3D Printing Plant-Based Fish Meat -- TranSpread

"Based on micro-CT scanning data, a muscle/fat biphasic high-simulation model for 3D printing yellow croaker meat in three parts (the dorsal, the base of the belly flesh, and the tail) was constructed via CAD reconstruction," explains Enbo Xu, senior and corresponding author of the study. "We used soy protein isolate–xanthan gum-starch complex as simulated muscle ink and nanostarch-carrageenan emulsion gel as simulated fat ink."

After the completion of a series of immersion treatments, the fish were stained with an iodine solution, with the aim of distinguishing the distribution of fat and muscle. Nonetheless, there was the challenge of adjusting the parameters of multi-nozzle 3D printing to achieve high precision.

About 90 percent of fish resources worldwide have already reached their sustainable fishery limit. Meanwhile, intensive farming and aquaculture contribute to significant environmental pollution and degradation. To address both the challenges of limited production efficiency and environmental harm, plant-based fish alternatives have emerged as a potential solution to traditional fisheries.

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