Nutrient-Dense 3D-Printed Snacks

ENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, scientists are exploring the creation of nutrient-dense, 3D-printed snacks using plant cell cultures and agri-food fruit processing by-products. To create new food products, ENEA researchers developed ingredients and formulations for snack bars and spheres—“honey pearls”—and used a prototype 3D printer specifically designed for the project by Elthub. “Our studies revealed that the ‘pearls’ enriched with plant cells show improved texture and juiciness, making them more appealing to consumers,” said Simona Errico, researcher at the Regenerative Circular Bioeconomy Laboratory of the ENEA Research Center in Trisaia.

With an online survey, ENEA found that 59% of respondents would be willing to purchase innovative foods produced with these technologies, particularly when linked to health benefits. Beyond holding value for reducing food waste, especially as access to new arable land changes, these nutritious food products have the potential to be customized to individual needs.