# Alleviation of salt stress in strawberries by hydrogen-rich water: Physiological, transcriptomic and metabolomic responses.
> 水素水によるイチゴの塩ストレス軽減：生理学的・トランスクリプトーム・メタボローム統合解析


## Abstract

Soil salinization driven by climate change and human activity threatens crop yields globally. This study examined how hydrogen-rich water (HRW) application affects salt-stressed strawberry seedlings (Fragaria×ananassa 'Benihoppe') using combined transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. HRW-treated plants showed a 49.50% increase in root biomass alongside favorable changes in soluble sugar content, malondialdehyde levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Ion homeostasis was improved through enhanced potassium uptake and sodium exclusion. Gene expression profiling in roots revealed upregulation of ion transport, antioxidant defense, and cell wall biosynthesis genes. Metabolomic data identified phenolic acids, flavonoids, and amino acids as key compounds involved in HRW-mediated protection. Multi-omics integration pointed to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and amino/nucleoside sugar metabolism as the principal pathways underlying the observed benefits, offering molecular-level insight into hydrogen gas applications for sustainable agriculture.

### Mechanism

HRW upregulates genes for ion transport, antioxidant defense, and cell wall biosynthesis in roots, while activating phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and amino/nucleoside sugar metabolism pathways, thereby improving K⁺/Na⁺ homeostasis and reducing oxidative damage under salt stress.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Wang R, Chu S, Zhang D, Hayat K, Zhang XQ, Chi Y, et al.
- **Journal**: Physiol Plant
- **Year**: 2025
- **PMID**: [40069937](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40069937/)
- **DOI**: [10.1111/ppl.70151](https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70151)
- **Study type**: other
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; 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)

---

> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 40069937. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/40069937
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [40069937](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40069937/)