Microalgae 3D‑Printed Fish Alternative: Stable Within a Narrow Window

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April 7, 2026 News 9863

A recent study from Ewha Womans University in the United States has found that microalgae can serve as the sole matrix for 3D‑printed fish alternatives, but stable printing is only achievable within a narrow process window.

The research team used the microalga Auxenochlorella protothecoides as the raw material, dispersing the biomass in water without any additives, to create pastes with algal solid content ranging from 32 % to 40 % by weight. All formulations exhibited shear‑thinning behavior, which is favorable for extrusion‑based 3D printing.

However, as the concentration increased, flowability decreased while consistency index and yield point rose significantly, and the internal pore size shrank from 57 µm to less than 14 µm.

Experiments showed that the formulation with 36 % biomass was the most ideal—lower concentrations tended to cause spreading or collapse after extrusion, while higher concentrations led to under‑extrusion or nozzle clogging. With this optimal composition, adjusting the nozzle diameter and infill density made it possible to modify the texture of the printed samples: smaller nozzles produced more uniform strands, while higher infill density increased sample weight and firmness. These adjustments allowed the printed products to approach the strength of steamed mackerel, flounder, and salmon, though in terms of cohesiveness, they only matched that of mackerel.

The study confirms that microalgae can form fish‑like structures without the need for added plant proteins or hydrocolloids. However, the rheological properties and process parameters must be precisely matched; otherwise, it becomes difficult to achieve both printing accuracy and the desired texture.