29590 - Diagnostic And Predictive Microbiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is familiar with the application of advanced modelling techniques and analytical investigations and acquires the ability to transfer these skills to real food systems. The student is able to critically apply these analytical approaches in the food industry

Course contents

Definitions, aims and development of predictive microbiology. Possible applications

Matematical models and microbial kinetics: empirical and mechanicistical models

Strategies for the acquisition of data: traditional techniques and innovative methods.

Primary models: growth microbial curves over time. Gompertz equation, Baranyi model, logistic equation. Death microbial curves: from the linear Bigelow model ti the description of non linear kinetics (loglinear models, Weibull equation and rate models for changing temperature).

Secundary models: Ratkowski equation. Experimental designs for the evaluation of the combined effects of different variables on microbial growth parameters and microbial metabolims. Polynomial equations

Tertiary models: applicative softwares for predictive microbiology and databases:: Pathogen Modelling Program, COMbase

Probabilistic models: from chi-squared to loglinear models. Logit equation.

Future perspective: supervised and unsupervised methods

Application of predictive microbiology in food research and industry. 1. Evaluation of the effects of antimicrobials: the case of aroma compounds. Influence on the growth performance of microorganisms and on their death kinetics when associated with a thermal treatment. Advantages and critical points. 2. Study of the factors affecting biogenic amine production in foods. The case of fermented products. Experimental designs used to exploid decarboxylase activity in vitro and in vivo. 3. Spoilage of acid food. Traditional and innovative strategies to stabilize fruit based product. Evaluation of shelf life.

Readings/Bibliography

Specialistic monographies on the main subjects

Manuale di Microbiologia Predittiva (a cura di F. Gardini ed E. Parente). Springer Italia 2013

Teaching methods

Lectures

Specialistic seminars

Practical training lessons

Assessment methods

The verification of the learning level consists in a final oral test based on three questions. The first argument is chosen by the student. The second argument concerns a specific topic of the course. The third question is aimed to verify the overall mindset and skills acquired by the student and the capacity to elaborate transversal connection between the topics considered. The final grade is defined by the arithmetic average of the evaluation of the three arguments.

Complete knowledge of the lesson arguments, the ability to establish critical analyses between the topics of the course and their connections and mastery in microbiological terminology will result in excellence (30-30L).

Knowledge of lesson arguments, autonomous critical approach, capacity of discussing the links between the lesson topics and correct use of terminology will result in high evaluation (25-29).

Knowledge of a limited number of lesson arguments and critical analysis not always autonomous, formally correct terminology will correspond to discrete evaluations (20-24)

Knowledge of lesson arguments limited in number and/or in contents, critical analysis not autonomous with weak knowledge of terminology will results in sufficient evaluation (18-19)

Teaching tools

Slides of the lessons

Office hours

See the website of Fausto Gardini