OVERVIEW

The course takes into consideration the basic notions of the study of spontaneous and cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants. Botanical and pharmacognostic characteristics, production sites of secondary metabolites and essential oils and biotic and abiotic factors that influence the content and quality of the bioactive compounds will be studied. Examples of the different types of use of medicinal plants for health purposes will be illustrated.Notes on the cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants and new Italian legislation relating to this topic.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning of the concepts of medicinal and aromatic plants. Identification and pharmacognostic evaluation of medicinal plants. Qualitative and quantitative content of secondary metabolites and the concept of phytocomplex. Notes on the cultivation of medicinal plants and on factors affecting the content and quality of plant bioactive compounds.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation in the planned activities (lectures / seminars / educational visits) will allow the student to acquire knowledge about medicinal and aromatic plants and their use for health purposes.

Specifically, the student will be able to:

- identify the main spontaneous and cultivated Italian medicinal and aromatic plants

-describe cells, tissues and specialized structures, responsible for the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites and essential oils, in the different organs of the plant.

- provide examples of the main applications of medicinal and aromatic plants, in particular as flavoring in the culinary field, for liqueur and medicinal use.

- understand the role that various biotic and abiotic factors have in influencing the content and quality of the bioactive compounds.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of general and systematic botany and organic chemistry are required to effectively deal with the contents of the course.

TEACHING METHODS

The course (CFU 1+1) consists of lectures delivered through multimedia presentations, supplemented by laboratory activities and/or educational visits (field trips, visits to Study Center, Companies in the sector, etc.) that will be agreed upon during the course. Attending lectures and exercises is strongly recommended.

Please refer to AulaWeb for any updates.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

-introduction to the study of medicinal and aromatic plants: historical evidence, types of drugs obtained from plants, the concept of active principle and phytocomplex; balsamic time.

-features useful for the identification of the main medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP); families of phytotherapeutic interest; hints of pharmacognosy; sites of production and accumulation of secondary metabolites and essential oils in the various plant organs.

-examples of applications in the medicinal/phytotherapeutic field and for culinary and liqueur uses. 

-notes on the cultivation and harvesting of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) and new legislation for MAP in Italy

-the influence of various biotic and abiotic factors on the content and quality of the bioactive compounds of medicinal plants

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The slides used during the lectures and other teaching material (texts and selected scientific papers) will be available on AulaWeb as .pdf files.

Recommended books (available in the library or upon request to the teacher):

-Corbetta F. et al.2001.Piante officinali italiane - il "nuovo Lodi". Edagricole, Bologna

-Leporatti M.L. et al. 2001.Testo atlante di Anatomia Vegetale e delle Piante officinali. Piccin, Padova, 

-Mariotti M. et al. 2018. Come fare...cure e rimedi vegetali. Se Sistemi editoriali.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

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

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written presentation or test followed by an oral discussion.

The exam will focus on the topics and activities carried out during the course and will allow to ascertain the degree of knowledge and mastery of the subject.

Please refer to the AulaWeb specific teaching request for any updates.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of in-depth analysis required for each topic will be provided at the beginning of the course and reiterated during lessons.

Through the written exam (in the form of a presentation or test) and the oral discussion it will be possible to verify the degree of knowledge of the subject. The student must be able to integrate the knowledge acquired during the lectures with the skills acquired following the laboratory activities or didactic visits provided.