Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente - Guida degli insegnamenti (Syllabus)

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COMBINED COURSE ALGAE IN HUMAN NUTRITION - ALGAE IN HUMAN NUTRITION (MODULE)
ALESSANDRA NORICI

Seat Scienze
A.A. 2016/2017
Credits 3
Hours 24
Period 2^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code SM04 W000682

Prerequisites

Knowledge in Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology



Development of the course

Frontal lessons (5 credits, 40 hours) and practical lessons in laboratory (1 credit, 8 hours). During the lectures group discussions on scientific papers previously submitted to class as printed or electronic material, short presentations of students to explore themes that will attract particular interest, numerical exercises, instructions for laboratory practical works will be held.



Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
At the end of the Course, students will know the main algae involved in human nutrition, their biochemical composition, modern biotechnologies for the production and refining of the algal biomass for food use. Students will know also the risks of food contamination by algal biotoxins, the main seafood acting as vectors, and the prevention and control methods.

Ability to apply the knowledge:
Students will be able to propose the best use of algal biomass in food diets, and to evaluate the risk of food contamination by algal biotoxins, avoiding the risk of biointoxications.

Soft Skills:
Performing laboratory analysis, scientific paper discussion in groups and short presentation or brief insights on specific learning objectives of interest, help to improve the students' communication skills, learning and critical abilities in an autonomous and self-guided way.



Program

Main algae used in human nutrition: Porphyra, Laminaria, Undaria, Sprirulina. The importance of algae as food integrators. Biochemical composition and nutritional value of algae: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and minerals (quantity, quality, metabolic regulation). Principles of resource allocation in the organic pools. Algae in food industry: production of alginates, carrageenans and agar. Culturing techniques. Harvesting and processing of micro and macroalgae. Relationship between culture and environmental conditions and quality of algal biomass.
Laboratory (both modules) - Techniques for microalgae cultivation; identification of micro and macroalgae; extraction and determination of photosynthetic pigments.



Development of the examination

Methods for assessing learning outcomes:
The exam consists of an oral interview with at least six questions (three each module). Each question is given a score between zero and thirty. Oral exam grade is calculated as the average of the scores. The exam is passed when the final grade is greater than or equal to 18. 

Criteria for assessing learning outcomes:
The student must demonstrate to know the main algae involved in human nutrition, their biochemical composition, modern biotechnologies for the production and refining of the algal biomass for food use. Students must also demonstrate to know the risks of food contamination by algal biotoxins, the main seafood acting as vectors, and the prevention and control methods.

Criteria for measuring learning outcomes:
The final mark is awarded out of thirty. The exam is passed when the grade is greater than or equal to 18. The highest mark with honors (30 cum laude) is also expected to be awarded.

Criteria for conferring final mark:
The final mark is given by adding the oral exam grade to the grade (up to a maximum of two points) resulting from the class work done during the course. The highest honors are attributed when the score obtained from the previous sum exceeds the value of 30 e when the student has demonstrated full mastery of the subject.



Recommended reading

Bibliography cited in teaching slides and notes during the course.
Manual on Harmful Marine Algae. Hallegraeff G.M., Anderson D.M., Cembella A.D. (Eds.) 2003. UNESCO Publishing, 794 p.



Courses
  • Biologia molecolare e applicata




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