Using the same principals as molecular bonding technology, the protein modulator takes simple food-grade proteins from algae and plankton and turns them into fair approximations of more complex foods such as steak and potatoes. Purists swear that these artificial foods taste markedly different from the real thing and may prefer the original to the modified product, but such modulated foods are at least as healthy and nutritious as the real item and frequently more so as the amounts of fats and nutrients are closely regulated in the modulation process. Long-range ships frequently have stores of frozen protein and may even have growing tanks for fresh and continuing supplies of the raw materials used in this process.
A knowledgeable cook may use the modulator on grains, meats and other fresh foods to process them into specific dishes. This mechanism takes the place of many food prep instruments, though some cooks still prefer old-fashioned methods of food prep.
