31865 - Extraction of Phyto-derivatives I

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (cod. 8518)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the basics of extracting active ingredients from all possible fresh and dried plant matrices, such as leaves, flowers, wood, roots, and seeds. Additionally, the student is able to select the extraction method to enrich the class of active ingredients of interest through single-seat laboratory exercises.

Course contents

EXTRACTION OF PHYTO-DERIVATIVES I - BASIC TECHNIQUES

Basic Principles:

Safety concepts in the chemical laboratory. Common instruments and glassware used in the chemistry lab. Cooling and heating of mixtures. Stirring methods. Solvents. Isolation and purification techniques (Filtration, Solvent Evaporation, Drying, etc.).

Classical Extraction Techniques:

Collection, selection, and cleaning. Physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment. Extraction theory. Mechanical extraction (pressing, centrifugation). Hot and cold solvent extraction (Maceration, Percolation, Digestion, Infusion, Decoction, Countercurrent Extraction).

Readings/Bibliography

Morelli, Flamini, Pistelli. MANUALE DELL?ERBORISTA. BIOSINTESI, ESTRAZIONE E IDENTIFICAZIONE DELLE SOSTANZE DI ORIGINE VEGETALE. Tecniche Nuove

D'Ischia. LA CHIMICA ORGANICA IN LABORATORIO. Piccin

Teaching methods

Theoretical lessons and single-seat laboratory exercises.

Considering the types of activities involved and the teaching methods adopted, participation in this training activity requires all students—including incoming international students, such as Erasmus students—to complete the General Training Course (Module 1) and the High-Risk Training Course (Module 3) via E-Learning, available on the following webpage:

[https://site.unibo.it/tutela-promozione-salute-sicurezza/en/training/students-general-and-specific-training]

Assessment methods

Assessment begins with a PowerPoint presentation of a short report on a laboratory experiment selected by the student and continues with an oral examination designed to assess the acquisition of the knowledge and skills defined by the learning objectives of the course.

For the preparation of the report, a limited, declared, and non-substantive use of artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted for support activities such as summarization and rephrasing. The use of AI during the examination is not permitted.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint/PDF slides and analytical chemistry laboratory equipments.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Falchi