72727 - Xenobiotic, Environmental Contamination and Food Safety

Learning outcomes

At the end the of the course student has basic knowledges on the main pathways of degradation of xenobiotic and their interaction with food products, it possess knowledge of biochemical processes of bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and detoxification of pollutants in living organisms. The student will possess basic knowledge of European legislation on food safety correlated with the presence of contaminants and the main analytical techniques used in the field.

Course contents

The module 1 of the course will cover the following topics of biochemical toxicology at the molecular level:

• Structure, mechanism and regulation of cytochromes P450;
• Phase I metabolism of toxic compounds and metabolic interactions;
• Phase II metabolism - conjugation of toxic compounds;
• Detoxification - cellular transport and elimination of toxic compounds;

and at the cellular level:

• Cell death mechanisms;
• Mitochondrial dysfunction;
• DNA damage and mutagenesis;
• Radical species and cellular protection mechanisms;
• Toxins, pollutants and heavy metals.

In module 2, basic knowledge of European legislation on food safety correlated with the presence of contaminants and the main analytical techniques used in the field.

Readings/Bibliography

Casarett & Doull - Elementi di Tossicologia (Hrelia P and Cantelli Forti G), Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, 2013

 

Teaching notes available on-line.

Teaching methods

Frontal lesson, discussion on scientific articles

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Assessment methods

The principal learning outcomes that will be assessed are:

-knowledge of biochemical processes of environmental interest regarding interctions between xenobiotics and food products

-ability to use analytical techniques

-formulate judgements based on European legislation concerning food safety

The final grade will be composed of:

50% on the active participation during lecture and laboratory activities;

50% on oral discussion about lecture topics.

This teaching is part of an Integrated Course, the final grade will be proportional to the CFU of each teaching

72726 FARMACI AD USO VETERINARIO E TERAPIA GENICA 6CFU 50%

72727 XENOBIOTICI, INQUINANTI AMBIENTALI E SICUREZZA ALIMENTARE 6CFU 50%

Part 1

The exam consists of an oral test at the end of the course. The active participation in the activities proposed during the course will also be taken into consideration.

Part 2

The evaluation of the student consists in one written test and a teamwork.

The written exam is a of 30 Multiple Choice Questions test. Each correct answer gives 1 point, errors or no answers 0 points. The test is corrected and discussed in class.

The final grade will include the active participation during the teamwork (based on the oral presentation and of the team discussion of the assigned issue).

Teaching tools

Blackboard, video-projector, PC.

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Nesci

See the website of Giampiero Pagliuca