Integration of 3D Printing Technologies with Deuterated Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (D-PUFAs)

Abstract

Deuterated polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFAs) represent a novel class of bioactive lipids characterized by enhanced oxidative stability and promising therapeutic potential. Although direct research on integrating D-PUFAs with 3D printing technologies remains limited, this paper discusses the emerging opportunities for their use with these stable lipids. By drawing on similar studies with conventional PUFAs and other bioactive compounds, this paper highlights their chemical properties, availability, and potential compatibility with different biomaterials and substrates suitable for 3D printing applications. 3D bioprinting has enabled development of tailored carriers, scaffolds, and functional systems that can help improve product stability, enable more controlled release, and potentially enhance overall performance. This conceptual overview presents current developments, knowledge gaps, possible material combinations and processing strategies to incorporate D-PUFAs into 3D printed constructs, focusing on cosmetics applications. Finally, future research directions are discussed, emphasizing material requirements, processing conditions, and characterization techniques essential for real-case implementation.