CHIMICA DEGLI ALIMENTI E NUTRACEUTICA

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: IVAN PIETRO OLIVERI

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge in the field of food chemistry, in particular on basic regulations in the food sector, on analytical techniques useful for the authentication and quality control of foods, on organic products, GMOs, additives and food contaminants and on the chemistry of various foods, focusing attention on nutraceutical aspects.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired specific skills that will allow them to understand which analytical techniques are most suitable for analyzing a food, which are the important regulations in the food sector and to understand foods from a chemical and nutraceutical point of view.

In reference to the so-called Dublin Descriptors, this course helps to acquire the following transversal skills:

Knowledge and understanding: inductive and deductive reasoning skills. Ability to understand the chemical processes involved in the analysis, conservation and control of foods, the "chemical" nature of foods and the various nutraceutical aspects, the basic regulations in the food field.

Applied knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the knowledge acquired for the correct evaluation of various problems in the food sector and develop the best resolution strategies using the scientific method rigorously.

Making judgements: critical reasoning ability

Communication skills: ability to describe in oral form, with language skills and terminological rigor, a scientific topic, illustrating motivations and results.

Learning skills: knowledge in the field of food chemistry useful for continuing to study mostly in a self-directed or autonomous way.

Course Structure

As per the didactic regulations of the Course of Studies.

If the teaching is given in a mixed or remote mode, the necessary changes with respect to what was previously stated may be introduced, in order to respect the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

General chemistry, organic chemistry and food biochemistry

Attendance of Lessons

As per the didactic regulations of the Course of Studies.

Detailed Course Content

Foods between nutrition and wellness

Principles of food law

Food authentication - conventional and advanced analytical techniques

Food preservation methods

Mineral salts: General, advanced analytical methodologies

Vitamins: food sources, nutraceuticals, supplements and analytical determination

Lipid foods: Generalities and nutraceutical aspects, Olive oil, Butter, functional and dietary foods and lipid-based supplements

Protein foods and food supplements

Cereals: Generalities and nutraceutical aspects, Wheat, Rice

Coffee, tea, cocoa and alcoholic beverages: chemistry and bioactive components and physiological effects

Organic, biodynamic and GMO products

Anti-nutritional factors

Contaminants and food additives

Textbook Information


Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Foods between nutrition and wellness
2Principles of food law
3Food authentication - conventional and advanced analytical techniques
4Food preservation methods
5Mineral salts: General, advanced analytical methodologies
6Vitamins: food sources, nutraceuticals, supplements and analytical determination
7Lipid foods: Generalities and nutraceutical aspects, Olive oil, Butter, functional and dietary foods and lipid-based supplements
8Protein foods and food supplements
9Cereals: Generalities and nutraceutical aspects, Wheat, Rice
10Coffee, tea, cocoa and alcoholic beverages: chemistry and bioactive components and physiological effects
11Organic, biodynamic and GMO products
12Anti-nutritional factors
13Contaminants and food additives

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral examination

Verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

The most common exam questions will be asked throughout the course
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO