Hydrogen gas as a central on-off functional switch of reversible metabolic arrest – New perspectives for biotechnological applications

•Exposure to a 100 % H2 atmosphere induces metabolic arrest and stops growth.•Addition of O2 or air completely restores the H2 induced metabolic arrest.•Under 100 % H2 atmosphere, microalgae tolerate extreme stress situations.•Exposure to H2 strongly decreases the fluctuations of protein residues.•In H2 atmosphere biological products, like fruits, preserved unchanged for months.