Study-unit FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY
| Course name | Food science and technology |
|---|---|
| Study-unit Code | 80053506 |
| Curriculum | Viticoltura e enologia |
| Lecturer | Daniele Del Buono |
| Lecturers |
|
| Hours |
|
| CFU | 6 |
| Course Regulation | Coorte 2023 |
| Supplied | 2024/25 |
| Supplied other course regulation | |
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Sector | AGR/13 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Type of learning activities | Attività formativa monodisciplinare |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | “Agricultural Chemistry” is a discipline that targets both the soil and the plant, as considered to be part of a unitary system that aims to optimize the characteristics of one according to the needs of the other. The course setting is aimed at achieving this goal. In the plant part, emphasis is placed on the main metabolic processes that take place in it (photosynthesis, C metabolism, lipid and nitrogen metabolism), thus providing students with the basics to be able, in subsequent courses, to understand the nature of the nutritional, water and environmental requirements of the plant and, on the basis of possible anomalies, to carry out agronomical practices that can correct them. In the soil part, emphasis is placed on the genesis and chemical composition of its constituents, on the colloidal properties, on the element retention power, soil pH and buffer strength. Finally, factors affecting soil fertility are examined, trying to suggest methods that can minimize any criticality. |
| Reference texts | R. PINTON et al. (Coordinatori). Fondamenti di biochimica agraria. Patron Editore Bologna, 2016. LEHNINGER (by Nelson and Cox). Principles of Biochemistry. Freeman and company, New York. M. BUSINELLI. Chimica del Suolo. Morlacchi editore, Perugia, 2009. P. SEQUI, C. CIAVATTA, T. MIANO. Fondamenti di Chimica del Suolo. Patron Editore, 2017. K. TAN Principles of soil chemistry. CRC Press, Boca Raton, London, New York, 2010. SLIDES in UNISTUDIUM "Chimica Agraria" SAA |
| Educational objectives | The main objective of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge of Agricultural Chemistry, a discipline that covers both the soil and the plant as considered part of a unitary system, and which aims to optimize the characteristics of the one in function of the needs of the other. The main acquisitions will cover: 1. the biological and biochemical context in which each molecule, reaction or metabolic pathway is located. 2. the role of enzymes as catalysts of reactions in living organisms. 3. the chemical aspects of photosynthesis in different plant species. 4. the chemical aspects of the main anabolic and catabolic processes of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. 5. the role of ATP as a source of energy for metabolic processes 6. the importance of coupled reactions for carrying out endoergonic processes in living organisms. 7. the chemical assimilation mechanisms of elements necessary for plant development and metabolism. 8. the soil as a substrate for plant growth. 9. the role of soil colloids as fertility factors. 10. the soil retention power for nutrients. 11. the soil ability to retain pollutants by avoiding groundwater contamination. 12. the soil resource control in agronomic and environmental field. 13. the relationships between soil and plant. 14. the pH role in conditioning soil nutritional characteristics. 15. the soil buffering ability. The main skills (i.e. the ability to apply acquired knowledge) will be: - to be able to use a scientific method of investigation, also in relation to application problems. - to be capable and convincing in exposing their own professional assessments. - to be able to carry out professional advice concerning fertility and the vulnerability of the soil pollutants. |
| Prerequisites | To understand the main aspects of this course, the students must have successfully passed the Chemistry course (first year). In particular, the students should be able to apply the basic concepts of inorganic chemistry and recognize the principal functional groups of organic molecules to understand better their reactivity in a cellular context. |
| Teaching methods | The course will be organized in: - classroom teaching aimed at developing theoretical skills; - classroom exercises in order to determine the amounts of energy changes associated with reactions in the cells and the evaluations of energy balances related to carbohydrates and lipids metabolism; - Laboratory experiments aimed to estimate the content of plant pigments and proteins and determine the activity of some enzymes. |
| Other information | Prof. Daniela Businelli Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, DSA3. Agricultural Chemistry Research Unit. Location: New building, ground floor, to the right of the front door. Tel. 075/5856228 E-mail daniela.businelli@unipg.it Receipt by appointment, the request should be sent via e-mail. It is also possible to send questions and receive answers by e-mail. Schedule and lesson time: link to the DSA3 website http://dsa3.unipg.it/didattica/informazioni-per-studenti/ Clipboard, lesson slides and course information are available on the UNISTUDIUM. https: //www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/ Attendance: Optional, but strongly recommended. |
| Learning verification modality | The exam is an individual oral test, before which the student is given a pen and papers, where he will write chemical reactions, graphics and everything he thinks fit to expose the subject. The test consists on an interview, of about 20-40 minutes long, aiming to ascertain the knowledge level and the understanding capability acquired by the student on theoretical contents and practical applications as indicated on the course program (i.e. enzymology, photosynthesis, metabolism, lipids, nitrogen cycle, pedogenesis, colloids, soil retention capacity, pH and buffering capacity of the soil). A student may also choose to be examined only on one of the two parts (plant or soil only), completing the test in the following examination dates. The partial test passed has no deadline. The oral test will also verify the student's communication skills and his autonomy in the organization and exposure of topics. For information on support services for students with disabilities and / or DSA visit the web page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Extended program | Agricultural chemistry- Plant: Entalpy and entropy. Free energy. Redox potentials. Activation energy. Coupled reactions. Absorption energy and molecular excitation. Enzimology. Photosynthesis. Carbohydrate biosynthesis. Fermentation and respiration processes. Lipid metabolism. Nitrogen cycle. Biochemical bases of plant nutrition. Agricultural chemistry- Soil: Soil genesis. The role of hydrosphere, atmosphere and litosphere. Soil carbonates. Soil silicates: structural classification. Weathering and soil development. Genesis of organic fraction. Soil redox potential. Soil colloids. Clays: structural characteristics, properties and development of charge. Soil humus: extraction, fractionation and chemical composition. Oxides and hydroxydes. Soil retention capacity. Reactions of phosphates in soil. Soil pH and buffering capacity. Principles of plant nutrition. Laboratory practical classes. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | Obiettivi: 2 (Fame zero), 3 (Salute e benessere), 15 (la vita sulla terra) |