PROBIOTICS MICROORGANISMS IN FOODS
cod. 1007836

Academic year 2019/20
2° year of course - Second semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Microbiologia agraria (AGR/16)
Field
A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity
Student's choice
21 hours
of face-to-face activities
3 credits
hub:
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

Knowledge and ability to understand: through the lectures held during
the course, the student will acquire the methods and knowledge
necessary to understand the world of probiotics.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
Using scientific articles, students learn how to apply the acquired
knowledge in a real context.
Autonomy of judgment
Using the acquired knowledge about the GUT microbiota, the selection of
probiotic microorganism, their effects on human health, their
employment in foods, students will be able to evaluate which probiotic
can be used in food according to the technology and of the
transformation processes.
Communication skills
Through the lectures, the comparison with the teacher and other
students, the student acquires the specific vocabulary related to the
microbiology. It is expected that, at the end of the course, the student is
able to transmit, in oral and written form, the main contents of the
course.
Learning ability
The student who has attended the course will be able to deepen their
knowledge related to the world of probiotics through the independent
a) comprendere i meccanismi attraverso cui i probiotici interagiscono con
la fisiologia dell’ospite.
b) Apprendere gli aspetti tecnologici legati all’impiego dei probiotici
c) Conoscere le diverse tipologie di alimenti probiotici ad oggi presenti.
La conoscenza di questi aspetti potrà fornire allo studente le competenze
essenziali per comprendere il significato della presenza e di un corretto
utilizzo dei microrganismi probiotici negli alimenti ed il loro impatto
sull’uomo.
Metodi didattici Saranno previste lezioni frontali in aula con l’ausilio di slide che
rappresenteranno materiale didattico messo a disposizione on line per gli
studenti.
Modalità di verifica
dell'apprendimento
Durante il corso sarà stimolata la discussione in aula con gli studenti
finalizzata alla verifica dello stato di apprendimento. La verifica finale di
apprendimento sarà svolta mediante un esame scritto a risposte chiuse.
Lo studente deve dimostrare di possedere conoscenze e competenze per
rispondere alle domande del test. Ogni domanda sarà valutata in
trentesimi e il voto finale sarà ottenuto dalla media conseguita. La soglia
di sufficienza sarà raggiunta se la media conseguita sarà uguale o
superiore a diciotto trentesimi.
Programma esteso Flora intestinale: caratteristiche e funzione.
• Microrganismi e alimenti probiotici.
• Caratteristiche dei microrganismi probiotici: identificazione di specie e
biotipi probiotici.
• Attività probiotiche
Sicurezza ed effetti riportati di ceppi probiotici.
• Aspetti tecnologici legati all’impiego dei microrganismi probiotici.
• Alimenti probiotici: alimenti fermentati e alimenti non fermentati
consultation of specialized texts, scientific journals, even outside the
topics dealt with strictly in class.
In particular, the objectives are as follows:
a) understand the mechanisms by which probiotics interact with the
physiology of the host.
b) Learning the technological aspects related to the use of probiotics
c) To know the different types of probiotic foods
The knowledge of these aspects will provide the student with the
essential skills to understand the meaning of the presence and the
correct use of probiotic microorganisms in food and their impact on
human health

Prerequisites

Knowledge of the principles of general microbiology and food is considered important for the correct learning of the course contents

Course unit content

The first lessons will be on gut microbial ecology. Secondly, focus will be
pointed on definition, characteristics, selection criteria and uses of
probiotics in food

Full programme

Microbial gut: characteristics and functions
• Microrganisms and probiotics food
• Probiotics characteristics: species and strains identification
• Probiotic activities
• Probiotics safety and effects
• Technological aspects to employing probiotic microorganisms in food
• Probiotic foods: fermented and non fermented foods

Bibliography

Review and research articles from international journal
Microbiota intestinale, Luciano Lozio, Ed. Tecniche Nuove.
Handbook of probiotics and prebiotics, Salminen & Lee, Ed. Wiley

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons will be carried out with the help of slides that represent
educational material for students. Slides will be available on line on the Elly page.

Assessment methods and criteria

During the course the classroom discussion with the students will be stimulated
aimed at verifying the learning status. The final verification of
learning will be carried out through a written exam with closed answers.
The student must demonstrate to have knowledge and skills to
answer the test questions. The task will consist of 15 questions, which will be worth 2 points each. Students will have 30 minutes to take the exam. The threshold
sufficiency will be achieved if the average achieved is equal or
over eighteen thirty.

Other information

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