Compositions and methods for protecting fruit harvested from putrefaction.

A method of protecting to protect persimmons collected against Alternaria alternata, strawberries harvested against Botrytis cinerea, or mandarins collected against Penicillium italicum or Penicillium digitatum, comprising applying to said persimmons, strawberries or tangerines collected a composition comprising cinnamon essential oil of cassia vaporized form in a sufficient amount to prevent adverse effects.