3D Food Printing: Principles of Obtaining Digitally-Designed Nourishment

Abstract

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology gained significance in the fields of medicine, engineering, the food industry, and molecular gastronomy. 3D food printing (3DFP) has the main objective of tailored food manufacturing, both in terms of sensory properties and nutritional content. Additionally, global challenges like food-waste reduction could be addressed through this technology by improving process parameters and by sustainable use of ingredients, including the incorporation of recovered nutrients from agro-industrial by-products in printed nourishment. The aim of the present review is to highlight the implementation of 3DFP in personalized nutrition, considering the technology applied, the texture and structure of the final product, and the integrated constituents like binding/coloring agents and fortifying ingredients, in order to reach general acceptance of the consumer. Personalized 3DFP refers to special dietary necessities and can be promising to prevent different non-communicable diseases through improved functional food products, containing bioactive compounds like proteins, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and/or probiotics.

Awareness, Knowledge, and Interest about Prebiotics—A Study among Romanian Consumers

“…The interplay between prebiotics and probiotics as food or drug triggered the need for specific requirements to be classified as prebiotics as defined by ISAPP, a non-profit organization promoting probiotic and prebiotic science [12], whose definition is as follows: firstly, the ability to be resistant to gastric acidity, enzymes hydrolysis, and gastrointestinal absorption; selectively fermented by intestinal microorganisms; and selectively target and stimulate the growth and activity of gut bacteria [1,12,15]. In-vitro and in-vivo studies are needed to demonstrate a substrate's health benefit with potential prebiotic effects.…”

Effect of Labelling and Information on Consumer Perception of Foods Presented as 3D Printed

“…Similarly, personalized nutrient supplementation and visually appealing confectionary did not resonate strongly with the study’s GenZ university participants. Three-dimensional food applications targeted to this generation could instead highlight sustainability and ‘social responsibility’ applications [ 41 ] such as printed snacks from fruit and vegetable waste [ 5 , 8 ] and printed plant based ‘meat’ and cultured animal cells [ 9 ]. Additionally, information about a novel technology may be beneficial to consumers when the technology is unfamiliar or where misconceptions are common, such as food irradiation [ 42 ].…”

“…Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a production technology that allows successive deposition of materials layer by layer based on computer-aided design [ 1 ]. Three-dimensional food printing (3DFP) applications include creative design of confections [ 2 ] through customization of intricate food geometries [ 3 ], personalized nutrient delivery [ 4 , 5 ], appealing presentation of puréed diets for individuals with chewing and swallowing challenges [ 6 , 7 ], valorization of food waste [ 8 ], and meat substitute fabrication [ 9 ]. Considering these benefits, there is great optimism about the future of this novel food technology [ 2 , 10 ].…”

Chitosan and Whey Protein Bio-Inks for 3D and 4D Printing Applications with Particular Focus on Food Industry

“… Detailed working diagram of four types of 3D printing technologies: ( A ) extrusion-based printing, ( B ) binder jetting, ( C ) selective laser sintering, and ( D ) inkjet printing. Adapted from Reference [ 15 ], with permission from Elsevier. …”

“…It allows for the creation of privately customized food products according to nutrient demands, as well as unique textures, colors, and tastes. There are four types of 3D printing technologies utilized in the food industry: extrusion-based printing, inkjet printing, binder jetting, and selective laser sintering ( Figure 1 ) [ 15 ]. In addition, FDM, as mentioned above, is the most used technique in the food industry, and it usually utilizes hummus, chocolate, and sweets as printing inks [ 16 ].…”