NASA-backed scientists made high-protein cookies from plastic waste:How could it help tackle food shortages in war zones and feed crews in space?

What if plastic bottles and agricultural waste could one day be turned into food? Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are developing µBites (microbites), 3D-printed, protein-rich cookies made using ingredients derived from plastic and agricultural waste.
Funded by NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge, the project aims to support future space missions and explore new ways to tackle waste and food shortages. Although the researchers say the cookies are edible, they are still awaiting institutional approval to conduct taste tests. The technology is also being developed further before the products can reach consumers. What are µBites, and how are they made? µBites are 3D-printed cookies designed to provide protein and other nutrients using ingredients derived from waste materials. The research team, led by Southern Illinois University Carbondale associate professor Lahiru Jayakody, uses polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic commonly found in water and soft-drink bottles. Discarded corn stalks, leaves and other agricultural materials are also used in the process. However, the researchers do not simply grind plastic into a powder and mix it into cookie dough. Instead, they use a specialised process to break down the waste and allow microorganisms to convert it into potentially useful food ingredients. The process involves three main steps: 1. Breaking down plastic and agricultural waste The researchers first use a technique called oxidative hydrothermal dissolution. It combines water, oxygen, high temperatures, and pressure to break down tough waste materials into smaller components that microorganisms can process. 2. Using specially designed yeast The resulting materials are then fed to specially engineered yeast strains. These microorganisms convert suitable components into new ingredients, including proteins and other potentially useful nutritional compounds. The researchers are also investigating ways to produce additional ingredients, such as vitamins and flavourings, through microbial processes. 3. Printing the cookies The resulting mixture is combined with ingredients such as fibre, starch and sweeteners. It is then passed through a 3D printer to produce cookies. This approach could eventually allow food to be manufactured using locally available waste materials and other resources rather than relying entirely on conventional food supplies. How can turning plastic into food help tackle plastic pollution? Plastic pollution harms the environment as waste accumulates in landfills, rivers and oceans. The µBites project explores a new approach by using specialised yeast to convert processed PET plastic into useful food ingredients. This process, called plastic upcycling, transforms waste into potentially valuable products. Unlike conventional recycling, it uses biological processes to convert components of plastic into ingredients for food production. Here is how the approach could help the environment: However, the process is still under development. It will need further research to establish how efficiently it can process waste, how it can be scaled up, and whether it offers environmental benefits over existing alternatives. The technology also does not mean that people can safely eat plastic. The plastic must first undergo controlled processing, and the resulting ingredients must meet strict food-safety requirements. Also read: You can access ‘X’ and ‘Grok AI’ under single membership: Elon Musk combines all four plans, from Plus to Ultra; check prices for Indian users

How could µBites benefit astronauts and people on Earth? 1. Food for long space missions Astronauts travelling to the Moon or Mars need food supplies for extended periods. µBites could provide an additional source of nutrients and reduce dependence on food transported from Earth. 2. Supporting Moon and Mars settlements Future space colonies will need ways to reuse resources and minimise waste. µBites could help turn suitable waste materials into food ingredients, supporting more sustainable living beyond Earth. 3. Addressing food shortages The technology could offer an alternative way to produce nutritional ingredients in regions with limited food resources. However, further research is needed to establish whether it can provide safe, affordable and nutritious food at scale. 4. Feeding people in disaster zones Natural disasters can disrupt food supplies and make it difficult to deliver essential resources. If adapted for emergency use, this technology could potentially support food production in remote areas with limited access to conventional supplies. 5. Reusing agricultural waste Discarded corn stalks, leaves, and other plant materials can serve as raw materials for producing food ingredients. This approach could help recover valuable resources from agricultural waste while reducing the amount of material discarded. What did the researchers say about the project? The team believes that waste materials could become valuable resources if scientists develop the right technologies to process them. Explaining the idea behind the research, Jayakody said: We were trying to develop technologies for plastic upcycling to make more valuable products. We thought, why not focus on making food? Because plastic is carbon and food is carbon. The researchers are also working to improve the cookies’ flavour and nutritional composition. According to the team, one yeast strain can produce vanilla flavouring from plant biomass, while another can convert ethylene glycol, a compound associated with PET plastic, into beta-carotene, which the human body can convert into vitamin A. These developments could help scientists produce more of the ingredients required for food through biological processes. The team’s long-term goal is to develop µBites into a more appealing food product that could eventually be made available to consumers. However, the cookies have not yet been cleared for public consumption, and further development and safety assessments remain necessary. So if the technology proves safe, practical, and affordable, it could eventually support food production in challenging environments, including long-duration space missions and remote locations on Earth.
However, several challenges remain, including food-safety approval, nutritional testing, production costs, and the ability to scale up the process. For now, µBites remains a developing research project, but it offers an intriguing example of how biotechnology could help address two major challenges: plastic pollution and the need for more flexible food-production systems.