Naturally Sweet-smelling methyl jasmonate, a natural compound in all plants, protects produce from pathogens and doubles shelf life. Strawberries exposed to methyl jasmonate vapor for 24 hours at 68 degrees F resisted gray mold for 14 days with no change in fruit firmness. Gray mold, Botrytis cinerea , is a major fungal disease of harvested fruits and vegetables. The treatment also controlled soft rot on the peppers. It is thought that the chemical elicits proteins in living plants and harvested produce that make them more resistant to temperature changes and attack by insects, bacteria and fungi.
Most plants contain small amounts of jasmonates, but jasmine and honeysuckle contain high levels.
Methyl jasmonate is available commercially and is inexpensive. It acts within a couple of hours and leaves no residue. Treated apples did particularly well, holding up for 50 days in cold storage without any change in flavor. Need Zinc-Rich Foods Vegetarians who include milk and eggs in their diets can meet their zinc requirements by eating plenty of whole grains and legumes such as beans and peas, researchers have found. Among its many functions, zinc helps the body guard against infections and repair wounds.