The course aims to provide the student with the basic biochemical and nutritional elements for understanding the role of nutrients contained in foods commonly used in human nutrition. It also intends to provide the basis for understanding the main nutritional-based metabolic dysfunctions.

Practical laboratory exercises will include the determination of flavonoids and polyphenols in plant extracts.

The student is expected to have a solid foundation in Biochemistry and Physiology, particularly in the chemistry and classification of the main nutritional molecules (Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Proteins), their metabolism, and the processes of digestion and absorption of macronutrients and micronutrients.

There are no formal prerequisites; however, it is strongly recommended that the student has already completed:

Medical Biochemistry

Nutrition Physiology

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

In order to pass this course, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired knowledge about:

-composition, nutritional value and biochemical significance of foods;

-interactions between food components major and minor (macronutrients, vitamins, phytochemicals, oligonutrients, fibers, etc.);

-relationship between diet, nutrition and health, based on an understanding of the specific metabolic role of the different classes of nutrients and bioactive compounds present in foods.

D2-APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The student must demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and theories provided by the course.

D3-MAKING JUDGEMENTS

The student must demonstrate that he must be able to:

-transfer to scientific contexts the theoretical information acquired in the course, in order to get useful goods and services;

-valorize food containing bioactive compounds designed to prevent diseases of high social impact typical of industrialized countries;

-analyze, discuss and perform simple correlations of data or assumptions.

D4-COMMUNICATION

In order to play a proper nutritional information the student must demonstrate the ability to:

-use a proper and specific language and also the knowledge to support interdisciplinary arguments

-discuss and communicate the effects of metabolic factors on food quality and safety and their impact on health.

D5-LIFELONG LEARNING SKILLS

The student must be able to consult and understand scientific texts, bibliographic updates, current normative, in order to employ them in unusual contexts for the profession and for research. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material prepared by the teacher in addition to the recommended texts can be found on the Moodle platform

Teaching

Frontal lessons

The teaching will be integrated with international scientific publications on topics of particular interest in the field of teaching.

Innovative teaching methods

Attendance

Attendance at lessons is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

Recommended texts to choose from:

U.LEUZZI, E. BELLOCCO, D.BARRECA, Biochimica della Nutrizione. Zanichelli Editore, 2013.

G.ARIENTI, le basi molecolari della nutrizione. PICCIN editore 2016.

Assessment

The learning outcomes will be ascertained through an oral interview; the choice of this method of assessment is considered by the teacher the most suitable for evaluating the knowledge acquired and the student's ability to analyze the assimilated concepts in a logical and critical way. The oral interview will have an average duration of about 30 minutes and will begin with a topic chosen by the student, followed by further questions that will focus on topics covered in the course to verify the level of knowledge achieved by the student in relation to the objectives. formative previously indicated. Particular emphasis will be given both to the exhibition skills in terms of appropriate terminology and to the logical skills. The evaluation is expressed out of thirty and for the determination of the grade the teacher will take into account: knowledge of the topics, exposure, reasoning ability and connection between metabolic processes

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students will have the same teaching material as attending students (slides and additional teaching material) available in order to achieve the objectives of the course

Course books

Recommended texts to choose from:

U.LEUZZI, E. BELLOCCO, D.BARRECA, Biochimica della Nutrizione. Zanichelli Editore, 2013.

G.ARIENTI, le basi molecolari della nutrizione. PICCIN editore 2016.

Assessment

The learning outcomes will be ascertained through an oral interview; the choice of this method of assessment is considered by the teacher the most suitable for evaluating the knowledge acquired and the student's ability to analyze the assimilated concepts in a logical and critical way. The oral interview will have an average duration of about 30 minutes and will begin with a topic chosen by the student, followed by further questions that will focus on topics covered in the course to verify the level of knowledge achieved by the student in relation to the objectives. formative previously indicated. Particular emphasis will be given both to the exhibition skills in terms of appropriate terminology and to the logical skills. The evaluation is expressed out of thirty and for the determination of the grade the teacher will take into account: knowledge of the topics, exposure, reasoning ability and connection between metabolic processes

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.