Yeast-Engineered Cookies Made from Plastic Bottles Could Feed Astronauts and Disaster Survivors

Scientists at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, funded by NASA, have developed a process to convert PET plastic and agricultural waste into edible protein-rich cookies called µBites. Using a proprietary oxidative hydrothermal dissolution method, the team breaks down plastic and biomass into molecular fragments that engineered yeasts reassemble into proteins, fats, and vitamins. The goal is to address both plastic pollution and food insecurity, with applications ranging from deep-space missions to disaster relief zones. The technology is still in early stages. Production costs are high at about $60 per kilogram, and formal taste tests are pending. The team hopes to reduce costs and improve yeast efficiency, but regulatory approvals and consumer acceptance remain major hurdles. If successful, this could turn a major waste stream into a food source, though the timeline for commercial availability is uncertain.