Researchers have found living, cold-resistant yeast strains in the 5,300-year-old remains of Ötzi the Iceman. These findings have allowed scientists to begin early experiments in food production.

研究人員在 5,300 年前的「冰人」奧茲（Ötzi）遺骸中，發現了具有生命且耐寒的酵母菌株。這些發現讓科學家能夠開始進行食品生產的初步實驗。

The microorganisms found on the mummy are divided into three groups: those present while Ötzi was alive, those that entered the body from the glacier after death, and modern bacteria introduced during preservation. Mohamed S. Sarhan and his team at Eurac Research used advanced genetic testing and culturing methods to distinguish between dead ancient DNA and living organisms. They identified four types of cold-tolerant yeast, such as Glaciozyma, which are similar to yeasts found in the Arctic and Antarctic. These organisms entered the body after death and survived through a very slow growth cycle, supported by the specific conditions in the museum's storage facility.

在木乃伊身上發現的微生物分為三組：奧茲生存時就存在的、死後由冰河進入身體的，以及保存過程中引入的現代細菌。Mohamed S. Sarhan 和他在 Eurac Research 的團隊使用了先進的基因檢測與培養方法，來分辨死亡的古代 DNA 與活體生物。他們鑑定出四種耐寒酵母，例如 Glaciozyma，與在北極和南極發現的酵母相似。這些生物是在死後進入身體，並透過極其緩慢的生長週期生存至今，而博物館儲藏設施的特定條件也提供了支持。

Furthermore, the researchers noted that the external microbiome has changed because of the UV-treated water spray used to keep humidity at 99 percent. Alongside this biological mapping, the team tested how these living yeasts could be used practically. By adding the yeast to flour, they successfully created a sourdough starter. Because these strains can work in cold environments, they may have industrial value. Specifically, they could allow fermentation to happen at refrigerated temperatures, which would consequently reduce energy costs during food production and transport.

此外，研究人員注意到，由於使用經過 UV 處理的水霧將濕度維持在 99%，導致外部微生物群發生了改變。在進行這項生物製圖的同時，團隊也測試了這些活酵母在實際上的用途。透過將酵母加入麵粉，他們成功製作出酸種發酵起子。由於這些菌株在寒冷環境中也能運作，因此可能具有工業價值。具體而言，它們能讓發酵在冷藏溫度下進行，進而降低食品生產與運輸過程中的能源成本。

The mummy remains a living biological source, offering both a look into ancient environments and a way to improve cold-temperature fermentation.

這具木乃伊仍然是一個活的生物來源，既能讓我們窺探古代環境，也能提供改良低溫發酵的方法。