FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: Cristina RESTUCCIAExpected Learning Outcomes
1) Knowledge and understanding: teaching aims to provide students with basic knowledge of the biology of microorganisms in order to understand the interactions between contaminating microorganisms and process parameters of food preparations, and the role of microorganisms in food production/preservation/feeding; 2) applying knowledge and understanding: the knowledge acquired will enable students to predict the development of different microbial groups in food matrices on the basis of intrinsic, extrinsic and implicit parameters; 3) making judgments. the teaching aims to provide critical and judgmental skills through practical laboratory tests and interpretation of results; 4) communication skills: the teaching activities carried out both in the classroom and in the laboratory will stimulate students to communicate what they have gradually learned through interventions stimulated by the lecturer; and 5) learning skills: the teaching aims to provide useful tools for students to pursue their study independently and cues to connect with other disciplines in the course of study.
Course Structure
Face-to-face or distance lectures (35 hours) and exercise sessions (individual or group activity; 56 hours).
Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA. As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contact of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion- Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the person of professor Anna De Angelis.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The course consists of an introductive section, which provides a general overview of prokaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic (yeasts and molds) microorganisms, and of a section focused on microbiological issues of food sector, with particular attention paid to the role of microorganisms in food products. Topics covered will be the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters capable of constraining the growth of microorganisms in foodstuffs, the determination of microorganisms in foodstuffs, the application and management of tools for controlling the microbial growth. In addition, the role of microorganisms in fermented foods and beverages will be addressed, considering as case studies the dairy products, leavened bakery products, table olives, salami.
Textbook Information
1. Biavati B., Sorlini C. Microbiologia generale e agraria. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.Seconda edizione
2. Farris G.A., Gobbetti M., Neviani E., Vincenzini M. Microbiologia dei prodotti alimentari. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
3.Cocolin L., Gobbetti M., Neviani E. Microbiologia alimentare applicata. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Course Planning
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | Morphology and cytology of microorganisms | Text 1: chap. 3. Material provided by the teacher. |
2 | Nutrition and isolation of microorganisms | Text 1: chap. 5. Material provided by the teacher. |
3 | Microbial growth: stages and direct and indirect methods for its measurement | Text 1: chap. 6. Material provided by the teacher. |
4 | Hints of microbial metabolism | Text 1: chap. 8. Material provided by the teacher. |
5 | Microbial taxonomy. Taxonomic criteria: classification, nomenclature, and identification | Text 1: chap. 13. Material provided by the teacher. |
6 | Main Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial groups of food interest | Material provided by the teacher. |
7 | Taxonomy, genetics, physiology and ecology of fungi | Text 1: chap. 14. Material provided by the teacher. |
8 | Food microorganisms | Text 2: chap. 2. Text 3: chap. 2. Material provided by the teacher. |
9 | Ecophysiology of microorganisms in foods | Text 2: cap. 3. Text 3: chap. 3. Material provided by the teacher. |
10 | Control of microorganisms | Text 1: chap.7. Text 2: chap. 4 e 5. Text 3: chap. 5. Material provided by the teacher. |
11 | Microorganisms causing foodborne diseases. Microbiological risk in food. | Text 2: chap.6. Text 3: chap. 13, 14, 15, 16. Material provided by the teacher. |
12 | Fermentation: definition and factors affecting fermentation. Natural and guided fermentation. Traditionally fermented foods: advantages and disadvantages. | Text 3: chap. 25. Material provided by the teacher. |
13 | The control of fermentations through the use of starter cultures. Definition of starter culture; requirements for starter selection; classification of starter cultures. | Text 3: chap. 26. Material provided by the teacher. |
14 | The main microorganisms used as starters. | Material provided by the teacher. |
15 | The wine: spontaneous, and with starters and malolactic alcoholic fermentation | Text 2: chap. 13. Text 3: chap. 34. Material provided by the teacher. |
16 | Beer: brewing fermentations and microorganisms involved | Text 2: chap. 15. Text 3: chap. 35. Material provided by the teacher. |
17 | Bread and baked leavened products: brewer's yeast and sourdough; yeasts and lactic acid bacteria involved in the fermentation process; microbial spoilage of baked products. | Text 2: chap. 16. Text 3: chap. 31. Material provided by the teacher. |
18 | Fermented vegetables. Table olives: fermentation, the main microorganisms involved in table olive fermentation; the microbiota of table olives. | Text 2: chap.17. Text 3: chap. 32. Material provided by the teacher. |
19 | Fermented milks and cheeses: microorganisms involved in fermentation processes; technological and functional selection of starter strains; microbial involvement in cheesemaking processes. | Text 2: chap.18, 19. Text 3. chap. 27, 28. Material provided by the teacher. |
20 | Fermented meats: definition and origin of cured meats. Spontaneous and with starter fermentation ; starter cultures used in production. | Text 2: chap. 20. Text 3: chap. 29. Material provided by the teacher. |
21 | Functional foods: definition and characteristics. Probiotics and prebiotics. | Text 2: chap. 21. Text 3: chap. 39, 40. Material provided by the teacher. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Verification of learning is through oral examination. Evaluation of the student's preparation will be based on the following criteria: ability to learn and level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and exposition, and ability to reason.
Grading will follow the following pattern:
Ineligible
Subject knowledge and understanding: Significant deficiencies. Significant inaccuracies
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize
Use of references: Completely inappropriate.
18-20
Subject knowledge and understanding: At threshold level. Obvious imperfections
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Barely sufficient ability
Use of references: Barely appropriate.
21-23
Knowledge and understanding topic: Routine knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Is able to analyze and synthesize correctly. Argues logically and coherently
Use of references: Uses standard references.
24-26
Subject knowledge and understanding: Good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Has good analysis and synthesis skills. Topics are expressed consistently
Use of references: Uses standard references.
27-29
Knowledge and understanding topic: Knowledge more than good
Analytical and synthesis skills: Has considerable analytical and synthesis skills
Use of references: Has deepened understanding of topics.
30-30L
Knowledge and understanding topic: Knowledge very good
Ability to analyze and synthesize: Has considerable ability to analyze and synthesize.
Use of references: Important insights.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Comparison of cell structures of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Functions of cell structures.
Nutritional requirements of various microbial groups.
Principles and applications of microbial growth control methods.
Stages of microbial growth.
Effects of different parameters on microbial growth.
Main microbial groups of food interest.
Starter cultures for the production of major fermented foods and beverages.