85327 - BASI BIOCHIMICHE DELLA QUALITÀ DEI PRODOTTI ITTICI

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired the basic cognitive tools regarding the factors that determine the quality of fish products. In particular, the student will acquire the molecular bases  determining a quality fish product, from the influence of the environment, to clinical biomarkers to assess the health of the organisms, to the biomolecules that make up the edible part of them, with particular regard to proteins and lipids.

Course contents

The course is part of the integrated course  "Sensi e strumenti per la qualità dei prodotti ittici". The course intends to highlight that a quality product derives from a healthy environment, and from farming practices that respect the environment, animal and human health, in the broader framework of "One Health".

Topics: Model orgnanisms used for environmental sutdies, the genome of zebrafish. Molecular responses to environmental pollutants: classification, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of pollutants; environmental biomarkers.Essential and non essential trace metals in aquatic vertebrates, with particular emphasis on molluscs and fish. Molecular responses to Cu and Cd. Clinical parametrs to evaluate health status in fish.

Biochemistry applied to foods obtained from fish products: fish as a nourishment. Myofibrillary, stromal, myoglobin, hemoglobin and emocyanin proteins. Lipids in fish: digestion and absorption. Essential fatty acids and production of eicosanoids. Catabolism of fatty acids. Trace elements and their role in metabolism. 

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material can be found at the specific course website: Virtuale (unibo.it) [https://virtuale.unibo.it/]

Teaching methods

The course includes 30 hours of lectures. The students connected remotely will be guaranteed the possibility to watch all the teaching activities live. Lessons will be interspersed with "questioning" sessions to verify learning. Some topics will be addressed with a "problem oriented" approach. Subject to agreement with the students, a topic can be deepened by means of group work which will be followed by the presentation of the work carried out by the students through a short presentation.
Although attendance is not compulsory, it is advisable to attend the lessons assiduously in order to better appreciate the training and interaction with the classmates and the teacher.

Students with special needs are invited to contact the teacher by e-mail to illustrate them and to organize teaching and examinations in the most suitable way.

Assessment methods

1) Student evaluation

The class is part of an Integrated Course. The final score of the exam is based on the synthesis of the evaluations of the classes of the integrated course. The final mark will be proportional to the CFU of each teaching course and will be registered by Anna Badiani.

The aim of the examination test is to assess the acquisition of the expected knowledge according to the course programme and its use in problem solving. Particular attention is paid to the student's ability to establish links between the various parts of the program and to present using language appropriate to the subject. The maximum score obtainable is 30 cum laude.

The examination is oral. Students are given the opportunity to take an intermediate self-assessment test concerning the part related to the biochemistry of the environment.

Evaluation: The final grade refers to the achievement of educational objectives:

- preparation concerning a limited number of fundamental topics and ability to analyze that emerges only with the help of the teacher, overall correct language: 18-20;

- preparation on a limited number of fundamental topics covered in the course and ability to analyze the fundamental issues of metabolism and transmission of information, correct language: 21-24;

- preparation on a large number of topics, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology: 25-29;

- comprehensive preparation on all topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis, deep knowledge of specific terminology: 30-30L.

Please note, however, that in contingent situations for Covid-19, the modalities of the final examination may be subjected to variations.

Students wishing to take the exam in English should inform the teacher by e-mail at least two days before.

2) Exam reservation and dates of exam sessions

Students can make a reservation of the exam at: (https://almaesami.unibo.it/almaesami/welcome.htm ).

Studends can take the exam at fixed dates within specific periods of the academic year. Student who fails the exam may take it again three weeks after the previous attempt.

Teaching tools

Videos and virtual laboratories. 

During the lessons selected digital tools will be used to support and integrate lectures, e.g. specific apps (Kahoot!) for conducting surveys and questioning sessions.

Students with special needs are invited to contact the teacher by e-mail to illustrate them and to organize teaching and examinations in the most suitable way.

Office hours

See the website of Gloria Isani