These Cookies Are 3D-Printed and Made of Recycled Plastic
Scientists have engineered yeast that converts waste plastic and plant biomass into vanilla-flavored, 3D-printable protein cookies.
Scientists have created cookies made of recycled plastic and agricultural waste. These "µBites" were developed as part of NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge to address potential food shortages and plastic pollution for long space journeys. The cookies are made using yeast that converts PET plastic and biomass into protein, fats, and flavor.
NASA encouraged the team to refine the cookie's taste, which the SIU Carbondale researchers claim show promising results in aroma. However, the cookies are still untested for human consumption and are expensive to produce. Despite this, the researchers believe that with scale, the cost can be reduced and the yeast's efficiency improved, making it a potential solution to both food shortages and plastic pollution.
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