# Postharvest preservation of chestnuts: Combined application of hydrogen-rich water and a carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate composite coating.
> 水素水とカルボキシメチルキトサン／アルギン酸ナトリウム複合コーティングの併用によるクリの収穫後保存効果


## Abstract

This study examined the postharvest preservation of fresh chestnuts using hydrogen-rich water (HRW), a carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate (CMCS/SA) composite coating, and their combination. Key parameters assessed included weight loss, color change, respiration rate, starch metabolism, and antioxidant enzyme activities. HRW maintained cell membrane integrity by modulating intracellular redox balance, while the CMCS/SA coating acted as a physical barrier against microbial invasion and improved hydrogen retention within the produce. When applied together, the two treatments significantly lowered respiratory intensity, elevated catalase and peroxidase activities, and reduced weight loss, browning, and decay rates compared with untreated controls. These results indicate that the synergistic combination of HRW and edible CMCS/SA coating substantially extends chestnut shelf life through complementary antioxidant and barrier mechanisms, offering new insights into multi-modal postharvest preservation strategies for fruits.

### Mechanism

HRW modulates intracellular redox balance to preserve cell membrane integrity, while the CMCS/SA coating enhances hydrogen retention and provides a microbial barrier; together they elevate catalase and peroxidase activities, suppressing oxidative deterioration and reducing respiration-driven decay.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Dong Y, Wang Q, Wang Z, Wu Y, Ouyang J, Liu B
- **Journal**: Int J Biol Macromol
- **Year**: 2026
- **PMID**: [41314584](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41314584/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149280](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.149280)
- **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)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 41314584. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/41314584
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [41314584](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41314584/)