Li Xiao (standing) samples fresh yak milk at a remote pastoral ranch in Metog county, with his colleagues recently. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

When Li Xiao was dispatched to assist the Xizang autonomous region in 2020, the microbiology expert stumbled upon a treasure trove.

Situated on the arid Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, an area with sparse oxygen levels, Xizang has nurtured a distinctive microbial ecosystem over centuries. The harsh environment has dissuaded many researchers from venturing into the region, inadvertently safeguarding its indigenous strains.

"Unexpectedly, we found that the microbial functions here are exceptional due to our opportunity to aid Xizang," he said.

As part of a 30-year-old assistance initiative pairing wealthier eastern regions with locations in Xizang, Li's employer, Angel Group, a State-owned biotech company based in Yichang, Hubei province, was assigned to support Gyatsa county in Xizang's Lhokha city.

Answering the nation's call, Li, a professor-turned-engineer at Angel Group, embarked on an inspection of Xizang with a team of engineers.

With a doctorate in fermentation engineering, Li discerned the hidden microbial treasures in Xizang from a technical standpoint, and recognized the potential of these microbes for human use. He proposed establishing a plant in the region to commercialize indigenous prebiotic strains.

Prebiotics have various industrial applications due to their beneficial effects on gut health and overall well-being, such as in making yogurts and animal feed, and repairing contaminated soil.

He envisioned harnessing benefits of Xizang's indigenous strains to potentially rival Western dominance in high-performance prebiotics.

"Our Chinese market was previously monopolized by prebiotic suppliers from Europe and the United States," Li noted, underscoring the significance of their efforts in Xizang to break such monopolies and bolster China's standing in the field.

Li Xiao (center) gathers samples of traditional fermented foods from a nomad family in Ngari prefecture in 2022. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To gather indigenous prebiotic strains for research and development, Li and his colleagues extensively traversed the region, collecting samples from remote and uninhabited areas, including desolate zones. Their sampling ranged from yak excrement to yak milk and products fermented from the animal's milk.

"We had to trek hundreds of kilometers through uninhabited terrain to locate a stray wild yak. Given their aggressive nature, we could only collect its feces at that time," Li recounted.

Their diligence eventually paid dividends. For instance, they ran into a strain at an old-fashioned dairy processing plant in Damshung county near Lhasa. This strain imparts a natural fruity aroma to yogurt without the need for additives, holding significant market potential. The strain has since been industrialized and incorporated into yogurt production at a factory owned by his employer in Yichang.

Their fieldwork in remote regions posed life-threatening challenges, with Li recalling a harrowing incident where he battled a high fever in a high-altitude town.

"Having a fever can be fatal on the plateau. I took fever-reducing drugs, wrapped myself in blankets. After a few hours, I began to sweat, which gave me hope that I was on the path to recovery," he said.

Their endeavors resulted in the isolation of over 1,800 microbial strains from 182 samples, with more than 30 strains now primed for industrial applications. Li's contributions were commemorated in a dance drama in Gyatsa county, where a character clad in white attire was inspired by him.

According to a count by the regional government of Xizang, nearly 12,000 officials and professionals nationwide have been sent to work in the region over the last 30 years.