Food spoilage leads to food wastage, human morbidity and mortality. This food preservation takes advantage of use of Hydrogen Sulfide without or with Hydrogen or Helium into an environment where food is stored. The method delays food ripening, food spoilage, food decay and is safe, and preserves the natural characteristics of food, including color, flavor, aroma and texture. Hydrogen Sulfide treatment maintains higher activities of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and lower activities of lipoxygenase relative to un-treated controls. Hydrogen Sulfide also reduces malondialdehyde, Hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion to levels below those in control fruits during storage. Hydrogen and Helium are administered as gas and Hydrogen Sulfide is administered as a gas, liquid, or a Hydrogen Sulfide donor, within a closed environment or by providing Hydrogen Sulfide within the item. This also includes enhancement of innate endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide-Hydrogen production in the organisms including plants.
