66443 - Biotechnologies of animal Nutrition and of Traditional and Functional Feeds

Learning outcomes

The student will know the basics of nutrition physiology and the structure of the gastrointestinal tract of major livestock species.  Students will learn the concept of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal system (and milk) in terms of its role, structure, composition and development.
Students will gain knowledge of the main molecular techniques for microbiome analysis and study.
Students will learn the main interactions between microbiome and nutrition, with references to food efficiency, nutritional pathologies, dismicrobisms, emissions of pollutants (GHG, nitrogen, etc.)
Students will also be able to perform DNA extraction techniques from different biological matrices, isolation and culture of bacterial strains from biological samples (milk)

Course contents

The structure and metabolic pathways of the gastrointestinal tract of the main species of livestock (cattle, pigs, poultry) are taken back, with reference to the nutritional composition of animal feed.

The concept of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal system is introduced and deepened, in terms of role, structure, composition and development.

References are given regarding the structure of the milk microbiota.

The main molecular techniques of microbiome analysis and study are presented.

The main internal and external factors affecting the microbiome are presented.

The main interactions between microbiome and nutrition are described, with references to food efficiency, nutritional pathologies, dismicrobisms, emissions of pollutants (GHG, nitrogen, etc.).

Various intervention strategies such as organic acids, prebiotics, probiotics, natural antimicrobials, vitamins and minerals for the modulation of microbial conorbium are discussed.

In the practical laboratory activity, the student learns techniques of DNA extraction from different biological matrices, isolation and culture of bacterial strains from biological samples (milk).

Readings/Bibliography

The learning materials consist of slides presented during the lessons updated annually. The material is available to students in the a specific website https://iol.unibo.it/course/.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars in Italian.

Lab training.

Assessment methods

The final test will be conducted with oral interview

Teaching tools

All teaching material is available on-line for download.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Palmonari