90024 - Pollutant Organic Compounds and Fundamentals of Microbiology for Depollution t

Learning outcomes

Expected knowledge and skills: Upon completion of the course, students will understand the structure and nomenclature, reactivity, and industrial relevance of major organic chemical compounds, including those responsible for air, water, and soil pollution. Students will be familiar with the main biological constituents of microbial cells of environmental and industrial interest, the fundamental aspects of their physiology, and strategies for their cultivation and use in bioremediation settings. They will also be familiar with the basics of microbial ecology in terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Course contents

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Introduction to Organic Chemistry and its relevance to industry (chemical, pharmaceutical, and bioindustry) and the environment.

The formulas of organic compounds and their graphical representation.

The classification of organic compounds. Common nomenclatures and the IUPAC rational nomenclature of organic compounds.

Isomerism in Organic Chemistry: structural isomerism and stereoisomerism; the R, S, and E, Z nomenclatures.

Organic reactions and their classifications. Review of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. The mechanism of organic reactions: general principles and thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. Inductive, resonance, and steric effects.

Structure, nomenclature, physical properties, preparation and reactivity of the main organic compounds of major industrial and environmental relevance, including: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated organic compounds, alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids (and their derivatives) and amines (and their derivatives).

Main industrial organic compounds occurring in the environment: their sources, fate and impacts on the terrestrial and marine ecosystems.  

MICROBIOLOGY

Structure of living matter: the most important biomolecules, their structure and their role within the cell. Basics of bioenergetics and metabolism.

Enzymes: their function, classification and nomenclature. The mechanism of enzymatic reactions, reaction rate and factors influencing it. Mechanisms of inhibition and regulation of enzymes.

Structure of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: the main subcellular structures and their biological role. Cell replication. Mentions of virology and mycology.

Basics of molecular biology: DNA replication, transcription and translation. The genetic code. Taxonomy and phylogeny.

Nutritional needs of microorganisms and microbial growth. Natural, synthetic, rich and minimal, liquid and solid culture media for cultivating microorganisms of environmental interest. Mixed cultures, co-cultures and pure cultures and biochemical, microbiological and molecular methods for their characterization. Isolation and preservation of microbial cultures. Growth kinetics.

Basics of microbial ecology and introduction to bioremediation.

Readings/Bibliography

Organic Chemistry:

J. McMurray - Fondamenti di Chimica Organica - Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna.

In general, any universitary book dedicated to the organic chemistry subject can be utilized.

Microbiologia:

Madigan MT, Bender KS, Stahl DA, Sattley WM. Brock - Biologia dei microrganismi. Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale. Pearson.

Nelson DL, Cox MM. I principi di biochimica di Lehninger. Zanichelli. (o qualunque testo universitario di biochimica)

Teaching methods

the Course consists of 60 hours of class lectures.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a two-hour written test. Six questions will be asked on the topics covered in class, three of which will concern the organic chemistry section and three of which will concern the microbiology section. Each section will be awarded a maximum score of 30 points, and the final grade will be the average of the scores obtained in the two sections.

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

Class lectures will be supported by power point presentations which will be then made available on the virtual platform related to the course. 

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Fava

See the website of Elena Biagi