Yogurt made from strains of bacteria that were sent into space to be bombarded by cosmic radiation is now available commercially.<\/p>\n
Himawari Dairy, a Kochi-area dairy manufacturer, reserved a seat aboard a Soyuz rocket that took off from Baikonur Cosmodrome this spring. The “passengers” were two strains of bacteria: lactic acid bacteria used in ordinary yogurt and a unique strain of Lactobacillus paracasei cultured from pickles preserved in the dregs of sake (called sake lees), which is thought to enhance the body’s immunity to disease.<\/p>\n
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According to Yoshizawa, about half of the bacteria died in the agar medium due to the harsh environment inside the rocket. The company claims that the strong, surviving bacteria gives the space yogurt a more full-bodied flavor than commonplace yogurts made with earthbound bacteria.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Y’know, it’d be really embarassing if all life on Earth was eventually wiped out by killer yogurt.<\/p>\n