研究人员对5300年前的Ötzi冰人遗骸进行微生物分析，发现了两类不同来源的微生物仍然存活[1]。其中包括Ötzi生前残存的原始肠道菌群，以及来自冰川环境的冷适应酵母菌[1]。这些微生物在冰川中存活了数千年之久，至今仍在博物馆的保存条件下保持活跃[1]。
研究发现，四种酵母菌中有三种具备分解酚的遗传能力[1]。这些酵母菌可能以1991年对遗骸进行防真菌处理时使用的酚类物质作为食物来源[1]。Ötzi冰人遗骸目前保存在零下6摄氏度、高湿度的环境中[1]。该项研究由Eurac研究所进行，由Mohamed S. Sarhan领导，成果已发表于《Microbiome》期刊2026年第14卷第1期[1]。
Researchers have identified living microorganisms on the remains of Ötzi the Iceman, whose mummified body has been preserved for over five millennia since his discovery in 1991 [1]. Through microbial analysis conducted by the Eurac Institute, scientists isolated two distinct categories of microbes: the ancient intestinal bacteria that colonized Ötzi's digestive system during his lifetime, and cold-adapted yeast species that originated from the glacier environment [1]. The cold-adapted yeasts show genetic relationships to strains found in the extreme conditions of Antarctica [1].
The microorganisms have remained viable for thousands of years within the glacier's frozen environment and continue to be metabolically active under the museum's storage conditions of minus 6 degrees Celsius and high humidity [1]. Notably, three of the four yeast species identified possess genetic capabilities to break down phenol, suggesting they may have utilized phenolic compounds introduced during the 1991 antifungal treatment of the body as a food source [1]. Led by researcher Mohamed S. Sarhan, the findings were published in the journal Microbiome, Volume 14, Issue 1, in 2026 [1].