Table 3.
Examples of the use of H2 treatments for postharvest of plant materials. Flowers are all cut. H2 concentrations are calculated from information given in relevant papers.
| Plant Material Being Treated | Treatment | Effects Seen | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiwifruit | HRW (80% best: 0.176 mM H2) | Increased firmness and less rot. Lower oxidative stress. | [73] |
| Kiwifruit | H2 fumigation | Delayed senescence. Involves ethylene metabolism. | [124] |
| Chinese chive | 1%, 2% or 3% H2 fumigation | Reduced oxidative stress. | [125] |
| Hypsizygus marmoreus | HRW (25% best: 0.2 mM H2) | Reduced oxidative stress. | [126] |
| Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv.) | HRW (0.195 mM and 0.585 mM H2) | Delayed senescence and less nitrite accumulation. Vitamin C retained. | [90] |
| Flowers of lily and rose (Lilium spp. & Rosa hybrid L.) | HRW (0.5% 2.25 µM H2) and 1% (4.5 µM H2); lily: 50% (0.225 mM H2); rose | Improved vase life. Greater flower diameter. Less oxidative stress. | [72] |
| Lily flowers (Lilium “Manissa”) | HRW (1%: 0.0022 mM H2) and 150 μM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) | Enhanced flower freshness. ATP synthase CF1 alpha subunit (AtpA) up-regulated. | [127] |
| Lisianthus flowers | HRW (0.078 mM H2) | Vase life extended. Redox maintained as less oxidative stress. | [128] |
| Rose ‘Movie star’ flowers | HRW (1% best: 0.00235 mM H2) | Less flower senescence, mediated by ethylene metabolism. | [77] |
| Carnation flowers | MgH2 (0.1 g L–1) with citrate | Flower quality improved. H2S signaling downstream of H2. | [84] |
| Carnation flowers (Dianthuscaryophyllus L.). | Hydrogen nanobubble water (HNW): 5% best (0.025 mM H2) | Less senescence so longer vase life. Lower oxidative stress. | [78] |