99709 - Plants and Nutrition

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires knowledge about plants for food use, in particular those that provide carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins. He also knows the main plant species that produce fragrances, that is, medicinal herbs and spices, and some of those containing specialized metabolites beneficial for human health. He also learns the importance that plants have had for human history, especially in relation to eating habits.

Course contents

Plants in the human diet. Importance of a diet rich in plant foods for the environment. Plants as a source of compounds of nutritional and nutraceutical interest: distinction between primary metabolites and secondary/specialized metabolites and their functions. Plant cell compartments as a source of fiber, reserve polysaccharides, proteins, and functional compounds. The cell wall as a source of soluble and insoluble fiber. The plant vacuole as a compartment that provides prebiotics of plant origin (fructans and Fructo-Oligo-Saccharides (FOS) and specialized metabolites: terpenes, alkaloids, sulfur compounds, phenolic compounds. Plastids as organelles for the accumulation of reserve substances in plants: secondary starch and its composition. Carbohydrate-producing plants: grasses. Plants that produce proteins: legumes and amaranthaceae. Pseudocereals and their role in the diet. Resistant proteins and anti-nutritional compounds in the plant-based diet. Soybeans and products thereof. Phytoestrogens and the main plant sources. Oilseed plants.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographic material with scientific articles published on either Italian or International Journals.

 

Recommended textbook: Piante alimentari -Biologia, composizione chimica, utilizzo - Calogero Rinallo. PICCIN Ed.

Teaching methods

The teaching activity will be done using an approach of Digital Integrative Teaching, which will be based on the recording of lessons.

The lectures will be done using teaching material in the form of Power Point slides.

This material will be made available to students on the Virtual platform. The lectures may be recorded, provided that significant student attendance is guaranteed.

Assessment methods

The assessement of learning occurs only through the final exam, which consists of a written test with 31 multiple choice questions, each counting 1 point.

According to the UniversityTeaching Regulation, students are allowed to refuse a positive grade for two times. 

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

Teaching tools are represented by Power Point slides, and the the lessons will be recorded. The slides will be available for students the day before the lessons, and the recordings of the lesson will be uploaded on Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Fabiana Antognoni