A method of preserving a harvested cultivated food can include applying a preservative composition onto a cultivated food. The preservative composition can include an amino acid, peptide having the amino acid or protein having the amino acid. The amino acid or peptide or protein having the amino acid can be associated with a water soluble substance. The water soluble substance may facilitate application of the amino acid to the cultivated food and may contribute to the improvement of preservation of the cultivated food post-harvest. A container can be configured for protecting harvested cultivated food by having a chamber with a preservative composition located the container. A substrate can include a preservative composition located on the substrate, which can be applied to a cultivated food to increase preservation.
