Systems are provided for preventing post harvest fungal diseases of food
systems, such as but not limited to fresh produce, such as but not
limited to berries (e.g., blueberries). For example, various anti-fungal
compounds can incorporated or encapsulated into cyclodextrins, such as
but not limited to .alpha., .beta. and/or .gamma. cyclodextrins. The
encapsulated anti-fungal materials can be used alone (e.g., brought into
proximity to the produce) or incorporated into film and/or packaging
materials that are used in the packing and/or storing of produce. By way
of a non-limiting example, the anti-fungal compounds can include volatile
compounds such as but not limited to acetaldehyde, hexanal and
2E-hexenal. The cyclodextrins provide controlled release of the volatiles
over a period of at least several days such that they prevent or inhibit
fungal growth, including but not limited to several species of the
Colletotrichum, Altermaria, Botrytis, Penicillium and/or Aspergillus
genera.