Owing to higher focus on the development of nutritionally customised foods for enhanced health benefits, the 3D food printing industry is anticipated to experience significant expansion. According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled “Food 3D Printing Market," the Food 3D Printing Market was valued at $226.20 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach $15.1 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 52.8% from 2022 to 2031.
With a market this size, you might already be considering entering this new food product development opportunity. Let’s delve into the intricate dance of technology and gastronomy, where 3D printers transform ingredients into edible masterpieces with the touch of a button. From intricate chocolate sculptures to personalised pasta shapes, and even solutions for complex dietary needs, 3D food printing is not just an avant-garde experiment but a glimpse into the future of food.
If you’re new to the concept then these recent articles will provide a good introduction into where this area of development is up to and how chefs, food scientists, and technologists are leveraging this cutting-edge technology to push the boundaries of creativity, customise nutrition, and redefine food design.
- Insights from thomasnet.com
- Groundbreaking technologies from bnnbreaking.com
- 3D printed meat from 3Dnatives.com
How can a Texture Analyser help in the development of 3D printed food?
A Texture Analyser can play a pivotal role in the development of 3D printed food in several ways:
Material compatibility: It helps in determining which food materials are suitable for 3D printing by assessing their rheological properties and behaviour under stress.
Printability assessment: By analysing the texture, the machine can assess the printability of different food pastes, ensuring they can maintain shape and structure during and after printing.
Product testing: Post-printing, a Texture Analyser can evaluate the mechanical properties of the printed food, such as hardness, chewiness, springiness, and resilience, which are critical for consumer acceptance.
Quality control: Consistent texture is crucial for consumer satisfaction. The Texture Analyser ensures that the 3D printed food meets the desired quality standards batch after batch.
Optimisation of 3D printing parameters: The texture analysis data can guide adjustments in the 3D printing process, such as nozzle size, extrusion rate, and layer height, to achieve the best texture.
Customisation: It allows for the customisation of textures to cater to specific dietary needs or preferences, which is one of the unique advantages of 3D food printing.
Innovation in food design: Texture Analysers enable the creation of novel textures that may not be achievable through traditional food preparation methods, thus expanding the possibilities in culinary designs and experiences.
Shelf-life studies: Understanding the textural changes over time can help in predicting and improving the shelf-life of 3D printed food products.
So, if this is the path of food development that you have already decided to investigate or still need convincing of what tools you’ll need along the way to create the food of tomorrow and the tantalising possibilities it holds for the sustainable and efficient production of food in our ever-growing world, then let’s guide you through how a Texture Analyser can help in the all important aspect of providing the right texture at every stage.
In essence, a Texture Analyser is an invaluable tool for innovating and ensuring the quality of 3D printed foods, ultimately leading to a successful product in a burgeoning field.
What types of test can a Texture Analyser perform throughout the stages of 3D printed food development?
Before printing:
You will need to determine the flow properties or consistency of food materials to ensure they can be extruded smoothly through the printer nozzles. Also, it will be necessary to evaluate whether the food material that is extruded can then maintain its shape and structural integrity during the printing process. Consistency measurements can be performed by an extrusion test that measures the flow of material around a disc or through a hole.
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| Forward and Back Extrusion Rigs for consistency measurement |
After printing:
You will need to measure the firmness and springiness of the printed food, which can affect mouthfeel and consumer satisfaction. A Texture Analyser can assess how well a food material recovers its shape after deformation, which can be important for foods that are expected to have a certain bounce or sponginess. Also, the evaluation of shelf-life will be necessary to assess the changes in texture over time to predict and improve the product's shelf life. This can be done by compression testing using cylinder probes larger than the sample being tested.
You might also want to measure the force required to penetrate or cut through the food, which relates to the perceived toughness or softness. A test using a blade can simulate the biting action to analyse the initial hardness which is important for quality control and customer satisfaction.
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| Typical compression and shear testing on a Texture Analyser |
Other measurements of interest:
Adhesion tests will allow you to determine how well different layers of printed material adhere to each other, which is crucial for the structural stability of multi-layered 3D printed foods.
Tensile tests will allow the analysis of the stretchability of food materials, important for products that require a certain elasticity, like cheese or dough.
Bend tests will ascertain the fracturability or flexibility of a material.
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| A typical three point bend test on a Texture Analyser |
These tests allow developers to fine-tune the properties of 3D printed food, ensuring that the final product meets the desired textural criteria and provides an enjoyable eating experience.
But don’t take our word for it. This field of food product development has already been heavily researched using a Texture Analyser so you might be interested to learn how researchers have already applied texture analysis test methods.
Find out more about the use of texture analysis in 3D printed foods.
For an even more thorough review of this topic request our article ‘3D printing and the need to measure physical and dimensional properties of food’
There is a Texture Analysis test for virtually any physical property. Contact Stable Micro Systems today to learn more about our full range of solutions.
For more information on how to measure texture, please visit the Texture Analysis Properties section on our website.
The TA.XTplusC texture analyser is part of a family of texture analysis instruments and equipment from Stable Micro Systems. An extensive portfolio of specialist attachments is available to measure and analyse the textural properties of a huge range of food products. Our technical experts can also custom design instrument fixtures according to individual specifications.
No-one understands texture analysis like we do!
Get in touch to discuss your specific test requirement
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