36619 - Toxicology of Residues in Food-Producing Animals and their Products

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Docente: Paola Roncada
  • Credits: 4
  • SSD: VET/07
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Safety And Quality In Animal Production (cod. 5728)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires general knowledge of pharmacotoxicokinetics in relation to the permanence of residues in animal productions, and knowledge of the main toxicological risks determined by the presence of drug residues and toxic to humans. In particular, the student is able to: - know and evaluate the main pharmacokinetic parameters; - draw up an experimental protocol for the determination of the suspension time; - know the basic principles, both theoretical and practical, of the analytical methods of screening and confirmation provided by the National Residues Plan. The course is part of an integrated course whose final objective is to allow the student to acquire knowledge and skills regarding the safety of food of animal origin both in terms of legislative and toxicological aspects. The student at the end of the course is able, independently, to address the issues and apply the knowledge acquired regarding the main mandatory and voluntary standards relating to safety, quality, traceability and labeling of food of animal origin.

Course contents

General concepts of pharmacology and toxicology. Principles of kinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination) and residues of xenobiotics in animal productions. Effects of the presence of residues on human health. Italian and European legislation relating to residues. Definition of ADI, NOEL, MRL and withdrawal period. National Residue Plan. Main classes of drugs used in breeding. Theoretical concepts (with practical application) related to clean-up and analytical methods for analysis of xenobiotics.

Readings/Bibliography

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 of 26 June 1990 laying down a Community procedure for the establishment of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin

Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 laying down Community procedures for the establishment of residue limits of pharmacologically active substances in foodstuffs of animal origin

Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 of 22 December 2009 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin

PIANO NAZIONALE PER LA RICERCA DEI RESIDUI ANNO 2020

Teaching methods

Within the limits of the safety rules, from September 2020 the students will be able to follow the lessons in the classrooms or remotely, therefore the lessons will be in "blended" mode. Discussion with the students of the topics covered.

If possible, practical laboratory tests will be carried out for the analysis in HPLC of drugs in animal matrices.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral test aimed at verifying the acquisition of the knowledge foreseen by the program of the course. The exam consists of at least three questions: one related to the general part, one related to the "residuals" problem and one about drugs or toxic substances treated during the course.

The exam consists of a first question chosen by the student. Two other questions will subsequently be asked, one concerning the problem of drug residues and contaminants in OA foods and another on the general part relating to the kinetics of drugs and contaminants. The questions aim to assess, in addition to the student's preparation, reasoning skills. In particular:
- A very thorough knowledge, together with high skills of critical analysis, and a correct terminology will be evaluated with the maximum score (30-30L).
- A thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course, together with good reasoning skills and a mastery of specific terminology will be evaluated with good grades (27-29).
- A technically adequate preparation and a sufficient analytical capacity, even if not particularly articulated, expressed in correct language, will produce fair evaluations (23-26).
- Sufficient preparation and reasoning skills, expressed in just correct language, will determine sufficiency (18-22).
The teaching "Toxicology of residues in food of animal origin" is part of the integrated course "Safety of food of animal origin" together with the course "Certification and traceability of food of animal origin". Therefore the final grade will be calculated as a weighted average of the grades of the individual courses.

Teaching tools

Laboratory tests and practical experience for analysis of drug residues in tissues of animal origin.

Office hours

See the website of Paola Roncada

SDGs

Good health and well-being

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.