How Hydrogen (H₂) Can Support Food Security: From Farm to Fork

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and expertise in hydrogen studies within the realm of food sciences.

Here are my suggestions for your manuscript:

    1. In lines 35-37, it would be beneficial to include references to support this statement.

    2. Likewise, in lines 47-49, adding references would strengthen the credibility of this assertion.

    3. It is recommended that authors include a corresponding figure for the content discussed in line 85.

Overall, I believe the manuscript presents a valuable contribution to the field, with potential implications for food chain sustainability and security. I accept the current form of the manuscript.

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

Thank you kindly for your valuable contribution. To address your concerns:

References have been added (L. 35-37 and L. 47-49)

A figure has also been added (L. 85)

Reviewer 2 Report

This is an excellent study covering all important topics and presenting both the pros and cons of the H2 application.

I suggest only a minor editing and amendment of a SWOT analysis to fortify the presented narrative chapters. A figure in this sense would be more than beneficial. Graphical abstract also would be more than welcome. 

Line 56: add bracket after microbial spoilage

Line 57: production or product, not produce. 

Line 126: correct antioxidant environ

Line 287: add a number in the brackets  for Cheng et al., (2021)

Needs improvement. 

Author Response

Thank you kindly for your valuable contribution. To address your concerns:

A SWOT analysis has been added in the future perspectives section.

Bracket added (L. 56)

L.57 – Produce is the correct term as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary (a collection of products). For international clarity, the authors have decided to use the term ‘food’.

1. 126 – Environ has been changed to environment
2. 287 Bracket added

Reviewer 3 Report

Please see attached.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you kindly for your valuable insights. To address your concerns:

As this field of research is in its infancy there are, as yet, no direct comparisons between H2 applications and traditional food security measures. We hope that the field of research will continue to garner academic and industrial interest, and that comparative analyses will be available in the near future.

The acronym AB@hMSN is now explained

L.45 FDA (U.S) changed to U.S FDA

L.58 ‘Essential’ has been removed for clarity

L.61 Produce is the correct term as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary (a collection of products).

L.132 Reference added

L.187. The term paradoxically has been removed for clarity

Reviewer 4 Report

- Economic analyses or studies on the hydrogen application (air or solution) for agriculture should be included, if available

- Information about the process/production complexity to make H2 available for agriculture (both as an atmospheric gas or in solution) should be added

- One additional section focusing on the challenges of hydrogen application in agri-food industries should be added

- Line 78-79: Putting chemical reaction in text is difficult to read

The quality of English language is generally in order.

Author Response

Thank you kindly for your valuable insights. To address your concerns:

Unfortunately, to date, there are no accessible economic analyses for using hydrogen or hydrogen-producing products in agriculture as the research is in its infancy. The future perspective/conclusion section does touch upon the costs of sustainable hydrogen production via electrolysis.

To retain the focus on H2 application in agriculture, and not the wider nuances of hydrogen production (e.g., as a fuel), the authors have decided not to include a section on H2 production. Although this aspect is referenced (74) for further reading.

Challenges and benefits of H2 application are now discussed with a SWOT analysis in the future perspectives section.

The chemical reaction (78-79) has been removed for clarity.