# Molecular Hydrogen: Is This a Viable New Treatment for Plants in the UK?
> 分子状水素による植物成長促進と収穫後保存への応用可能性：英国農業における展望


## Abstract

This review examines the existing evidence on molecular hydrogen (H2) as a means of promoting plant growth and extending postharvest shelf life of crops. H2 appears to reduce plant stress and delay senescence primarily by modifying the antioxidant capacity of plant cells. Proposed mechanisms include the involvement of heme oxygenase and the reduction of iron-containing prosthetic groups. While gaseous H2 application is challenging in field conditions, hydrogen-rich water (HRW) offers a practical and safe alternative for agricultural use. The authors note that widespread adoption will depend on whether the agronomic benefits justify production and application costs, and suggest that postharvest storage represents a particularly promising area for reducing food waste.

### Mechanism

H2 is proposed to modulate antioxidant capacity in plant cells, with heme oxygenase activation and reduction of iron-containing prosthetic groups identified as contributing mechanisms underlying stress alleviation and delayed senescence.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Hancock JT, LeBaron TW, May J, Thomas A, Russell G
- **Journal**: Plants (Basel)
- **Year**: 2021 (2021-10-22)
- **PMID**: [34834633](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34834633/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/plants10112270](https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112270)
- **PMC**: [PMC8618766](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618766/)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: mixed routes
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 34834633. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/34834633
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [34834633](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34834633/)