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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [TECHNOLOGY]

3 clusters · 39 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated

Plastic waste upcycling for edible food production

Overview

Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, supported by a NASA-led Deep Space Food Challenge, have developed a method to transform PET plastic waste and agricultural leftovers into edible, protein-rich cookies known as ‘µBites’ or ‘AµBites’.

The process utilizes oxidative hydrothermal dissolution—employing heat, water, and oxygen—to break down plastic and biomass into carbon-rich chemical compounds. Specialized yeast strains, modified using CRISPR technology, then consume these compounds to produce essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins, and flavoring molecules like vanilla. Researchers have also demonstrated the ability to convert ethylene glycol from the plastic into beta-carotene. The resulting mixture is combined with starch and fiber before being shaped via 3D printing.

While the technology is currently in the experimental stage with production costs estimated at approximately $60 per kilogram, it is intended to address food security in resource-limited environments. Potential applications include long-duration space missions, such as Mars or Moon expeditions, as well as use in submarines, disaster zones, and global food relief efforts.

While safety data has been collected, the research team is currently seeking institutional approval for human taste testing. Future development goals include using microbes to produce all primary ingredients, such as starches and sweeteners, to establish a fully circular production cycle.

Entities

Southern Illinois University Carbondale · NASA · Lahiru Jayakody · µBites · American Chemical Society

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Southern Illinois University researchers turn plastic waste into 3D-printed food

    Southern Illinois University researchers have used engineered yeast to transform plastic waste and agricultural biomass into protein-rich, 3D-printed cookies for potential use in space and resource-limited Ter-

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    NASA-supported project turns recycled plastic into edible cookies

    NASA-supported researchers have developed a way to turn recycled PET plastic and agricultural waste into edible, 3D-printed cookies to support long-term space travel and food security.

  3. [TECHNOLOGY] 34 sources
    Southern Illinois University researchers create cookies from plastic waste

    Scientists at Southern Illinois University have engineered yeast to convert PET plastic and agricultural waste into 3D-printed, protein-rich cookies called µBites for potential use in space missions and crisis'

Sources

24.hu · actualidad.rt.com · bild.de · bionity.com · blikk.hu · chemie.de · cleanfuture.co.in · elheraldodesaltillo.mx · es.gizmodo.com · forbesliberia.com · gazzettadelgusto.it · geekweek.interia.pl · gizmodo.com · go4it.ro · green.hu · inovacaotecnologica.com.br · it-boltwise.de · knowridge.com · laborpraxis.vogel.de · lapatilla.com · larepublica.pe · mashable.com · me.mashable.com · nemosnewsnetwork.com · news.sharelab.jp · newsbytesapp.com · nexofin.com · popsci.com · razydzisiaj.pl · revistagalileu.globo.com · rt.com · sciencealert.com · scientificinquirer.com · scitechdaily.com · tech.everyeye.it · technologyreview.de · time.news · tribuna.com.mx · upday.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history