Fecha de publicación: -- Fuente: WIPO "tomato" Edible compositions and related methods are provided for preserving fruits and vegetables by reducing moisture loss and inhibiting microbial spoilage. The compositions comprise a metal ion and a coating-forming component comprising a plant wax that includes cutin, optionally in combination with an emulsifier, an essential oil, and a solvent system. The solvent system can include water and an alcohol and can further include one or more co-solvents suitable for dispersing coating-forming components. Methods include forming a plant-wax emulsion and combining the emulsion with the metal ion, and applying the composition to a food surface by dipping, spraying, brushing, or wiping. In representative studies, application of the coating resulted in reduced moisture loss and improved external quality attributes relative to controls during ambient storage and resulted in reduced microbial load relative to a water-treated control.