment, the sachet material is food-safe.

In a non-limiting embodiment, a release device contains delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) in an amount of between about 0.1g and about 0.25g, between about 0.25g and about 0.5g, between about 0.5g and about 1g, between about 1g and about 5g, between about 2g and about 7g, between about 5g and about 8g, between about 8g and about 10g, between about 10g and about 15g, between about 15g and about 30g, between about 30g and about 60g, between about 60g and about 120g, between about 120g and 250g, between about 250g and about 500g, between about 500g and about 1kg, between about 1 kg and about 3 kg, between aboutl kg and about 3 kg, between about 3kg and about 5kg, between about 5kg and about 10kg, or between about 10kg and about 20 kg. The release device as described herein can be incorporated into produce storage facilities and produce packaging systems in a variety of different manners. In an embodiment, a release device as described herein may be used in containers containing produce, for example, containers for distribution and shipment of produce. In an embodiment, release devices as described herein may be introduced into 5-100 lb containers of potatoes, and more typically in containers of potatoes having a weight between 5-501bs. A container comprising the release device can be, for example, a container to which the release device can be permanently or removably affixed. Alternatively, the release device may not be affixed to the container and instead may be placed freely inside the container. In some embodiments, the container is a container open to a surrounding atmosphere (e.g., via an opening (such as a removed lid), holes, and the like). In some embodiments, the container is a closed container (e.g., a substantially fluidically sealed container). In some embodiments, the container may either be an open container or a closed container, depending on how it is configured at a given moment. In some embodiments, the container has a volume of less than or equal to about 10 m ³ , less than or equal to about 5 m ³ , less than or equal to about 2 m ³ , less than or equal to about 1 m ³ , or less, and/or as low as about 0.5 m ³ , as low as about 0.1 m ³ or less. Certain compositions, release devices, and methods described herein (e.g., related to controlled release of active ingredients such as sprout suppressants) may be useful with relatively small containers, as certain existing methods for sprout suppression such as fumigation may not be suitable for small containers. In some embodiments, an entirety of the release device is within the container containing the produce. In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., as part of the release device) is in the container containing the produce. In some embodiments, the delivery material (e.g., as part of the release device) is on the container containing the produce.

In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant (or a mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) is associated with or impregnated in the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) below the threshold of the wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). The wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is defined as the ratio (or percent) at which a liquid completely fills the vacant volumes (pores) of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) during titration. When titrating oil into the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), the wet point is reached when oil begins to collect visibly on the surface of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) and can be blotted onto a dry piece of Whatman filter paper (Grade 1) from the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material).

Without wishing to be limited by any particular theory or mechanism, it is believed that charging a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) with a sprout suppressant below the wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is advantageous because oil added past the wet point will bleed through and potentially corrode the outer form factor material of the release device (for example Tyvek, Mylar, and/or LDPE). For example, if the wet point of a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is 0.6g oil: 1 g delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material), then a formulation having a ratio greater than or equal to 0.6g oil: 1 g delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) (or more) will be wet to the touch and potentially “bleed” through packaging, which is undesirable in commercial applications. Additionally, if the wet oil (versus vapor phase sprout suppressant) comes into direct contact with produce, such as potatoes, the produce will effectively be directly rubbed with highly concentrated sprout suppressant (and/or essential oil), which may result in necrosis and strong organoleptic effects. Moreover, in the case of delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent materials comprising essential oil sprout suppressants in excess of the wet point, for example, the concentration of the representative active volatile in the headspace air will be dominated by the vapor pressure of the neat liquid oil. In that scenario, the representative active volatile in headspace air is not considered to be controlled-release delivery of vapor-phase or gas-phase sprout suppressants.

In an embodiment, the release device is prepared by impregnating a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) with a sprout suppressant. Impregnating, loading, or charging of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) with sprout suppressant can be performed by the following general method. To the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) is added an amount of essential oil corresponding to an essential oikdelivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) ratio lower than the wet point. The essential oil and delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) mixture is placed into a drum and rolled gently on a drum roller for a period of at least thirty minutes. Using conventional filling methods, the resulting sub-wet point composition is then loaded into a form factor, such as a sachet for commercial use. As will be understood by a skilled artisan, the above procedure may be used with any essential oil or botanical extract sprout suppressant to associate the sprout suppressant with a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) below the wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). Additionally, as will be understood by a skilled artisan, the above procedure may be used with non-essential oil/non-botanical extract sprout suppressants such as 3-decen-2-one and/or 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, for example, to associate the sprout suppressant with a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) below the wet point of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material). As a skilled artisan will appreciate, different starting weights of the sprout suppressant and delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) may be used in order to arrive at a different sprout suppressant weight percentage in the composition.

Measurement of Sprout Suppressant Release from a Release Device

In some embodiments, the release characteristics of sprout suppressant from a release device can be assessed by measuring the concentration of sprout suppressant maintained in the headspace of a container over time. In some embodiments the concentration in the headspace of a container is reported in ppm. As used herein unless otherwise stated, “ppm” means the ratio, in pL/L, of an analyte gas (or representative active volatile) to air as measured at 20°C and 1 atm pressure. In some embodiments, the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container is calculated via headspace analysis (during a release test as discussed below) of a representative active volatile component of a sprout suppressant in the composition. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile for headspace analysis is a volatile component of one or more sprout suppressant essential oils or sprout suppressant botanical extracts of the composition that is a vapor-phase or gas-phase compound upon release from the composition i) resolvable via gas chromatography (GC) analysis (e.g., the peak can be separated from other GC peaks and the volatile has a commercially available standard), and ii) known to exhibit sprout suppressing activity. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile is the largest contributor to signal when under headspace gas chromatographic analysis. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile is a terpene. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile is carvone. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile is a carvone derivative. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile is eugenol. In some embodiments, the representative active volatile is a eugenol derivative, for example, eugenyl acetate. In a non-limiting embodiment, when a release device comprises spearmint oil or spearmint extract, the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container over time is calculated via headspace analysis (during a release test as discussed below) of carvone. In a nonlimiting embodiment, when a release device comprises caraway oil or caraway extract, the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container over time is calculated via headspace analysis (during a release test as discussed below) of carvone. In a nonlimiting embodiment, when a release device comprises clove oil or clove extract, the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container over time is calculated via headspace analysis (during a release test as discussed below) of eugenol. In a non-limiting embodiment, when a release device comprises clove oil or clove extract, the concentration of sprout suppressant in the headspace of a container over time is calculated via headspace analysis (during a release test as discussed below) of eugenyl acetate. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, for a pure compound measured via headspace analysis (e.g., carvone, eugenol, or eugenyl acetate), molar and mass quantities are interconvertible, and that either may be converted to volume for a gas, provided temperature, pressure, and the molecular weight of the gas are known, as determined using the ideal gas law.

An example method for determining the concentration of sprout suppressant maintained in a container over time is discussed below. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, for release tests relying on headspace analysis of a representative active volatile, terpene, carvone, eugenol, or eugenyl acetate, the compound sampled is used as a proxy to report the concentration of sprout suppressant in the container. In other words, the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container is reported to be equivalent to the concentration of the selected representative active volatile of the sprout suppressant measured. Concentration of a sprout suppressant in a container over time during a release test is determined is as follows. A release device comprising sprout suppressant is placed in a sealed, air-tight container. The volume of the container for the release test is selected in accordance with the following ratio - 0.061g of sprout suppressant (i.e. representative active volatile): IL container volume. For example, a release test to measure the concentration of sprout suppressant maintained over time for release device comprising 0.915g of carvone should be tested in a container having a volume of 15L. The container has or is modified with a septum port for non-invasive gas sampling. As described below, during the release test, a sample of the sprout suppressant released into the container is collected using conventional headspace methodologies (such as employing a gas-tight syringe for sampling) and measured (e.g. using a gas chromatograph (GC)) after an established period of time, as discussed below.

A non-limiting example of how to measure the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container is as follows. The release study commences at time zero, immediately after the release device is placed into the container and the container is sealed (e.g. by closing the lid). In an embodiment, the container is permitted to equilibrate for the 24 hours following time zero. A sample of the sprout suppressant released from the release device over the 24 hours after time zero is collected (e.g. using conventional headspace methodologies). The sample of sprout suppressant is then measured (e.g., using a gas chromatograph (GC)). As the release test continues and until the end of the release test, to measure the concentration of sprout suppressant maintained in the container over time, every 24 hours following the first sample, the container is vented by briefly (e.g. by removing the lid of the container and then closing the lid). For this release test method, it is important that the container have 24 hours to build concentration prior to each new sample taken from the container.

Those with ordinary skill in the art will be aware of conventional headspace methodologies that use, for example, gas chromatography (GC). A non-limiting example of a method that uses headspace analysis to measure concentration of sprout suppressant is provided as follows. The release device comprising sprout suppressant, is placed in a septum-equipped container discussed above. The area of the GC peak may be calibrated by comparison against an internal standard. In each instance, the flame ionization detector (FID) response of the GC instrument is calibrated by the injection of variable quantities of a known standard of the pure analyte and using methods understood to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the pure analyte is the representative active volatile as discussed above.

GC measurement of a headspace concentration in ppm using an established calibration will be understood by those skilled in the art. Again, as used herein unless otherwise stated, “ppm” means the ratio, in pL/L, of an analyte gas (or representative active volatile) to air as measured at 20°C and 1 atm pressure. For a release test as discussed above, the concentration of sprout suppressant in a container is calculated using the equation below: Concentration (ppm), wherein: A = peak area from GC-FID result from the sample gas injection into the GC, C = Slope of the linear GC calibration in mol/arbitrary signal, and V = Volume of the sample gas injection into the GC (in L).

In an embodiment, for calculating the release of carvone (for example, as a proxy for assessing the release of spearmint oil) from a release device, the area of the GC peak may be calibrated against known quantities of carvone. Carvone is obtainable as a 98.5% pure liquid (for example, from Sigma Aldrich chemical company) which may be dissolved to a known concentration in a solvent (e.g. hexane, pentane, or methanol) and injected as a solution of known concentration for GC measurement. In an embodiment, for calculating the release of eugenol (for example, as a proxy for assessing the release of clove oil) from a release device, the area of the GC peak may be calibrated against known quantities of eugenol. Eugenol is obtainable as a 99% pure liquid (for example, from Sigma Aldrich chemical company) which may be dissolved to a known concentration in a solvent (e.g. hexane, pentane, or methanol) and injected as a solution of known concentration for GC measurement. In a non-limiting embodiment, the release of an essential oil sprout suppressant may be calculated based on headspace sampling of its representative active volatile during a release test as discussed above. It should be understood that throughout the duration of the release tests, temperature and atmospheric pressure around the release device is kept substantially constant. In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant in the container measured at each time point of the release test is at least 1 ppm. In an embodiment, the sprout suppressant comprises carvone.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 1 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 1 .5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 2 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 2.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days. In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 3 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 3.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 4 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 4.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 5.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 10.0 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 20.0 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 50.0 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least 100.0 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at up to 150 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 0.75 ppm to about 1.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 0.90 ppm to about 1.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days. In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 0.90 ppm to about 1.25ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 1.25 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 1.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 2 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 3 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 4 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 5.5 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is concentration of between about 1 ppm to about 150.0 ppm for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of at least about 0.5 ppm, at least about 0.1 ppm, at least about 0.01 ppm, at least about 1 ppm, at least about 2 ppm, at least about 3 ppm, at least about 4 ppm, at least about 5 ppm, at least about 10.0 ppm, at least about 20.0 ppm, at least about 50.0 ppm, at least about 100.0 ppm, and/or up to about 150.0 ppm or greater for a period of up to 10 days, up to 25 days, up to 40 days, up to 50 days, up 75 days, up to 100 days, or up to 150 days, or more.

The concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) at which the container is maintained may affect both an extent of sprout suppression achieved as well as resulting properties of the produce. In some instances, the concentration employed is such that a balancing of competing effects is achieved. For example, it has been observed that relatively high levels of some, but not necessarily all sprout suppressants over the time periods mentioned above may cause taste effects in the resulting produce (e.g., potatoes). The ranges of sprout suppressant concentrations described above have been observed, in some instances, to be sufficiently high to suppress sprouting in some produce, while not so high as to cause undesirable taste effects in that produce.

In an embodiment, the concentration of sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) in the container is maintained at a concentration of up 6 ppm, up to 8 ppm, up to 10 ppm, or greater for a period of at least 3 days, or at least 4 days, or at least 5 days, or at least 6 days, or at least 7 days, or at least 8 days, or at least 9 days, or at least 10 days, or at least 12 days, or at least 15 days, or at least 20 days, or at least 25 days, or at least 30 days, or at least 35 days, or at least 40 days, or at least 45 days, or at least 50 days, or at least 55 days, or at least 60 days, or at least 75 days, or more.

In some embodiments, the produce is continuously exposed, over a period of at least 3, at least 5, at least 7, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 30, at least 45, at least 60, or at least 75 days or more, to a concentration of at least at least 1 ppm, at least 1.5 ppm, at least 2 ppm, at least 2.5 ppm, at least 3 ppm, at least 3.5 ppm, at least 4.0 ppm, at least 4.5 ppm, at least 5.0 ppm, at least 10.0 ppm, at least about 20.0 ppm, at least 50.0 ppm, at least about 100.0 ppm, and/or up to about 150.0 ppm of the sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) (e.g., emanating from the delivery material).

In some embodiments, a delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) releases and/or is configured to release the active ingredient at a temperature. In this context, the temperature refers to the temperature of the area surrounding the site of release of the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant). For example, in embodiments in which the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) is released in a container (e.g., comprising produce such as potatoes), the temperature refers to an average temperature in that container (e.g., as measured by one or more thermometers within the enclosure). The temperature at which the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) releases that active ingredient (and/or is configured to release the active ingredient) may be measured, for example, placing a thermocouple in contact with fluid (e.g., gas such as air) in the area surrounding the site of release of the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant).

In some embodiments, the release device (e.g., comprising the delivery material) releases and/or is configured to release the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) at a temperature of greater than or equal to -2 °C, greater than or equal to -1 °C, greater than or equal to 0 °C, greater than or equal to 2 °C, greater than or equal to 4 °C, greater than or equal to 10 °C, greater than or equal to 15 °C, greater than or equal to 20 °C, or greater. In some embodiments, the release device (e.g., comprising the delivery material) releases and/or is configured to release the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) at a temperature of less than or equal to 50 °C, less than or equal to 40 °C, less than or equal to 30 °C, less than or equal to 25 °C, less than or equal to 22 °C, less than or equal to 20 °C, less than or equal to 15 °C, less than or equal to 11 °C, less than or equal to 10 °C, less than or equal to 6 °C, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the release device (e.g., comprising the delivery material) releases and/or is configured to release the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) at a temperature of greater than or equal to -2 °C, and less than or equal to 50 °C, greater than or equal to -2 °C and less than or equal to 30 °C, greater than or equal to 2 °C and less than or equal to 25 °C, or greater than or equal to -2 °C and less than or equal to 15 °C.

In some embodiments, the temperature of the porous adsorbent material (which, in this context, refers to the spatially averaged temperature of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material)) during the release of at least a portion (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 85 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 99 wt%, or all) of the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) is greater than or equal to -2 °C, greater than or equal to -1 °C, greater than or equal to 0 °C, greater than or equal to 2 °C, greater than or equal to 4 °C, greater than or equal to 10 °C, greater than or equal to 15 °C, greater than or equal to 20 °C, or greater. In some embodiments, the temperature of the delivery material (e.g., porous adsorbent material) during the release of at least a portion (e.g., at least 10 wt%, at least 25 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 85 wt%, at least 95 wt%, at least 99 wt%, or all) of the active ingredient (e.g., sprout suppressant) is less than or equal to 50 °C, less than or equal to 30 °C, less than or equal to 25 °C, less than or equal to 22 °C, less than or equal to 20 °C, less than or equal to 15 °C, less than or equal to 11 °C, less than or equal to 10 °C, less than or equal to 6 °C, or less. Combinations of these ranges are possible (e.g., greater than or equal to -2 °C and less than or equal to 50 °C; greater than or equal to -2 °C and less than or equal to 30 °C; greater than or equal to 2 °C and less than or equal to 25 °C; greater than or equal to 2 °C and less than or equal to 6 °C; greater than or equal to -2 °C and less than or equal to 15 °C).

“Produce” as used herein and above means post-harvest agricultural and horticultural products that have a propensity toward sprouting. Examples of produce that may be treated by the compositions and release devices described herein include, but are not limited to various roots, tap roots, tubers, stem roots, rhizomes, and bulbs such as potatoes (Solarium tuberosum), sweet potato, yam, taro, ginseng, cassava, dahlia, onions (Allium sp.), shallot, turnip (brassica rapa), ginger (Zingiber officinale), and carrots (Daucus). Additional examples of produce that may be treated by the compositions and release devices described herein include, but are not limited to, hog potato or groundnut (Apios americana), tigernut or chufa (Cyperus esculentus), yam (Dioscorea spp.), Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya), Jerusalem artichoke or sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus), daylily (Hemerocallis spp), earthnut pea (Lathyrus tuberosus), oca or New Zealand yam (Oxalis tuberosa), kembili and dazo (Pleclranlhiis edulis and P. esculentus). Chinese artichoke (Stachys a ffin is), mashua or anu (Tropaeolum tuberosum), ulluku (Ullucus tuberosus), turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginseng Panax ginseng), rengarenga and vanilly lily (Arthropodium spp.), canna (Canna spp.), ti (Cordyline fruticosa), arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera), cattail or bulrush (Typha spp.), ginger (Zingiber officinale), native ginger (Hornstedtia scottiana), yellow lily yam (Amorphophallus galbra), pignut or earthnut (Conopodium majus), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), desert yam (Ipomoea costata), cassava or yuca or manioc (Manihot esculenta), manuka or chago (Mirabilis expansa), breadroot, tipsin, or prairie turnip (Psoralea esculenta), yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), beet and mangelwurzel (Beta vulgaris), rutabaga and turnip (Brassica spp.), black cumin (Bunium persicum), burdock (Arctium, family Asteraceae), celeriac (Apium graveolens rapaceum), daikon (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus), dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), maca (Lepidium meyenii), mumong or yam daisy (Microseris lanceolata), jicama and ahipa (Pachyrhizus spp.), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), parsley root (Petroselinum spp.), radish (Raphanus sativus), salsify (Tragopogon spp.), black salsify (Scorzonera hispanica), skirret (Sium sisarum), or bush carrot or bush potato (Vigna lanceolata). Further examples of produce that may be treated by the compositions and release devices described herein include, but are not limited to, konjac (Amorphophallus konjac), taro (Colocasia esculenta), Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), enset (Ensete spp.), Nelumbo nucifera, waterlily (Nymphaea spp.), Pteridium esculentum, arrowhead or wapatoo (Sagittaria spp.), Typha spp., malanga, cocoyam, tannia, or yautia (Xanthosoma spp.), or eddoe or Japanese potato (Colocasia antiquorum).

The release device can be stored or transported, for example, in vapor- impermeable packaging. In some embodiments, the release device may be transported in hermetically sealed packaging. In an embodiment, the release device is stored or transported in oxygen impermeable packaging. In an embodiment, the release device is stored or transported in water vapor (e.g., water in the gas-phase) impermeable packaging.

In some embodiments, methods described herein (e.g., involving releasing a sprout suppressant (or a mixture comprising the sprout suppressant)) are performed while transporting the produce. For example, the produce may be in a container that is being moved from a first location to a second location (e.g., via vehicle such as a truck, ship, or airplane), and at least some of the release of the sprout suppressant (or mixture comprising the sprout suppressant) occurs while the container is being moved. It has been realized in the context of this disclosure that certain techniques for applying sprout suppressants to produce such as fumigation and fogging can be impractical to perform while transporting produce. However, certain techniques described in this disclosure, such as release of sprout suppressants from release devices (e.g., comprising delivery materials configured to release the sprout suppressants in the gas phase) can be readily performed during transportation.

As described above, certain embodiments of the inventive systems and/or methods include one or more processors, for example, associated with the pump or another component of the release system (e.g., as part of a controller). The one or more processors may be associated with or part of a controlled release system. The processor may be part of, according to certain embodiments, a computer- implemented control system. The computer-implemented control system can be used to operate various components of the system. In general, any calculation methods, steps, simulations, algorithms, systems, and system elements described herein may be implemented and/or controlled using one or more computer-implemented control system(s), such as the various embodiments of computer-implemented systems described below. The methods, steps, control systems, and control system elements described herein are not limited in their implementation to any specific computer system described herein, as many other different machines may be used.

The computer-implemented control system can be part of or coupled in operative association with one or more articles (e.g., pumps) and/or other system components that might be automated, and, in some embodiments, is configured and/or programmed to control and adjust operational parameters, as well as analyze and calculate values, for example any of the values described above. In some embodiments, the computer- implemented control system(s) can send and receive reference signals to set and/or control operating parameters of system apparatus. In other embodiments, the computer- implemented system(s) can be separate from and/or remotely located with respect to the other system components and may be configured to receive data from one or more inventive systems via indirect and/or portable means, such as via portable electronic data storage devices, such as magnetic disks, or via communication over a computer network, such as the Internet or a local intranet.

The computer-implemented control system(s) may include several known components and circuitry, including a processor, a memory system, input and output devices and interfaces (e.g., an interconnection mechanism), as well as other components, such as transport circuitry (e.g., one or more busses), a video and audio data input/output (I/O) subsystem, special-purpose hardware, as well as other components and circuitry, as described below in more detail. Further, the computer system(s) may be a multi-processor computer system or may include multiple computers connected over a computer network.

The computer-implemented control system(s) may include a processor, for example, a commercially available processor such as one of the series x86; Celeron, Pentium, and Core processors, available from Intel; similar devices from AMD and Cyrix; the 680X0 series microprocessors available from Motorola; and the PowerPC microprocessor from IBM. Many other processors are available, and the computer system is not limited to a particular processor.

A processor typically executes a program called an operating system, of which WindowsNT, Windows95 or 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10, UNIX, Linux, DOS, VMS, MacOS, OS8, and OS X are examples, which controls the execution of other computer programs and provides scheduling, debugging, input/output control, accounting, compilation, storage assignment, data management and memory management, communication control and related services. The processor and operating system together define, in accordance with certain embodiments, a computer platform for which application programs in high-level programming languages are written. The computer-implemented control system is not limited to a particular computer platform. In accordance with certain embodiments, the processor generally manipulates the data within the integrated circuit memory element in accordance with the program instructions and then copies the manipulated data to the non-volatile recording medium after processing is completed. A variety of mechanisms are known for managing data movement between the non-volatile recording medium and the integrated circuit memory element, and the computer-implemented control system(s) that implements the methods, steps, systems control and system elements control described above is not limited thereto. The computer-implemented control system(s) is not limited to a particular memory system.

At least part of such a memory system described above may be used to store one or more data structures (e.g., look-up tables) or equations such as calibration curve equations. For example, at least part of the non-volatile recording medium may store at least part of a database that includes one or more of such data structures. Such a database may be any of a variety of types of databases, for example, a file system including one or more flat-file data structures where data is organized into data units separated by delimiters, a relational database where data is organized into data units stored in tables, an object-oriented database where data is organized into data units stored as objects, another type of database, or any combination thereof.

It should be appreciated that one or more of any type of computer-implemented control system may be used to implement various embodiments described herein. Aspects of the invention may be implemented in software, hardware or firmware, or any combination thereof. The computer-implemented control system(s) may include specially programmed, special purpose hardware, for example, an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Such special-purpose hardware may be configured to implement one or more of the methods, steps, algorithms, systems control, and/or system elements control described above as part of the computer-implemented control system(s) described above or as an independent component.

The computer-implemented control system(s) and components thereof may be programmable using any of a variety of one or more suitable computer programming languages. In addition, the methods, steps, algorithms, systems control, and/or system elements control may be implemented using any of a variety of suitable programming languages. Such languages may include procedural programming languages, for example, LabView, C, Pascal, Fortran, and BASIC, object-oriented languages, for example, C++, Java, and Eiffel, and other languages, such as a scripting language or even assembly language. In some embodiments, the computer programming language is Python. In some embodiments, the computer programming language is SQL.

Such methods, steps, algorithms, systems control, and/or system elements control, either individually or in combination, may be implemented as a computer program product tangibly embodied as computer-readable signals on a computer- readable medium, for example, a non-volatile recording medium, an integrated circuit memory element, or a combination thereof. For each such method, step, simulation, algorithm, system control, or system element control, such a computer program product may comprise computer-readable signals tangibly embodied on the computer-readable medium that define instructions, for example, as part of one or more programs, that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform the method, step, algorithm, system control, and/or system element control.

International Patent Application No. PCT/US2021/035836, filed June 4, 2021, and entitled “Devices and Methods for Release and Delivery of Active Ingredients,” is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/287,194, filed December 8, 2021, and entitled “Compositions and Methods for Release of Sprout Suppressants Imparting Improved Sensory Profile,” is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

These and other aspects will be further appreciated upon consideration of the following Examples, which are intended to illustrate certain particular embodiments of the invention but are not intended to limit its scope, as defined by the claims.

EXAMPLE 1

This example describes the efficacy of certain non-limiting combinations of active ingredients for sprout suppression upon release from a release device. In this nonlimiting set of experiments, activated carbon was employed as a porous adsorbent material, and certain essential oil extracts were tested and compared. The sprout suppressant efficacy and organoleptic effects of two pure extract and blend ratios of the extracts on potatoes (Scientific name: Solanum tuberosum) were compared. The active ingredients were deployed via release from an exemplary solid matrix. The pure actives and different ratios of active blends were investigated to balance efficacy and organoleptic profiles to an acceptable level.

In this set of examples, the activated carbon was massed and placed into ajar (500 mL). The activated carbon was loaded to comprise the active ingredient in an amount of about 44 wt%, where the active ingredient was either pure (S)-(+)-carvone or pure citral. The jar was agitated by shaking for at least 1 minute. Blends of (S)-(+)- carvone and citral (in either a 1:1 or a 1:3 mass ratio of citral:(S)-(+)-carvone) were prepared by loading activated carbon to 44 wt% of each respective active ingredient separately, and then the separate activated carbons loaded with respective active ingredients were blended in the specific ratio. For example, the 1:1 citral:(S)-(+)- carvone sample was of 1 g of 44 wt% citral in activated carbon blended with 1 g 44wt% (S)-(+)-carvone in activated carbon (producing a final composition of activated carbon loaded with 22 wt% citral and 22 wt% (S)-(+)-carvone).

The loaded activated carbon was loaded into sachets. The sachets were prepared by folding 7” x 1.5” strips of an exemplary sachet material (TYVEK®, Dupont) over their long axis and impulse sealing on long sides. Each sachet was filled with 2 g of a loaded activated carbon and impulse sealed on short sides to close.

Organic potatoes (Type: Red, Yellow and Russet were obtained from WholeFoods Market. The potatoes had been treated with clove oil as a thermo-fogging application prior to sale. The application procedure of the thermo-fogging treatment was not disclosed by the supplier. To eliminate potential bias in assessing sprout incidence, all potatoes were sorted and randomized. Defective and/or sprouted tubers were removed to ensure a uniform initial condition. For each treatment, 15 yellow potatoes, 10 russet potatoes and 7 red potatoes were placed in a 15 L lidded storage box.

Sachets comprising loaded activated carbon samples were taped directly onto the inside of each storage box and were then held for 19 days at 68 °F and 35% relative humidity. A control box was also prepared, but did not receive a sachet. All containers were vented daily, by removing the lid for 5 seconds and closing it again. All potatoes from each replicate were evaluated based on the scale illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows various sprouting states of red potatoes (top row), yellow potatoes (middle row) and russet potatoes (bottom row). A 0 state indicated no visible sprouts, while the numbered states 1, 2, and 3, represent successively increasing prominence of visible sprouts. For a given potato, each potato having any visible sprout was designated as FAIL; each potato having no visible sprout growth was designated as PASS.

FIG. 5 presents the percentage of red potatoes observed in each of sprout categories 0-3, depending on their treatment, on days 4 and 6 of the analysis. As shown, both citral and (S)-(+)-carvone produced substantially less severe (state 3) sprouting than the control sample. Unexpectedly, the blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone substantially outperformed both citral and (S)-(+)-carvone individually. This is further demonstrated by Table 1, which presents the number of sprouted (FAIL-state) red potatoes observed in each sample on each day. As shown, red potatoes treated with blends of citral and (S)- (+)-carvone sprouted less often than control red potatoes or than potatoes treated with (S)-(+)-carvone or citral exclusively. This was particularly true of the 1: 1 ratio.

Table 1: Percentage of red potatoes indicated as FAIL (Sprout category 1-3) over the evaluation days

Evaluation Day

0 4 6

Control 0% 60% 83%

S+Carvone 0% 71% 86%

Citral 0% 86% 100%

1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 33% 43%

1:1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 17% 33%

FIG. 6 presents the percentage of yellow potatoes observed in each of sprout categories 0-3, depending on their treatment, on days 4 and 6 of the analysis. As shown, both citral and (S)-(+)-carvone produced substantially less severe (state 3) sprouting than the control sample. Unexpectedly, the blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone substantially outperformed both citral and (S)-(+)-carvone individually. This is further demonstrated by Table 2, which presents the number of sprouted (FAIL-state) yellow potatoes observed in each sample on each day. As shown, yellow potatoes treated with blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone sprouted less often than control yellow potatoes or than potatoes treated with (S)-(+)-carvone or citral exclusively. This was particularly true of the 1:1 ratio.

Table 2: Percentage of yellow potatoes indicated as FAIL (Sprout category 1-3) over the evaluation days

Evaluation Day

0 4 6

Control 0% 46% 80%

S+Carvone 0% 33% 80%

Citral 0% 53% 53%

1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 40% 53%

1:1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 13% 20%

FIG. 7 presents the percentage of russet potatoes observed in each of sprout categories 0-3, depending on their treatment, on days 4 and 6 of the analysis. As shown, both citral and (S)-(+)-carvone produced substantially less severe (state 3) sprouting than the control sample. Unexpectedly, the blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone substantially outperformed both citral and (S)-(+)-carvone individually. This is further demonstrated by Table 3, which presents the number of sprouted (FAIL-state) russet potatoes observed in each sample on each day. As shown, russet potatoes treated with blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone sprouted less often than control russet potatoes or than potatoes treated with (S)-(+)-carvone exclusively. This was particularly true of the 1:1 ratio.

Table 3: Percentage of russet potatoes indicated as FAIL (Sprout category 1-3) over the evaluation days

Evaluation Day

0 4 6

Control 0% 78% 89%

S+Carvone 0% 90% 89%

Citral 0% 50% 60%

1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 67% 67%

1:1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 33% 67%

After 19 days of storage, although sprouting was observed in all potatoes, the best potato quality with the least sprout growth was observed in the 1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone treatment, where comparatively few potatoes exhibited heavy (e.g., stage 3) sprouting. The 1:1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone blend also exhibited relatively less severe sprouting, while the control potatoes and the potatoes treated with pure citral or (S)-(+)-carvone individually showed heavy sprouting. Moreover, potatoes treated with the 1:1 and 1:3 blends were observed qualitatively to exhibit better organoleptic qualities compared to potatoes treated by the pure active ingredients, since neither active ingredient overwhelmed the organoleptic profile of the potatoes. Subsequent examples below quantify this effect.

EXAMPLE 2

This example describes the efficacy of certain non-limiting combinations of active ingredients for sprout suppression upon release from a release device. In this nonlimiting set of experiments, activated carbon was employed as a porous adsorbent material, and certain essential oils were tested and compared. Sachets of active ingredients were prepared as described in Example 5, above. In this example, only blends of 1:1 and 1:3 citral:(S)-(+)-carvone were studied, and sprouting was evaluated at several time-points. The efficacy of pure citral and pure (S)-(+)-carvone were not reassessed.

Organic potatoes (Type: Red, Yellow and Russet) were obtained from WholeFoods Market. The potatoes had been treated with clove oil as a thermo-fogging application. The application procedure of the thermo-fogging treatment was not disclosed by the supplier. To eliminate potential bias in assessing sprout incidence, all potatoes were sorted and randomized. Defective and/or sprouted tubers were removed to ensure a uniform initial condition. For each treatment, 10 yellow potatoes, 10 russet potatoes and 10 red potatoes were placed in a 15 L lidded storage box.

As in the preceding example, sachets comprising loaded activated carbon were taped directly onto the inside of each storage box and were then held for 12 days at 68 °F and 35% relative humidity. A control box was also prepared, but did not receive a sachet. All containers were vented daily, by removing the lid for 5 seconds and closing it again.

All potatoes from each replicate were evaluated based on the scale illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows various sprouting states of red potatoes (top row), yellow potatoes (middle row) and russet potatoes (bottom row). A 0 state indicated no visible sprouts, while the numbered states 1, 2, and 3, represent successively increasing prominence of visible sprouts. For a given potato, each potato having any visible sprout was designated as FAIL; each potato having no visible sprout growth was designated as PASS.

FIG. 8 presents the percentage of red potatoes observed in each of sprout categories 0-3, depending on their treatment, on days 3, 5, 7, and 10 of the analysis. The blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone substantially outperformed the controls and varied with time. This is further demonstrated by Table 4, which presents the number of sprouted (FAIL-state) red potatoes observed in each sample on each day. As shown, red potatoes treated with blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone sprouted less often than control red potatoes.

Table 4: Percentage of red potatoes indicated as FAIL (Sprout category 1-3) over the evaluation days

Evaluation Day

0 3 5 7 10

Control 0% 100% 100% 100% 100%

1: 1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 50% 97% 100% 100%

1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 17% 60% 77% 93%

FIG. 9 presents the percentage of yellow potatoes observed in each of sprout categories 0-3, depending on their treatment, on days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12 of the analysis. The blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone substantially outperformed the controls and varied predictably with time. This is further demonstrated by Table 5, which presents the number of sprouted (FAIL-state) yellow potatoes observed in each sample on each day. As shown, yellow potatoes treated with blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone sprouted less often than control yellow potatoes. Table 5: Percentage of yellow potatoes indicated as FAIL (Sprout category 1-3) over the evaluation days

Evaluation Day

0 3 5 7 10 12

Control 0% 30% 63% 70% 89% 100%

1:1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 13% 30% 38% 55% 70%

1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 10% 14% 23% 52% 58%

FIG. 10 presents the percentage of russet potatoes observed in each of sprout categories 0-3, depending their treatment, on days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12 of the analysis. The blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone substantially outperformed the controls and varied with time. This is further demonstrated by Table 6, which presents the number of sprouted (FAIL-state) russet potatoes observed in each sample on each day. As shown, russet potatoes treated with blends of citral and (S)-(+)-carvone sprouted less often than control russet potatoes. On day 12, the control group had fewer potatoes that were indicated as FAIL because the sprouts tended to fall off from during the handling process.

Table 6: Percentage of russet potatoes indicated as FAIL (Sprout category 1-3) over the evaluation days

Evaluation Day

0 3 5 7 10 12

Control 0% 0% 20% 31% 93% 74%

1:1 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 10%

1:3 Citral:(S)-(+)-carvone 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 19%

As in Example 1, both the active ingredient blends showed sprout suppressant activity on potatoes compared to the control group. 1:3 citral:(S)-(+)-carvone showed higher efficacy as a sprout suppressant than 1:1 citral:(S)-(+)-carvone, and was observed qualitatively to exhibit better organoleptic qualities. The efficacy of the sprout suppressant was observed to be variety-dependent.

EXAMPLE 3 This example describes the key sensory attributes of three varieties of treated and non-treated potatoes, and the degree of “off-flavor / taint” within and between potato varieties based on treatment concentrations, following treatment of potatoes using exemplary active ingredients as described above. These attributes were analyzed by the flavor profile method, and were evaluated by a sensory panel.

The flavor profile method is one of a group of sensory analysis methods used to describe sensory characteristics of a food product. Flavor profiling describes flavor in terms of character notes or attributes and their intensities, as well as aftertastes or off- aromas within the products, as perceived by a small group of experienced panelists. A highly trained panel of four to six members individually evaluated the potatoes and discussed as a group to determine a consensus profile. The panel’s consensus on attributes and their intensity acted as a mean value. Special care was taken by the panel moderator to limit any strong opinions that would have biased the analysis.

Three varieties of potatoes (Goldrush Russet, Yellow Satina, and Red Prairie) were treated using various sachet sizes of activated carbon comprising 44 wt% active ingredient. A control sample of potatoes was also provided. The potatoes were treated for 2 weeks with the sachets in closed containers as described above, then removed, and shipped in mesh bags to the sensory panel via express shipping. The day following shipment arrival, each potato variety was analyzed separately by the panelists.

Five potatoes were selected from each bag, placed in a colander, and rinsed under tap water for approximately 15 seconds to remove any dirt from the outside of the potato. Unpeeled potatoes were transferred to a cutting board and chopped into half-inch cubes and placed in a large plastic bowl with a lid. All potatoes were microwaved on high in a 1500-watt microwave oven for three minutes. Containers were covered but not fully sealed during microwaving. After microwaving, the containers were fully sealed in preparation for presentation to the panelists.

Panelists were instructed to smell and taste each variety of potato cubes, and select attributes from list of sensory descriptors including: vegetable complex, beany, raw potato, raw potato peel, metallic, adhesive bandage, astringent, earthy, sweet, bitter, sour, chemical, cardboardy, salty, nutty, cauliflower, medicinal, and fermented. These descriptors were used by in the panelists to measure the selected lexicon of attributes. By unanimous consensus, raw potato, and earthy were selected from the provided lexicon by the panel. Additionally, all panelists detected “savory”, “green”, and “spearmint”, which were added to the lexicon and measured. Although no quantitative score is universally preferable to consumers, treatments that preserve the flavor profile of untreated (control) potatoes may be preferred.

Panelists were unaware of treatment concentrations. Panelists added scores for each attribute to a ballot provided to them, and each panelist quantified each attribute on a continuous scale from 0-150 for each potato variety provided. Panelists ballots were statistically analyzed. Mean separations for treatment and potato variety were conducted using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

In the first experiment, panelists evaluated unpeeled potatoes treated with 5.0 g, 7.5g, or 10g of activated carbon loaded with 44 wt% spearmint oil. Red, yellow, and russet potatoes were evaluated. Table 7 presents the intensity of spearmint notes identified by the sensory panel. Significant differences between means were noted by letters across rows at a = 0.05. (Mean values with the same letter were not significantly different from one another, and mean values with different letters differed from one another with statistical significance.)

Table 7: Mean values of ‘spearmint’ intensity measured on a 0-150 scale.

Significant differences between means are noted by letters across rows. Means with the same letter are not significantly different from one another.

Unanimous consensus from the panel determined that the treatment could not be detected in the internal part of the potato but was noticeable on the outside of the whole potato. This indicated that the skin of the potato contained detectable amounts of spearmint flavor in all treatments and varieties, but the inside of the potato contained no detectable treatment as perceived by any member of the panel. Since “spearmint” is not a known flavor found in a potato and was not detected in the control, these results indicated that exposure spearmint oil produced an organoleptic taint for the potatoes. EXAMPLE 4

This example describes a taste-test performed on peeled potatoes, unpeeled potatoes, and peels from potatoes treated for two weeks using sachets of 3.0 g, 4.5 g and 5.0 g of activated carbon, loaded with 44 wt% spearmint oil. The sensory evaluation procedure of Example 3 was used here to characterize the taste of each sample. Table 8 presents the results of this analysis.

Table 8: Mean values of ‘spearmint’ intensity measured on a 0-150 scale, tasted in potatoes. Means with the same letter are not significantly different from one another.

Despite the use of smaller sachet sizes than in Example 3, Table 8 illustrates that spearmint was detected in all varieties of potatoes. The potato peel had the highest amount of spearmint flavor for all varieties. Peeled potato had the lowest amount of spearmint attribute detected when comparing all three preparation methods. As in Example 3, the panelists determined, by unanimous consensus, that the spearmint aroma and flavor from the treatment could not be detected as much in the pulp of the potato but was mostly noticeable on the potato skin. The data from this study mostly supports this observation, but differences between varieties were noted in how the skin retained or masked the spearmint attribute. EXAMPLE 5

This example describes a taste-test performed on peeled potatoes, unpeeled potatoes, and peels from potatoes treated for two weeks using sachets of 2.0 g activated carbon loaded with 44 wt% active ingredient. Two sachets were analyzed, one including a 1:1 mass ratio of lemongrass oikcaraway oil, and the other including a 1:3 mass ratio of citral:(S)-(+)-carvone. The sensory evaluation procedure of Example 3 was used here to characterize the taste of each sample. Compared to Examples 3-4, where spearmint oil was used and a spearmint attribute was detected by the panel, the panelists were not able to detect any attributes related to the lemongrass, citral, caraway, or (S)-(+)-carvone. All panelists were able to quickly identify key differentiating attributes described as “sweet aromatic”, “earthy”, and “herbaceous.” These attributes were identified in the control potatoes as well. Therefore, these attributes were evaluated for each potato type. Although no quantitative score is universally preferable to consumers, treatments that preserve the flavor profile of untreated (control) potatoes may be preferred.

FIGS. 11-13 present the taste attribute profiles for russet, red, and yellow potatoes, respectively, on the 0-150 scale used by the sensory panel. As shown in FIG. 11, both potato treatments increased the sweet aromaticity of russet potatoes, the lemongrass oil + caraway oil increased the earthiness and herbaceousness of the russet potatoes, and the citral + (S)-(+)-carvone decreased the earthiness and herbaceousness of the russet potatoes. FIG. 12 presents the flavor attribute profiles of red potatoes, where lemongrass oil + caraway oil produced a large increase in sweet aromaticity and herbaceousness of the potatoes, but citral + (S)-(+)-carvone produced a relatively small change in the attribute profile, relative to the control potatoes. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13, the citral + (S)-(+)-carvone produced a much smaller change in the flavor profile of the yellow potatoes, relative to lemongrass oil + caraway oil. Yellow potatoes exposed to the lemongrass oil + caraway oil were significantly more sweetly aromatic and herbaceous than control yellow potatoes, or yellow potatoes exposed to citral + (S)- (+)-carvone.

These results indicate that combinations of sprout suppressants can unexpectedly overcome large deviations in the organoleptic profile of potatoes exposed to unmixed sprout suppressants. Moreover, although some sprout suppressants affect the flavor profile of potatoes, these examples demonstrate that combinations of citral and (S)-(+)- carvone (and in this example in particular, combinations having a mass ratio of between 1:1 and 1:3 citral:(S)-(+)-carvone) may advantageously preserve a flavor profile similar to the flavor profile of untreated potatoes.

EXAMPLE 6

This Example describes experiments comparing the efficacy of six different formulations (Fl, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) of compositions comprising sprout suppressants on Yukon Gold, Red, and Yellow Fingerling organic potato varieties.

In these experiments, pure active ingredients were used for the compositions, but the formulas can also be applied to any of a variety of essential oils that contain these active ingredients. For example, cinnamon bark oil can be used instead of (£)- cinnamaldehyde. Table 9 summarizes the different formulations tested. Sachets containing the formulations were used for treating the potatoes.

Table 9. Formula and sample code for sprout suppressant compositions tested in this Example.

The three varieties of potatoes were acquired from a commercial market and stored in a cold room at 4 °C. Ten potatoes of each variety were placed in 16-quart plastic containers with the lids on. Every sachet used as treatment was marked with a formulation tag (F1-F7) according to the formulas described in Table 9. Each of the seven treatment containers were replicated three times, filling a total of 24 containers with 30 potatoes each (Red n=10, Yellow Fingerling n=10, and Yukon Gold n=10). Any decayed or rotten potatoes were excluded when loading the boxes. An additional set of three containers filled with 30 potatoes were placed in the same conditions as F1-F7 but not exposed to any treatment, serving as the non-treated control (“NTC” in Table 9). The treatment containers were randomly spaced three meters apart on benches in a laboratory. The treatment containers were then covered in black cloth to reduce variable light exposure. Initial evaluations of the potatoes were taken during the first day of the trial. Potatoes were monitored for sprouting daily. For all treatments, evaluations occurred every two days post initiation. On each evaluation day, potatoes were removed individually from the treatment containers and evaluated by variety based upon the sprout scale described above in the context of FIG. 4 by conducting a visual evaluation that was confirmed with a caliper, if necessary. After evaluations, the potatoes were gently placed back into box and placed back under the cloth until the next evaluation date. Evaluations were conducted for fifteen days.

For all varieties, peepers developed after 8 days in ambient temperature during the sprout test. The trial ran for 15 days.

Red Variety

After the trial started on day 0, the red potatoes developed peeps (rating 1) by day three of ambient temperature storage. On day 15, potatoes in all treatment groups sprouted to some degree, with Fl showing the greatest extent of sprouting, followed by NTC. At the end of the trial, the percentage of peeped potatoes ranked from highest to lowest by treatment was NTC (100%), F5 (100%), Fl (100%), F6 (96%), F2 (83%), F3 (46%), F4 (30%), and F7 (20%) (FIG. 14). For the duration of the trial, the F7 treatment showed the greatest efficacy at reducing sprout growth, with only 20% of all potatoes to sprout by the final evaluation date. The F4 treatment had similarly significant results with only 30% of all potatoes developing sprouts at rating 2. Both F4 and F7 also showed the ability to retroactively reduce sprouting by causing sprout tip burn off (FIG. 15). This phenomenon is shown in the data in FIG. 15 by a decrease in the sprout rating total observed over the evaluation time periods. Analysis with a chi-squared test showed that both F4 and F7 demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) ability to reduce sprout growth by Day 15. However, F7 performed better daily, resulting in fewer sprouting potatoes in the same amount of time compared to F4.

All non-control treatment formulations evaluated except Fl showed higher efficacy in reducing sprouting compared to NTC. Fl had over 20% more rating 3 potatoes compared to NTC at the end of the evaluation period. Since Fl performed significantly worse than all other treatments, this further supports that dosage of the two active ingredients affects the sprout suppression efficacy. Compared to the other varieties of potatoes tested in this experiment, red potatoes had 5 treatment formulations that showed a significant amount (over 20% respectively; 50% for Fl) of rating 3 sprouts on the last evaluation day.

F2 showed higher efficacy than Fl in suppressing and reducing sprout growth throughout the entire evaluation period. This indicates the ratio of citral to (£’)- cinnamaldehyde affects efficacy in sprout suppression.

F4 showed higher efficacy than F3 in suppressing and reducing sprout growth throughout the entire evaluation period. This indicates the ratio of citral to R-carvone affects efficacy in sprout suppression.

Gold Variety

Gold potatoes developed peeps on day three of ambient temperature storage, where the percentage of peeped potatoes ranked from lowest to highest was F2 (3%), F3 (3%), F5 (3%), F4 (7%), F6 (10%), F7 (12%), Fl (13%), NTC (20%) (FIG. 16). The peeps developed over the ambient storage period with differences in severity between treatment groups.

Data analysis with a chi-squared test showed that F3 and F4 were the most effective at significantly reducing sprouting by maintaining the greatest number of unsprouted potatoes at the end of the 15-day trial period. While both showed significant reductions when compared to the control, F4 was the most effective as 17 of the 20 (85%) evaluated potatoes remained unsprouted. It is believed that the higher concentration of citral in the F4 formulation contributed to this increase in efficacy compared to the F3 formulation.

Throughout days 6-15, NTC demonstrated more rating 1 potatoes compared to every treatment, with day 15 having more rating 2 potatoes. This indicates the various treatments do help reduce sprouting. For the gold variety, only two treatments (Fl and F6) demonstrated rating 3 sprouts, however, they were less than 5% of their respective treatment.

Both treatment formulations F5 and F6 showed a similar percentage of sprouted potatoes over time, with F6 having slightly fewer sprouted potatoes on days 6 and days 8, however both treatments ended having around 85%-90% by day 15. On all days, the Chi-square test showed both F5 and F6 had results consistent with the teachings of this disclosure.

F2 and F7 performed slightly better throughout the evaluation period than Fl, with both having slightly fewer sprouted potatoes (-70%) compared to Fl overall (90%). On days 8 and 11, F7 had more rating 0 potatoes compared to Fl and F2. On day 15, Fl had more rating 3 potatoes than expected, whereas F2 had less rating 2 potatoes than expected. Overall, F7 performed the best among the group of Fl, F2, and F7.

Both F3 and F4 treatment formulations had the two lowest total percentage of sprouted potatoes, 35% and 15% respectively. From day 8 to day 15, F4 had a 12% decrease of sprouted potatoes indicating that burning of tips occurred.

Ultimately, F2, F3, F4, F7 showed highest efficacy, and demonstrate that initial sprouting percentage is not indicative of how well the treatment performs (FIG. 17). This result further supports the conclusion that an increase in time can be important for how these actives function and perform.

Yellow Fingerling Variety

Yellow fingerling potatoes developed peeps on day 3 of ambient temperature storage, where the percentage of peeped potatoes ranked from lowest to highest was F7 (3%), F4 (3%), Fl (7%), F2 (7%), F3 (7%), F6 (10%), F5 (17%), NTC (37%) (FIG. 18).

Data analysis with a chi-squared test showed that treatment formulations F2, F3, F4 and F7 were effective at significantly reducing sprouting by the end of the 15-day trial period. While all four of these treatments showed significant reductions when compared to the control, treatment formulations F3, F4 and F7 were most effective as 100% evaluated potatoes remained unsprouted.

All non-control treatment formulations evaluated showed a lower total sprout percentage compared to NTC except for F5. In all varieties of potatoes, treatment formulation F5 was either on par with NTC or second behind NTC in terms of highest sprouted percentage. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that fingerling potatoes may be more prone to burning sprout tips due to their smaller size in comparison to red potatoes and gold potatoes. F2, F3, F4, and F7 all had more rating 0 potatoes than expected, to a similar extent. The yellow variety potatoes had only one treatment (Fl) that demonstrated rating 3 sprouts, however, even Fl had fewer than 5% as well.

When compared to the NTC, all non-control treatment formulations were able to decrease sprouting over time, with F3, F4, and F7 eliminating sprouting altogether at the end of evaluation period (FIG. 19). The efficacy ranked among these treatments ranked lowest to highest was F5 < NTC < Fl < F6 < F3 < F2 < F4 < F7.

Summary

Overall, it was found that F3 and F4 treatment formulations showed statistically relevant reductions in sprout severity over time for all three varieties. For the Red variety, formulations F3, F4, F7 showed a significant reduction in sprout severity after 15 days by preventing sprouting in 53%, 70%, and 80% of treated potatoes, respectively. For the Gold variety, formulations F3 and F4 showed a significant reduction in sprout severity after 15 days by preventing sprouting in 65% and 85% of treated potatoes, respectively. For the Yellow variety, formulations F2, F3, F4 and F7 showed a significant reduction in sprout severity after 15 days by preventing sprouting in 96 %, 100%, 100%, & 100% respectively of treated potatoes, respectively.

EXAMPLE 7

This Example describes sensory evaluation experiments for microwaved potatoes treated by various formulations of sprout suppressants using a consumer panel. Samples of potatoes of the cultivar Belmunda Gold were evaluated with treatment formulations NTC (non-treatment control), F4, F3, and F7 as described above in Table 9 in Example 6 and as summarized again below in Table 10.

Table 10. Formula associated with each sample formulation code.

Samples were treated with a 2.5 g sachet of the respective formulation as indicated in Table 10. Samples were removed from the treatments after 14 days of treatment to their respective sprout suppressant formulations. The sensory evaluation study was conducted the day following the removal of the samples from the treatments.

Just prior to the sensory evaluation study, the treated potatoes were rinsed under water for 30 seconds and dried with paper towels. The potatoes were peeled and sliced into approximately 1.5 cm cubes and soaked in water for 15 minutes to remove excess starch. The potatoes were placed on a plate and microwaved for 2 minutes. Five cubes of microwaved potatoes were placed in plastic cups and covered with a lid to capture aromas. The plastic cups were labelled with a sample code. It was observed that there was some difficulty in ensuring that each panelist obtained potatoes of the same temperature, although it is believed that any variation in temperature did not significantly affect the sensory evaluation responses from the panelists.

Participants were recruited and provided with a minimum amount of information on the nature of the study to reduce potential bias. Each participant was presented with a gift card incentive ($15) for their participation. Participants registered on-line to schedule an in-person sitting in the laboratory were the sensory evaluation took place. The panel was composed of 34 untrained consumers. Untrained consumers are typically used to see if there is a perceived difference between products.

Consumers were asked to select the attributes from a provided list from the potato flavor lexicon that best described the sample. The list is as follows: Bland, Buttery, Citrus, Earthy, Herbal, Starchy, Minty, and Other. Statistical analysis was performed in JMP/Excel. The level of significance for treatment differences was established at p<0.05.

The frequency of detection for taste attributes respectively are reported as percentages values for russet and red variations and listed in Table 11. Differences at the p<0.05 level are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Table 11. Check- All-That- Apply (“CAT A”) for aroma attributes reported as percentages of consumers selecting that attribute. Values within a row represented by the same letter of the alphabet are not significantly different at p<0.05 analyzed by Cochran’s Q test.

The attributes presented to the panelists were based off a typical potato flavor lexicon. Out of the typical potato flavor lexicon studied was “Bland”, “Earthy”, “Buttery” and “Starchy”. Of these, the “Buttery” attribute was mentioned more frequently in sample F7. Sample F7 was the only sample that contained S+Carvone (equivalent to (S)-(+)-carvone), which is found commonly at a high concentration in Caraway Oil. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that S+Carvone enhanced the buttery flavor of the potatoes or that the flavor profile of S+Carvone resembles that of butter.

Additionally, “herbal”, “minty” and “citrus” were included as possible descriptors of treatment formulations. Overall, there was a general trend that more consumers detected “citrus” and “herbal” in samples F4 and F3 as compared to samples NTC and F7. The “Minty” attribute was also detected more frequently in sample F3 compared to other samples. This data was correlated to the treatment formulations, as sample F3 contained the highest amount of spearmint oil compared to other samples. As indicated by the chart in FIG. 20 showing frequency of potato consumption among that 34 panelists that participated in the survey, it was determined that the panelists had a normal distribution for the frequency of potatoes consumption. With this, it was concluded that the sample is representative of the population in terms of consumption frequency.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.