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The toxic effects of mercury in earthworms and the potential alleviation effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) using ATR-FTIR and LC–MS analysis methods were investigated. Different concentrations of mercury chloride (H1: 5 µg/mL, H2: 10 µg/mL, H3: 20 µg/mL, H4: 40 µg/mL, and C1: control) and mercury chloride prepared in hydrogen-rich water (H5: 5 µg/mL, H6: 10 µg/mL, H7: 20 µg/mL, H8: 40 µg/mL, and C2: control) were injected into earthworms. The changes and reductions in some bands representing proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides (3280 cm−1, 2922 cm−1, 2855 cm−1, 1170 cm−1, and 1047 cm−1) showed that protective effects could occur in groups prepared with hydrogen-rich water. In the FTIR results, it was found that these bands in the H3 group were more affected and decreased by the influence of mercury on earthworms than the H7 group prepared with hydrogen. LC–MS analysis showed that the changes in some ions of the highest dose groups (H4 and H8) were different, and mercury caused oxidative DNA damage in earthworms. When the high-level application groups of mercury, i.e., H4 and H8 were compared with the controls, the ion exchange ([M + H] + ; m/z 283.1) representing the 8-Oxo-dG level in earthworms was higher in the H4 group than the H8 group. This reveals that HRW exhibited the potential ability to alleviate the toxic effects of mercury; however, a longer period of HRW treatment may be necessary to distinguish an obvious effect. The ATR-FTIR spectroscopy provided a rapid and precise method for monitoring the changes in biological tissues caused by a toxic compound at the molecular level.

In this study, it is aimed to determine how different cooking processes (boiled (B), steamed (S), pressure boiled (PB), and pressure steamed (PS)) cause changes in various vegetables (potato, carrot, beet root, black carrot, celery, turnip, and sweet potato). The different process had a very significant effect (p < 0.01) on the L*, a*, b*, C*, H degrees, dry matter content, total soluble solids (TSS), ash content, pH, and titratable acidity values of vegetables. The process and vegetable kind were found to have a very significant effect (p < 0.01) on vitamin C and total phenolic content (TPC) of vegetables. It was revealed that the vitamin C was preserved better in S and PS than B vegetables. Except all PB, B, S sweet potato and cooked celery the TPC of other samples decreased at different rates (6.12%-88.30%) with cooking. It was found that the antioxidant activity (AA) of vegetables decreased with the process. It was determined that the mineral compositions of vegetables cooked with different methods were significantly different (p < 0.01) from raw vegetables, except for Fe. A positive correlation was detected between the samples' AA and color values. As a result, it was revealed that S vegetables preserved their color values better and the AA values of S vegetables were closest to raw vegetables. Novelty Impact Statement In terms of healthy nutrition, the differences in the characteristics of the food cooked with the heat treatment process in cooked foods has recently aroused an increasing interest. The study showed that physical and chemical properties, total phenolic content, and antioxidant properties were interrelated with different vegetables and different cooking methods. This was due to the different compositions and cooking techniques of vegetables, which determine the cell wall integrity and solubility of cell components during heat treatments. It was determined that the properties of steamed beetroot and black carrot were better preserved among different vegetables cooked with four different cooking methods (boiled, steamed, pressure boiled, and pressure steamed). The antioxidant activity of vegetables decreased with the treatment. Except for Fe, the mineral compositions of vegetables cooked by different methods were significantly different from raw vegetables. As a result, it was revealed that steamed vegetables preserved their color values better and the antioxidant activity values of steamed vegetables were closest to raw vegetables.

The toxic effects of mercury in earthworms and the potential alleviation effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) using ATR-FTIR and LC-MS analysis methods were investigated. Different concentrations of mercury chloride (H1: 5 µg/mL, H2: 10 µg/mL, H3: 20 µg/mL, H4: 40 µg/mL, and C1: control) and mercury chloride prepared in hydrogen-rich water (H5: 5 µg/mL, H6: 10 µg/mL, H7: 20 µg/mL, H8: 40 µg/mL, and C2: control) were injected into earthworms. The changes and reductions in some bands representing proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides (3280 cm