94189 - Applied Nutraceutical

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the basic elements on the biochemical role and the mechanism of action at the cellular, molecular, metabolic, genetic and epigenetic level of the nutraceutical components contained in food. - will be able to understand the rationale for using the main nutraceuticals in the protection / prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. - is able to communicate the optimal use of nutraceuticals within the framework of the guidelines for proper nutrition.

Course contents

The course addresses the role of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional foods, and food-derived bioactive compounds in maintaining health and preventing major chronic-degenerative diseases.

The following topics will be covered:

• Definition and classification of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional foods, and bioactive compounds present in foods. Regulatory aspects, labelling, indications for use, safety, rationale for use, and distinction between food, supplement, and drug.

• The role of nutraceuticals in the context of ageing, health span promotion, and prevention of chronic-degenerative diseases. The relationship between diet, lifestyle, redox status, inflammation, metabolism, and health will be discussed.

• Oxidative stress and antioxidant defence systems. Formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defences, the role of oxidative stress in pathophysiological processes, and the concept of hormesis.

• Mechanisms of action of nutraceuticals. The course will move beyond the view of nutraceuticals as simple direct antioxidants, exploring their role in the modulation of cellular signalling pathways, gene expression, inflammatory responses, cytoprotective defences, cellular metabolism, the gut microbiota, and epigenetics. Particular attention will be devoted to the Nrf2/ARE pathway and to cellular mechanisms of adaptation to stress.

• Main classes of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds: polyphenols and flavonoids, stilbenes, curcuminoids, alkaloids, organosulfur compounds, phytosterols, and carotenoids. For each class, food sources, chemical structure, bioavailability, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and experimental and clinical evidence will be considered.

• Nutraceuticals and environmental sustainability. The course will address the valorisation of agro-food waste and by-products as sources of bioactive compounds, in relation to sustainable development goals, food waste reduction, and the circular economy.

• Applications of nutraceuticals in prevention and nutritional support in conditions associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Examples related to cardioprotection, neuroprotection, cancer prevention, and modulation of cardio-metabolic risk will be explored.

• Strategies to increase the bioavailability of nutraceuticals. The main limitations related to solubility, stability, absorption, and metabolism of bioactive compounds will be discussed, together with innovative formulation strategies, including nutritional nanotechnologies, encapsulation systems, lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, silica nanoparticles, and exosomes.

During the course, examples of experimental and clinical studies will also be analysed, with particular attention to the critical evaluation of scientific evidence, safety of use, limitations in the translation from preclinical studies to humans, and the appropriate communication of the role of nutraceuticals within a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes in the form of a pdf file and scientific papers.

Nutraceuticals: Efficacy, Safety and Toxicity. Ramesh C. Gupta, Academic Press 2021

Selected paper published on Scientific Journals

Teaching methods

The course will be delivered through lectures, supported by PowerPoint presentations to enhance comprehension of the topics covered.

To facilitate learning and further study, the following educational materials will be made available on the virtual learning platform:

• PDF presentations, specifically prepared by the instructor, containing explanatory text and provided both before and during the lectures.
• Scientific articles from open-access journals, offering up-to-date evidence to supplement course content.
• Recorded video lectures using the Panopto system, accessible after each session and available throughout the Academic Year on the virtual platform.

In particular, the use of the lessons in asynchronous mode will allow students to prepare themselves for the exam, possibly with the remote supervision of the teacher.

Assessment methods

The examination at the end of the course aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives:
- to know the main nutraceuticals in food and mechanism of action
- to know the role of nutraceutical compounds in the prevention of chronic/degenerative diseases

- to know the rationale and evidence to use nutraceuticals, and to correctly communicate their use

The final exam consists of a written test structured into two sections:

1. Multiple-choice questions: The test includes 19 questions, each with four answer options, only one of which is correct. Each correct answer is worth 1 point, while incorrect or unanswered questions do not incur penalties.

2. Open-ended questions: There are 2 open-ended questions, each graded on a scale from 0 to 6 points, based on the completeness, accuracy, and depth of the response.

The final score of the written test, expressed in thirtieths (out of 30), is determined by summing the points obtained from the multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

Optional Task – Nutraceutical Intervention Plan

In addition to the written exam, students may choose to complete an optional task, which involves designing a nutraceutical intervention plan aimed at maintaining the health status of a model subject assigned by the professor. This task will be evaluated on a scale of 0 to 2 points, which will be added to the final written exam score.

 

The maximum possible score, considering both the written test and the optional task, is 33/30, allowing for the possible awarding of honors (lode) if the total score exceeds 30/30.

 

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study through in-depth insights, summaries, and self-assessment pathways. With regard to the assessment of learning, only the optional assignment includes a component that substantially involves the use of AI, together with a mandatory critical analysis section.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

To support learning, updated teaching materials will be made available to students on the Virtuale platform, including:

• PDF presentations prepared by the lecturer, containing diagrams, figures, tables, explanatory texts, and bibliographic references;
• open access scientific articles and supplementary documents useful for integrating course content with up-to-date evidence;
• video recordings of lectures made available through Panopto after the classes and accessible throughout the academic year;
• self-assessment and exam preparation materials, including possible examples of questions, case studies, and discussion prompts.

The Virtuale platform will serve as the main space for sharing teaching materials, communication between lecturer and students, access to lecture recordings, and the possible implementation of supplementary or in-depth learning activities.

Office hours

See the website of Cristina Angeloni