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

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires general knowledge of kinetics in relation to the permanence of residues of drugs and toxicants in animal productions, and knowledge concerning the main toxicological risks to humans produced by the presence of drug or toxicants residues to humans. Moreover, the student knows the EU and Italian regulations concerning the use of veterinary medicines in animals and the derived presence of drug residues in food of animal origin. In particular, the student is able to: - know and evaluate the main kinetics parameters; - draw up an experimental protocol for the determination of the withdraval time; - know the basic principles, both theoretical and practical, of the analytical methods of screening and confirmation provided by the National Residue Plan and other control Plans.

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. Finally, the student should be able to: - make the link between different but allied subject matter; - demonstrate a reasoned, critical approach to the subject matter rather than rote-learned knowledge, and - discuss the course topics.

Course contents

General concepts of pharmacology and toxicology. Principles of kinetics (ADME, absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination) and residues of xenobiotics in animal productions. Mentions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Definition, typology and classification of residues. Modes and causes of residue formation. Factors influencing the formation and the presence of residues. Main categories of drugs or toxicants to which farmed animals may be exposed. Effects caused by the presence of residues of drugs or toxicants on human health. Italian and European legislation relating to residues. Definition of ADI, NOEL, MRL and withdrawal period. National Residue Plan or other control Plans. Theoretical concepts (with practical application) related to clean-up and analytical methods for analysis of xenobiotics.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material comprises a list of recommended texts, the main EU and Italian Regulations, course notes and material (slides) made available to students through the website https://virtuale.unibo.it .

The following texts are especially recommended:

Belloli C., Carli S., Ormas P., Farmacologia Veterinaria, Idelson-Gnocchi, Napoli, 2021

Nebbia C., Residui di farmaci e contaminanti ambientali nelle produzioni animali, EdiSES, Napoli, 2009

Intorre L., Meucci V., Tossicologia Veterinaria, Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli, 2023

For consultation:

REGOLAMENTO (UE) 2019/6 DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO E DEL CONSIGLIO dell’11 dicembre 2018 // Decreto legislativo 7 dicembre 2023/218 (entrato in vigore il 18/01/2024)

REGOLAMENTO (CE) N. 470/2009 DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO E DEL CONSIGLIO del 6 maggio 2009 che stabilisce procedure comunitarie per la determinazione di limiti di residui di sostanze farmacologicamente attive negli alimenti di origine animale

REGOLAMENTO (UE) N. 37/2010 DELLA COMMISSIONE

del 22 dicembre 2009 concernente le sostanze farmacologicamente attive e la loro classificazione per quanto riguarda i limiti massimi di residui negli alimenti di origine animale

Dir. 96/23 Piani di sorveglianza per ricerca di residui/sostanze (PNR)

Dir. 2008/97 Divieto d’uso di sostanze negli animali da produzione

Dir. 96/22 Divieto d’uso di anabolizzanti

Teaching methods

The Course will be held by Professor Anna Zaghini (responsible of the course of Toxicology of residues in food-producing animals and their products).

Classroom lessons are intended to encourage close interaction between teacher and students with the aim of prompting the class to appreciate the links between the various matters dealt with and stimulate a critical reasoned approach. During frontal lessons the lecturer will show slides to support the oral presentation. Students may ask the lecturer questions regarding the topic being presented.

The teaching may involve postgraduate research staff of the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences. During the Course, several lectures might be organized with the collaboration of external teachers being experts on specific subjects.

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

Assessment methods

The end-of-Course examination od Toxicology of residues in food-producing animals and their production will be an oral test. The oral examination will assess whether the student has acquired the knowledge and know-how detailed in the Course objectives.

The student will be considered to have passed the oral examination if he/she replies correctly to three key questions on the general section of the course, on the concept of “residues” of drugs or toxicants, and on drugs or toxicants classes considered during the course.

The student’s knowledge with be assessed with further questions regarding specific aspects of the three broad topics mentioned above.

It is essential that the candidate have a thorough knowledge of the subject matter of the Courses taken in previous years.

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

Video player to show power point slides. When possible, laboratory tests and practical experience for analysis of drug residues in tissues of animal origin.

Links to further information

https://master.unibo.it/fitoterapia-veterinaria/it

Office hours

See the website of Anna Zaghini