3D-printed gummies with programmable internal voids as delivery systems for customized amounts of micronutrients

This paper explores the co-design and development of customizable 3D printed gummies as delivery systems for micronutrients. A virtual instrument, VI, enabling the consumers to select the main morphological properties and to indicate their own requirements of micronutrients was designed and developed. Such digital information was utilised to design gummies containing a void space to be filled with customised amounts of micronutrients. The starch-agar gel used for the printing experiments carried out at 50 °C through a narrow nozzle of 0.4 mm, showed a good printability performance obtaining a precise replica of the digital model. However, slight printing inaccuracies were observed through 2D/3D microtomographic images due to an improper solidification of the ink-gel during the closing movements of the voids. The 3D-printed gummies were described for the main texture properties showing low hardness (<6.87N), cohesiveness, and springiness which changed as a function of time.