3D printed vegan food: A new study on printed squid rings

Vegans care a lot about the environment and animals, so they need more vegan food options that can help them.

Scientists are finding new ways to create tasty vegan seafood, so they've used a special printer to make squid rings from algae and beans. 

These rings can be air-fried for a quick, yummy snack, and they harm the environment way less than traditional ones.

Why they've decided to do it

Overfishing and environmental damage from fishing and fish farming are big concerns. 

This new approach aims to offer sustainable alternatives.

Poornima Vijayan, a researcher, believes future seafood supply might be limited. 

She emphasizes the need for alternative protein sources, especially in places like Singapore, which relies heavily on imported fish.

How it was created

The researchers have successfully created fake salmon and shrimp from plant proteins. 

Now, they're working on calamari rings. 

They've combined algae and mung bean proteins, along with healthy oils, to mimic calamari's taste and texture.

While the 3D printer gives structure and texture, cooking is still necessary. 

In initial tests, air-fried samples showed promising taste and texture. 

Why it's important

The goal is to refine the product for a wider audience, keeping it similar to commercially available calamari rings.

This plant-based option may also cater to those with mollusk allergies. 

The team plans to develop various prototypes and explore large-scale production. 

They anticipate these squid-like products could be available in select eateries or specialty stores in the coming years. 

This innovation offers a sustainable, seafood-like option for consumers.
 

• Related news:
• research
• food
• vegan
• science
• 16 September 2023

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