Exploring plant-based materials in 3D printing: Developing sustainable, nutrient-rich inks for personalized nutrition and special dietary needs

3D-printing is a cutting-edge additive manufacturing technique, meets the demand for complex food materials, personalized nutrition, and customized food designs. With growing interest in plant-based foods for health benefits, studies on plant-derived printable materials have increased. This research examined various food inks and 3D-printed objects from plant-based sources like cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, nuts, algae, and fungi, focusing on microstructure, colorimetric properties, printability, rheological behavior, and textural attributes. This also explored specialized plant-based diets for dysphagia patients and children, alongside 3D-printed plant-derived meat alternatives mimicking traditional meat in taste, texture, and nutrition. Although research on plant-based meat analogues was still emerging, significant advancements are being made. 3D-printing facilitates plant-based foods tailored to special dietary needs, offering nutritionally optimized and visually appealing options. This review explored the impact of food ink composition on 3D-printed plant products, emphasizing the need for extensive research to develop functional and nutraceutical plant-based products.