Skip to main content
Non sei iscritto a nessun corso.
Course overview
Lista di tutti i corsi disponibili
You are currently viewing this course as Guest.

Nutritional and applied biochemistry - Prof. Enrico Dainese - a.y. 2023/2024

Food science and technology - 1st year

Topic outline

  • Collapse all Expand all

    General information about the course

    Born on September 28th, 1967, in Padova (Italy). Married with two children. Master's degree in Biological Sciences (University of Padova), title of PhD in “Biochemistry and biophysics applied to evolutionary biology” (University of Padova). Research activity at the University Paris-Sud (France) and University of Mainz (Germany). From 2000 to 2004 he was Researcher in Biochemistry at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Since 2005 to the present he is Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Teramo. From 2013 to 2015 he was President of the degree course in Biotechnology. Since 2014 he is coordinator of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology unit of Research. Member of the Academic Board of the PhD in "Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology". In April 2015 he obtained the National Scientific Qualification as Full Professor in General Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry. Current teaching activities: "Structural and functional biochemistry"; "Nutritional and applied biochemistry". "Molecular interactions among gametes and environment". Scientific interests: 1. Structure and function of metalloproteins and membrane proteins; 2. biochemistry of bioactive lipids and nutraceutics involved in inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer; 3. development of new methodologies for the analysis of genetically modified organisms in food. Member of the editorial board of “Frontiers in Membrane Physiology and Biophysics”, and Associate Editor of the the US journal “Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry”. http://scholar.google.it/citations?user=SLHpKr4AAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao

    INFO ABOUT THE COURSE


    OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

    • Knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function and interactions of major and minor food components (e.g. vitamins, oligonutrients, poliphenols, flavours, etc.).

      Demonstrate a critical understanding of the changes occurring during food process operations on the physico-chemical properties of foods altering the metabolic bioavailability of nutrients.

      Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship between food, nutrition and health, based on a comprehensive understanding of the different metabolic role of nutrients and bioactive food compounds.
    • Applying knowledge and understanding: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of food provenance in maintaining food quality. Undertake a biochemical analysis demonstrating how a food product can be authenticated. The case of typical food and of GMOs containing food.
    • Making judgements: Apply knowledge of the metabolic and nutritional biochemistry for the promotion, development and design of food containing bioactive compounds aimed at the prevention of the main disorders of industrialised countries with high social impact.
    • Communication: Describe the legal framework that applies to the production and commercialisation of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Description of the legal requirements, enforcement and the penalties that can be applied within the UE countries.
    • Learning skills: Demonstrate the application of the principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), health and security in the context of a food biochemistry laboratory, also for the purification of nutraceuticals.

      Demonstrate familiarity with evaluation techniques of quantitative and qualitative data collected experimentally in food biochemistry, food processing and nutritional assessment.

      Demonstrate the application of the principles of good laboratory practices (GLP), health and safety in the context of a food biochemistry laboratory, also for nutraceuticals purification.

      Knowing how to critically apply the main biochemical methodologies for the analysis of food quality, composition, authenticity and food safety. Critically discuss the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic factors on shelf-life and safety of foods.



    PREREQUISITE AND PREPARATORY

    • Prerequisite: Biohemistry of metabolism
    • Preparatory: not necessary

    DUBLIN DESCRIPTORS FOR UNIT

    UNIT 1: Metabolic pathways of macronutrients

    • Knowledge and understanding: Food and nutrients. Structural and energy functions of nutrients. Macro- and micro-nutrients. Non-nutrients. Bioavailability of nutrients. Technological treatments of food, chemical and physical changes and bioavailability of nutrients. Nutrient carbohydrates: monosaccharides and disaccharides, polysaccharides. Biochemical processes in the digestion of carbohydrates. Molecular systems of absorption and transport of the carbohydrates. Carbohydrate reserves in humans: accumulation and mobilization. Mechanisms of regulation of blood glucose. Unavailable carbohydrate and fibers. Glycemic index. Technological processes and nutritional properties of carbohydrates. The example of cereals
    • Applying knowledge and understanding: Protein nutrients: proteins and their constituents. Plastic function and energy of proteins. Bioavailability and nutritional value of food protein sources. Digestion of food proteins. Absorption and transport of amino acids. Main mechanisms of regulation of protein turnover in tissues and systems of the human organism. Control of the metabolism of proteins in humans. Technological processes and nutritional properties of proteins. The example of cereals, legumes and fish.
    • Making judgements: Lipid nutrients: fats, oils and their constituents. Biochemical processes in the digestion of lipids. Absorption and transport of lipids. Training and mobilization of lipid reserves in humans. Regulation of triglyceride and cholesterol. Technological processes and nutritional properties of lipids. The example of vegetable and fish oils.
    • Communication: Bioactive lipids in nutrition: eicosanoids, endocannabinoids and lipokines. Leptin and recent advances in the control of appetite. Bioactive lipids in nutrition: the eicosanoids. Changes that occur during food processing on the physico-chemical properties of lipids able to alter their metabolic bioavailability.
    • Learning skills: Knowing how to critically apply the main biochemical methodologies for the analysis of food quality, composition, authenticity and food safety. Critically discuss the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic factors on shelf-life and safety of foods.


    UNIT 2: Biochemical-nutritional role of the oligonutrients: functional interactions

    • Knowledge and understanding: Activation and biochemical role of water-soluble vitamins: B1, B2, B6, B12, C, H, PP, folic acid, pantothenic acid.
    • Applying knowledge and understanding: Absorption and transport of vitamin B12. The fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K. Absorption, activation and biological role.
    • Making judgements: Inorganic nutrients. Na, K, Ca, Mg and P: main biochemical roles of macro minerals. Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, I, F, Cr, Se, Co: biochemical role of trace elements.
    • Communication: Interactions between macro- and micro-nutrients (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols, oligonutrients, aromas, etc.) in various foods. The example of the grain, wine, olive oil. Changes of the main antioxidant compounds in food processing and during digestive metabolism.
    • Learning skills: Knowing how to critically apply the main biochemical methodologies for the analysis of food quality, composition, authenticity and food safety. Critically discuss the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic factors on shelf-life and safety of foods.


    UNIT 3: Functional foods and nutraceuticals.

    • Knowledge and understanding: Molecular and enzymatic alterations in obesity. Obesity as a disease of endogenous biochemical systems that modulate inflammation but also behavioral aspects.
    • Applying knowledge and understanding: Bioactive compounds in foods can prevent diseases spread wide and high social impact in industrialized countries. Nutrigenomics, epigenetic modulation and their role on major human diseases.
    • Making judgements: Functional foods, food supplements, novel foods: biochemical and nutritional insights. Foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biological nutritional quality, legislation and safety. Metabolic pathways of natural compounds (e.g., nutraceuticals, bioactive lipids, etc.) in foods of plant and animal origin.
    • Communication: Bioactive food and nutraceutics. Study of bioactive compounds and metabolic enzymes involved in the quality and safety of food (e.g., wine, olive oil and fish).
    • Learning skills: Knowing how to critically apply the main biochemical methodologies for the analysis of food quality, composition, authenticity and food safety. Critically discuss the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic factors on shelf-life and safety of foods.


    UNIT 4: Laboratory

    • Knowledge and understanding: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of food proteins by SDS-PAGE and ELISA
    • Applying knowledge and understanding: Measurement of protein solutions via UV spectrophotometry, Bradford assay and densitometric analysis of protein bands on polyacrylamide gel.
    • Making judgements: Description and use of computer programs for the analysis and processing of data (Excel and Image J).
      Preparation and storage of solutions. Biochemical buffers. Use of the spectrophotometer.
    • Communication: Main biochemical methodologies involved in the analysis of the quality, composition, purity and safety of food: protein assay methods (Bradford assay and spectrophotometric assay), SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, ELISA, ELISA-sandwitch, fluorescence spectrophotometry and "Antibody arrays".
    • Learning skills: Knowing how to critically apply the main biochemical methodologies for the analysis of food quality, composition, authenticity and food safety. Critically discuss the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic factors on shelf-life and safety of foods.

    COURSE BOOKS

    Biochimica degli alimenti e della nutrizione

    RESEARCH MATERIAL

    The Endocannabinoid System and Its Relevance for Nutrition

    INTERMEDIATE TESTS

    EVALUATION
    Class and laboratory attendance is strongly recommended.
    - Oral exam for evaluation of technical and scientific knowledge and skills as well as the improvement of a professional and technical language. - Project and research activities for product development with oral presentation of the final product in a dedicated session to evaluate communication, problem solving and team working skills (Dublin descriptors 3,4, 5).

  • Topic 1

    Unit 1. Bioavailability of nutrients. Structural and energy functions of nutrients. Macro- and micro-nutrients. Non-nutrients. Bioavailability of nutrients. Technological treatments of food, chemical and physical changes and bioavailability of nutrients. Nutrient carbohydrates: monosaccharides and disaccharides, polysaccharides. Biochemical processes in the digestion of carbohydrates. Molecular systems of absorption and transport of the carbohydrates. Carbohydrate reserves in humans: accumulation and mobilization. Mechanisms of regulation of blood glucose. Unavailable carbohydrate and fibers. Glycemic index. Technological processes and nutritional properties of carbohydrates. The example of cereals.  Interactions between macro- and micro-nutrients (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols, oligonutrients, aromas, etc.) in various foods. The example of the grain, wine, olive oil.Changes of the main antioxidant compounds in food processing and during digestive metabolism. Biochemical and molecular bases of eating disorders. Molecular and enzymatic alterations in obesity. Obesity as a disease of endogenous biochemical systems that modulate inflammation but also behavioral aspects. Bioactive compounds in foods can prevent diseases spread wide and high social impact in industrialized countries. Nutrigenomics, epigenetic modulation and their role on major human diseases. Functional foods and nutraceuticals. Functional foods, food supplements, novel foods: biochemical and nutritional insights. Foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biological nutritional quality, legislation and safety. Metabolic pathways of natural compounds (e.g., nutraceuticals, bioactive lipids, etc.) in foods of plant and animal origin. Bioactive food and nutraceutics. Study of bioactive compounds and metabolic enzymes involved in the quality and safety of food (e.g., wine, olive oil and fish).

  • Topic 2

    Unit 2. Biochemical-nutritional role of proteins

    Protein nutrients: proteins and their constituents. Plastic function and energy of proteins. Bioavailability and nutritional value of food protein sources. Digestion of food proteins. Absorption and transport of amino acids. Main mechanisms of regulation of protein turnover in tissues and systems of the human organism. Control of the metabolism of proteins in humans. Technological processes and nutritional properties of proteins. The example of cereals, legumes and fish. 

    Unit 3. Biochemical-nutritional role of lipids

    Biochemical-nutritional role of the lipids Lipid nutrients: fats, oils and their constituents. Biochemical processes in the digestion of lipids. Absorption and transport of lipids. Training and mobilization of lipid reserves in humans. Regulation of triglyceride and cholesterol. Technological processes and nutritional properties of lipids. Bioactive lipids in nutrition: eicosanoids, endocannabinoids and lipokines. Leptin and recent advances in the control of appetite.Bioactive lipids in nutrition: the eicosanoids. Changes that occur during food processing on the physicochemical properties of lipids able to alter their metabolic bioavailability. The example of vegetable and fish oils.

  • Topic 3

    Unit 5. Biochemical-nutritional role of the oligonutrients

    Activation and biochemical role of water-soluble vitamins: B1, B2, B6, B12, C, H, PP, folic acid, pantothenic acid. Absorption and transport of vitamin B12. The fat soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K. Absorption, activation and biological role. Inorganic nutrients. Na, K, Ca, Mg and P: main biochemical roles of macro minerals. Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, I, F, Cr, Se, Co: biochemical role of trace elements. Role of food suppliers and food enrichment. Nutraceutic value of bioactive compounds.

     

    Unit 6. Biochemical dysfunctions metabolic disorders.

    Molecular and enzymatic alterations in metabolic disorders. Obesity as a pathology of endogenous biochemical systems that modulate inflammation but also behavioural aspects. Bioactive compounds present in foods that are able to prevent pathologies of wide diffusion and high social impact typical of industrialized countries. Nutrigenomics, epigenetic modulation and their role on the main human pathologies.

  • Topic 4

    Unità 6. Basi biochimico-molecolari dei disordini alimentari.

    Alterazioni molecolari ed enzimatiche nell’obesità. L’obesità come patologia di sistemi biochimici endogeni che modulano l’infiammazione ma anche aspetti comportamentali. Composti bioattivi presenti negli alimenti in grado di prevenire patologie di vasta diffusione e di elevato impatto sociale tipiche dei paesi industrializzati. Nutrigenomica, modulazione epigenetica e loro ruolo sulle principali patologie umane.

  • Topic 5

    Unit 7. Functional and nutraceutical food.

    Functional foods, food supplements, novel food: definitions. Molecular mechanisms responsible for in vitro and in vivo nutraceutical properties  of food and nutrients. Food containing genetically modified (GMO) and organic food: nutritional quality, legislation and safety of use. Metabolic pathways of natural compounds (e.g. nutraceuticals, bioactive lipids, etc.) in food of plant and animal origin. Bioactive lipid compounds in food and nutraceuticals. Study of bioactive compounds and metabolic enzymes involved in the quality and safety of food.

  • Topic 6

    Unit 8. Applied Biochemistry for food analysis.

    Preparation and storage of solutions. Biochemical buffers. Use of the spectrophotometer. Main biochemical methodologies involved in the analysis of the quality, composition, purity and safety of food: protein assay methods (Bradford assay and spectrophotometric assay), SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, ELISA, ELISA sandwich, fluorescence spectrophotometry and "Antibody arrays". Quality and safety methodologies, procedures in a biochemistry laboratory.

    Laboratory

    Qualitative and quantitative analysis of food proteins by SDS-PAGE and ELISA. Measurement of protein solutions via UV spectrophotometry, Bradford assay and densitometric analysis of protein bands on polyacrylamide gel. Description and use of computer programs for the analysis and processing of data (Excel and Image J).

  • Topic 7

  • Topic 8

  • Topic 9

  • Topic 10

© 2024 Università degli Studi di Teramo • via R. Balzarini 1 64100 Teramo • P.I. 00898930672 - C.F. 92012890676

Data retention summary
Get the mobile app
Policies