Southern Illinois University researchers convert plastic waste into edible food

Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have developed a method to convert plastic waste and plant scraps into nutritious food components. As part of the NASA Deep Space Food Challenge, the team used genetically modified yeast to biotransform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from plastic bottles, along with agricultural waste like corn stalks and leaves, into proteins, vitamins, and fats.

The process involves breaking down the plastic and plant matter using water, oxygen, pressure, and temperature to create simpler chemical compounds. The modified yeast then consumes these compounds as a carbon source to grow, producing edible biological mass. This mass is combined with fiber and starch to create ‘microbites’—high-protein cookies produced via 3D printing.

Project leader Dr. Lahiru Jayakody noted that the technology aims to upcycle plastic into higher-value products. While initially designed to address food scarcity in resource-limited environments like long-duration space missions, the technology could also serve disaster-stricken areas on Earth.