What does it take to prepare a meal? Naturally, the products! In fact, after a few years the answer may not be so unambiguous. Indeed, recently, at the Experimental Biology 2018 conference, a group of scientists from South Korea presented a home 3D printer for food, which can print food taking into account personal preferences, as well as the characteristics of each individual's metabolism.
Researchers have put together a device that can reproduce the physical properties and nanoscale texture of food using nutritious powder ingredients. The powder is made as follows: nutrients (mainly proteins and carbohydrates) are ground by cryogenic grinding of raw materials at a temperature of minus 100 degrees Celsius. After that, when exposed to pressure, high temperatures and water, the contents turn into a porous film.
The very process of "cooking" is not much different from the 3D printing that has already entered our life. The "printer chef" applies nutrients in layers, after which the texture of the product is "printed" on top. When printing is finished, the product is ready for use or further processing. Scientists hope that their invention will be in demand in the future, since, according to experts, by 2050 the world's population will increase to 10 billion people. And this way of preparing food can save many from hunger, as well as reduce shipping, storage and transportation costs. According to one of the inventors, Associate Professor of the Department of Ewha Womans University, Jin-Qiu Ri,
“Our development will allow us to create food products with the necessary nutrient content with a controlled digestion rate and composition. With the help of 3D printing, dishes can be created in accordance with the user's needs and be as beneficial to his health as possible."
Vladimir Kuznetsov