82298 - Bio-Technological Valorisation Of Agro-Industrial Waste And By-Products

Learning outcomes

The main objective of the course is to provide the fundamental knowledge on the management of agro-food waste and by-products through technological and biotechnological approaches, which allow their valorisation. Specific case studies will be presented to demonstrate how the application of selected and optimized biotechnological and technological processes can lead to the production of new materials/ingredients/molecules with high added value, new or conventional, at reduced cost, which can be applied in the same production sector or in different supply chains (energy, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc.). At the same time, these tools can be used for the prevention, minimization and management of waste and by-products, in accordance with the EU and national regulations, as well as for the reduction of disposal costs and environmental impact.

Course contents

The Module 1 (Gottardi D.) aims to provide fundamental knowledge on the use of microorganisms for the valorization of waste and by-products from the agri-food industry.

The program will cover the following topics:

• Agri-industrial waste and by-products as innovative substrates for biotechnological processes based on microorganisms;
• Examples of biotechnological processes for the production of microbial proteins (SCP), lipids (SCO), organic acids, flavors, pigments, enzymes, and biopolymers;
• Case studies on the use of safe and selected microorganisms for the valorization of by-products from the fish, plant, dairy, milling, and baking industries.

Module 2 (Romani S.): the main purpose is to provide knowledge on aspects of food waste management, valorization, and sustainability in the agro-food industry sectors. Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC (DLgs 205/2010). Emphasis is given on the classification of food waste sources, the identification of the target compounds, and potential applications in each case. Moreover the course aims to provide the principles of the “Universal Recovery Strategy”, which takes into account all the necessary aspects (e.g. substrate collection and deterioration, yield optimization, preservation of target compound functionality during processing, etc.) needed for the development of a recovery process. Description of the five-stages recovery approach (macroscopic pretreatment, macro- and micromolecules separation, extraction, purification and isolation, and product formation). Fundamental principles and applications of different conventional and emerging technologies that can be used for the recovery of valuable compounds from food wastes/by-products in each of the aforementioned five stages. Implementation aspects and potential applications of recovered materials. Examples of commercial products and industrial applications and case studies.

Readings/Bibliography

Lectures notes and updated selected papers that will be supplied by the teacher.

Reference books and scientific papers for a detailed study:

- “Food Waste to Valuable Resources - Applications and Management” Ed. Rajesh Banu, Gopalakrishnan Kumar, Gunasekaran M., Kavitha S. Academic press Elsevier, (2020).

- "Food Waste Recovery. Processing Technologies and Industrial Techniques”. Ed. Charis M. Galanakis, Academic press Elsevier, (2015).

- “Valorization of Food Processing By-Products”. Ed. M. Chandrasekaran, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group (2013).

- Galanakis, C.M. “Emerging technologies for the production of nutraceuticals from agricultural by-products: A viewpoint of opportunities and challenges” (Review), Food and Bioproducts Processing, 91:4, pp 575-579, 2013.

- Galanakis, C.M. “Recovery of high added-value components from food wastes: Conventional, emerging technologies and commercialized applications” (Review), Trends in Food Science and Technology, 26:2, pp 68-87, 2012.

Teaching methods

Lectures, guided tours and seminars will be held. The latter will be carried out by industry experts and academic colleagues from other universities.

Assessment methods

The final assessment consists of a written exam covering both modules. The exam will include a combination of multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions.

Details:

• Module 1: 9 multiple-choice questions (2 points each) + 1 open-ended question (up to 14 points)

• Module 2: 8 multiple-choice questions (3 points each) +2 open-ended questions (4 points each)

Duration: 90 minutes

The exam is designed to assess and verify the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the entire course.

The final score for the course (Module 1 + Module 2) is calculated as a weighted average of the grades obtained in the two modules. Prof. Davide Gottardi will record the final grade in AlmaEsami.

Grades will be officially recorded on the dates set and published in AlmaEsami. Students will have the opportunity to review their completed exam and request clarification if needed.

The student knowledge will be assessed based on the following criteria: i) knowledge, comprehension, and discussion capability of the subjects ii) critical and communication capability; iii) use of the proper technical and scientific language. The maximum score can be 30 eventually cum laude.

The enrollment must be accomplished through ALMAESAMI as well as the cancellation, which must be done before the starting date of the exam session.

Eligible students can agree with the professors an eventual exam out of the official calendar.

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

Computer and interactive dashboard. Laboratory tools and instruments. All the materials presented in class by the teachers will be available in electronic format via Virtuale platform [https://virtuale.unibo.it] (access reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna).

Office hours

See the website of Davide Gottardi

See the website of Santina Romani