Scientists 3D-Printed Edible Cookies Made From Plastic for NASA

Microbiologist Lahiru Jayakody of Southern Illinois University Carbondale developed µBites, cookies made from recycled plastic and corn waste, for NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge. Plastic is broken down via oxidative hydrothermal dissolution, and genetically engineered microbes convert the resulting molecules into proteins, fats, vanillin and beta carotene.

• PET plastic and corn stalks are broken down in pressurized oxygenated water
• Engineered yeast converts the molecules into proteins, fats and beta carotene
• The dough is 3D-printed into high-protein cookies
• The project was built for NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge