Lipids from banana peels help cherry tomatoes stay fresh longer

Fruits and vegetables keep "breathing" even after they're picked. Respiration consumes sugars and organic acids that contribute to flavor, while moisture loss and continued ripening soften the fruit. These changes shorten shelf life and contribute to food waste. Thin edible coatings can be applied to regulate gas and water transfer and preserve fresh produce. Now, food scientists are exploring whether byproducts we often discard could supply ingredients for these coatings.