Abstract: There are many kinds of essential oils,which are also widely distributed in plant families and genera. Among them,coniferae,orchidaceae,lauraceae,rutaceae,umbelliferae,labiatae and zingiberaceae are rich in essential oils contents. Essential oil is widely used in the storage and preservation of fruits and vegetables because of its antioxidant activity and broad-spectrum bacteriostasis. In this paper,the antioxidant active components and antioxidant mechanism of essential oil are summarized,and the preservation principles of fumigation of essential oil,microcapsules of essential oil,composite coating of essential oil and preservative paper of essential oil and their applications in storage and preservation of fruits and vegetables are analyzed in detail,aiming to provide theoretical basis for the research and application of essential oil in the preservation of fruits and vegetables.