An innovative 3D printing technology based mould for shrimp analogue product

Abstract

An innovative technology, 3D printing is widely used in many fields widely as it permits layer-by-layer construction of a structure directly from a 3D computer drawing without human intervention. In food, 3 D printing is very advantageous as it allows the fabrication of food products using wide variety of ingredients. Analogue products are highly sought after food as they imitate highly priced food commodities with modified texture and taste. The present study aimed to develop a 3D print based shrimp mould for developing shrimp analogue product from low value fish, lizard fish. For this Fused Filament Fabrication 3D modelling technique was used for developing shrimp analogue mould using bioplastic, polylactic acid (PLA). The developed mould was used to prepare shrimp analogue product using optimized combination of ingredients. Heating medium and temperature was used to optimize the setting conditions. The results indicated that PLA mould prepared using 3D printing technology is a cost effective device for developing shrimp analogue products. Heating in steam retort at 90 degree celsius for 20 min resulted in better product compared to other setting conditions.