OVERVIEW

The module deals with the fundamental items of food chemistry and addresses particular attentions to the relation between nourishing and health, with a preventive framework.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main formative goals are - laying basis for further learning by the chemical knowledge of nutrients in foods, also starting from the students’ personal experiences; - applying the acquired learning to widely consumed foods or to foods which are largely employed as raw materials; - favouring the development of a critical attitude that allows to remain critical when exposed to communications on the subject nourishing-health, coming from media or Internet; - critically evaluating the actual health impact both of healthy and of dangerous compounds in foods, whatever the origin of these compounds (natural and accidental) is.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

For the 4 CFU level :

At the end of the module students will be able  to

• synthesize the different topics the course dealt with
• identify the best of the “essential” nutrients
• identify the possible involvement of “essential” nutrients in chemical reaction which may decrease their  bioavailability
• connect different topics the course dealt with
• estimate the importance of different foods in a balanced diet
• asking questions about particular dietetic choice
• verify whether foods can interact with drugs

• use the sources provided during the lessons to elaborate a critical thought on the topics covered (alphabetical-functional competence

• use, process and evaluate the information acquired with argumentative skills (alphabetical-functional competence)

Moreover, for the 6 CFU level, the student will be able to

Evaluate the dietetic role and the desirable frequency of some basic foods and of their derivatives on the basis of their chemical composition

PREREQUISITES

Organic chemistry

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons with the involvement of students about the topics to deal with, on the basis of students' personal experiences and interests. 

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department ( Prof. Luca Raiteri, Luca.Raiteri@unige.it ) before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific learning methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes. VERY IMPORTANT: any request for compensatory tools and adaptations in the exam MUST be done within 10 working days before the date of the exam according to the instructions that can be found at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/comunicazioni

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

For the 4 CFU level

The chemical properties of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Food inorganics. Nutritional requirements, sources and stability of vitamins. Food manufacturing techniques. Lipid oxidation and Maillard reaction in foods and dietetics: chemistry and nutritional consequences. Additives and contaminants.

For the 6 CFU level

Chemical composition of Milk and dietetic milk, cheese, ricotta and yogurt). Cereals and their derived foods (i.e. bread and pasta). Legumes. Olive oils and other edible oils and fats.  Other topics are chosen on the basis of the students’ requests.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cappelli P., Vannucchi V. Prinicipi di Chimica degli alimenti - ZANICHELLI Editore (Nuova edizione)

Evangelisti F., Restani P. , Boggia R.. Prodotti dietetici. Chimica Tecnologia e Impiego - PICCIN Editore (III Edizione)

Cabras, A. Martelli. Chimica degli Alimenti – PICCIN Editore

Mannina L., Daglia M., Ritieni A. La chimica e gli alimenti - CEA Editore

on-line slides provided by the lecturer 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Following the official calendar at the beginning of the semester (close to September, 21st to the scheduled time )

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam requires about thirty minutes/student and is carried out in the presence of two lecturers. After an introductory question, the exam aims at verifying the student ability to connect the faced learning topics and integrating chemical information with nutritional implications.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any questions about the program and the activities of the module, contact the lecturer via email (Raffaella.Boggia@unige.it)
Students with  Specific Learning Disability (SLD) certification, disability or other particular educational need are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the module to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance with the educational objectives of the same module, provide adequate compensatory tools.