Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have developed a novel method to convert plastic and plant waste into edible, protein-rich food additives. The project, called µBites, was originally created for the NASA Deep Space Food Challenge. The team engineered yeast strains to produce valuable compounds, including vanillin for flavor and beta-carotene for nutrition.

By combining these engineered microbes, they successfully 3D-printed cookies with enhanced taste and color. This approach addresses both food insecurity and plastic pollution, offering a sustainable solution for future food production. The work was presented at the American Chemical Society's fall meeting.