Insects, Mycotoxigenic Fungi and Food

Module INSECTS AND FOOD

1. Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide the student with the necessary insights, in terms of basic biological and ethological knowledge on insects having a direct or indirect relationship with human nutrition, both as pests of agri-food products and as a direct source of protein for animals and humans feeding.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.
The entomological knowledge acquired during the course will provide the student with the technical-managerial skills and expertise for the adoption of the appropriate prevention and integrated control strategies of pest infestations and for the breeding techniques for the large-scale production of insects for food purposes and subsequent marketing.

3. Communication skills.

The student will be able to develop communication and relational skills regarding the interaction between insects and food preparation, catering, and food distribution as well as those related to the possibilities of using insects for food purposes.

Insects: threat or resource? - Human-Insect Relationships - Insect morphology, anatomy and biological traits - Notes on other food animal pests - Insects pests of the main agro-food chains - Pest management strategies - Entomophagy - Insects as feed and food - Nutritional value of insects - Mass rearing of insect species for feed and food production -  Legislation on the use of insects as feed and food.

1. Belcari A., Macchione P., Gianchecchi U., Bacciotti D., Nencetti A., Rossi F., Gestione integrata degli animali infestanti nelle industrie alimentari. Firenze University Press, 2012 - 174 pp.

2. Guerra P., Suss L. Gli infestanti nelle industrie alimentari. La gestione sulle derrate e nell'industria. Riconoscimento, modalità di prevenzione, monitoraggio e lotta, Avenue media, 2021.

3. Insects as food and feed: from production to consumption. Ed. Arnold van Huis, Jeffery K. Tomberlin. 447 p. ISBN 9789086862962

Further teaching materials for students, which will be made available to them, consist of:

• Copies of the PowerPoint presentations given during lectures and seminars.
• Scientific articles and other teaching materials provided by the lecturer, including any links and/or popular science articles for reference.

The exam is composed by an individual oral interview .

The student will be evaluated according to five criteria:

- relevance of the answers according to the questions asked

- quality of answer content

- ability to link with other topics of the study program

- ability to report examples

- technical language quality and overall expressive capacity

The final score, that will be out of thirty, of the course will result from the medium scores of the two tests.

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies

Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate

Use of references: just appropriate

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level

Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair ability to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner

Using references: use standard references

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently

Using references: use of standard references

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good

Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth

30 e 30 e lode

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge

Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis

Use of references: important insights

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

1 Interference of insects with human activity

2 The insect body morphology 

3 Pests of food administration rooms

4 Control methods for crawling insects

5 Why eat insects?

6 Insect farms for use as feed