Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing

The integration of functional ingredients into 3D food printing formulations presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding the printability and structural integrity of the final product. This study investigates the effect of incorporating omega-3 fatty acids encapsulated in pea...

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Main Authors: Adrián Matas-Gil, Francisco de-la-Haba, Marta Igual, Purificación García-Segovia, Javier Martínez-Monzó
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2681
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author Adrián Matas-Gil
Francisco de-la-Haba
Marta Igual
Purificación García-Segovia
Javier Martínez-Monzó
author_facet Adrián Matas-Gil
Francisco de-la-Haba
Marta Igual
Purificación García-Segovia
Javier Martínez-Monzó
author_sort Adrián Matas-Gil
collection DOAJ
description The integration of functional ingredients into 3D food printing formulations presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding the printability and structural integrity of the final product. This study investigates the effect of incorporating omega-3 fatty acids encapsulated in pea protein into a model food gel composed of gelatin and iota-carrageenan. Four formulations with varying concentrations of encapsulated omega-3 (0%, 3%, 3.75%, and 6%) were evaluated for their rheological, textural, and printability properties. Rheological analysis revealed a progressive increase in storage modulus (G′) from 1200 Pa (0%) to 2000 Pa (6%), indicating enhanced elastic behavior. Extrusion analysis showed a reduction in maximum extrusion force from 325 N (0%) to 250 N (6%), and an increase in buffer time from 390 s to 500 s. Print fidelity at time 0 showed minimal deviation in the checkerboard geometry (area deviation: −12%), while the concentric cylinder showed the highest stability over 60 min (height deviation: 9%). These findings highlight the potential of using encapsulated bioactive compounds in 3D food printing to develop functional foods with tailored nutritional and mechanical properties.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2304-8158
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Foods
spelling doaj-art-de2c9a077f974846a66bc6af91d2e8a22025-08-20T04:00:50ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011415268110.3390/foods14152681Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink PrintingAdrián Matas-Gil0Francisco de-la-Haba1Marta Igual2Purificación García-Segovia3Javier Martínez-Monzó4I-FOOD, Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Alimentos-FoodUPV, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainResearch Institute of Meat and Meat Products (IProCar), University of Extremadura (UNEX), 10003 Cáceres, SpainI-FOOD, Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Alimentos-FoodUPV, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainI-FOOD, Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Alimentos-FoodUPV, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainI-FOOD, Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Alimentos-FoodUPV, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainThe integration of functional ingredients into 3D food printing formulations presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding the printability and structural integrity of the final product. This study investigates the effect of incorporating omega-3 fatty acids encapsulated in pea protein into a model food gel composed of gelatin and iota-carrageenan. Four formulations with varying concentrations of encapsulated omega-3 (0%, 3%, 3.75%, and 6%) were evaluated for their rheological, textural, and printability properties. Rheological analysis revealed a progressive increase in storage modulus (G′) from 1200 Pa (0%) to 2000 Pa (6%), indicating enhanced elastic behavior. Extrusion analysis showed a reduction in maximum extrusion force from 325 N (0%) to 250 N (6%), and an increase in buffer time from 390 s to 500 s. Print fidelity at time 0 showed minimal deviation in the checkerboard geometry (area deviation: −12%), while the concentric cylinder showed the highest stability over 60 min (height deviation: 9%). These findings highlight the potential of using encapsulated bioactive compounds in 3D food printing to develop functional foods with tailored nutritional and mechanical properties.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/26813D food printingfunctional foodsomega-3 encapsulationpea proteinfood gelsprintability
spellingShingle Adrián Matas-Gil
Francisco de-la-Haba
Marta Igual
Purificación García-Segovia
Javier Martínez-Monzó
Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing
Foods
3D food printing
functional foods
omega-3 encapsulation
pea protein
food gels
printability
title Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing
title_full Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing
title_fullStr Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing
title_full_unstemmed Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing
title_short Incorporation of Encapsulated Omega-3 in 3D-Printed Food Gels: A Study on Rheology, Extrusion, and Print Performance in Dual Ink Printing
title_sort incorporation of encapsulated omega 3 in 3d printed food gels a study on rheology extrusion and print performance in dual ink printing
topic 3D food printing
functional foods
omega-3 encapsulation
pea protein
food gels
printability
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2681
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