Novel coaxial 3D printing for future foods: Multi-material structuring for functional and sustainable resource innovation

Abstract

The advancement of future food production relies on technological innovation to optimize resource utilization. Recent research highlights the transformative potential of coaxial nozzle printing (CNP), a novel technique surpassing conventional single-nozzle printing (SNP) and dual-nozzle printing (DNP). By integrating multi-channel nozzles into a coaxial configuration, CNP enables the construction of “core-shell structures” for diversified ingredient recombination and synchronous deposition, offering new possibilities to meet consumer demands for functionally specialized and diversified future food products. This study systematically compares the technical distinctions among SNP, DNP, and CNP in nozzle design, material extrusion mechanisms, and precision-determining factors. The innovative applications of CNP in future food production are summarized and analyzed in detail, including the one-step integration of effective encapsulation, the innovative design of specialized dietary, also the sustainable production of meat analogues. Current challenges in the industrial implementation of CNP along with feasible solutions, have been identified to advance sustainable and functional-oriented future food innovation.

Industry relevance

The “core-shell structure” enabled by CNP offers multiple advantages for innovating functional and diversified future food processing: 1) Simultaneous multi-material deposition allows one-step integration encapsulation to realized functionalization or customization; 2) Cross-linking during printing facilitates texture modification and regulation; 3) Masking capabilities for undesirable flavors/colors enhance functional utilization of sustainable alternative ingredients. For scalable implementation, CNP's technical principles and printing determinants are systematically reported, its diverse applications in food manufacturing are summarized, and theoretical solutions for industrial-scale production are proposed.