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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 37 sources · 2 days · First seen 4 days ago · Last updated 2 days ago

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. 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 expeditions, as well as use in submarines, disaster zones, and global food relief efforts.

Entities

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

Timeline

2 days ago

[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.
4 days ago

[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 · newsbytesapp.com · nexofin.com · popsci.com · razydzisiaj.pl · revistagalileu.globo.com · rt.com · sciencealert.com · scientificinquirer.com · tech.everyeye.it · technologyreview.de · time.news · tribuna.com.mx · upday.com