BIOTECNOLOGIE PER LE PRODUZIONI ANIMALIModule AUTENTICAZIONE DEGLI ALIMENTI DI ORIGINE ANIMALE
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: LUISA BIONDIExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide knowledge about the reliable biomarkers for the traceability of the products of animal origin with the aim of authenticating the production system or the production area. Particular emphasis will be given to the grass-fed system authentication. With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the following knowledge and skills:
Knowledge and understanding abilities: The student will acquire specific knowledge on biomarkers useful for the traceability of products of animal origin with the aim of authenticating the system and / or the production area and promoting their enhancement.
Applying knowledge and understanding abilities: The student will be able to identify, among the different biomarkers, those most suitable for the specific authentication requirement (farming system, production area). The student will know the fundamentals of the main methods of laboratory analysis for the identification and quantification of biomarkers. The student will be able to interpret analytical data and organize them in a systematic way.
Making judgements: The set of knowledge and skills acquired through lectures and other activities will provide the student with the tools to independently make the appropriate technical choices based on specific requests.
Communication skills: Participation in classes and other activities, classroom discussions, and reading the recommended texts will enable students to acquire and use technical language. The use of international scientific papers in English will make it possible to acquire the foundations of technical language also in this language.
Learning skills: The organization of the course (examination of the international scientific literature on the various topics; use of some bibliographic reviews as a source of study for some topics; contact and discussion with technicians and professionals) represents a method of study and work that is based on the importance of the quality of the sources and can be replicated and pursued independently. This method can be useful for the preparation of the master thesis, for access to the doctorate and for the continuous updating of the knowledge and skills necessary for the profession.
Course Structure
The course includes 3 ECTS of lectures and 3 ECTS of other activities. At the beginning of the course, the “zero lectures” are designed to refresh students’ understanding of the basic concepts essential for the course comprehension and to bring students from different undergraduate programs up to the same level of preparation. The other activities include seminars and exercises (classroom and /or laboratory, technical visits to companies and /or public bodies) which may also be held by experts on the subject. Some of the other activities may be carried out jointly for both modules of the integrated course.
If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in biological sciences is very important.
Attendance of Lessons
Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives. The professor may occasionally verify attendance by collecting students' signatures for statistical purposes.
Detailed Course Content
1. Products of animal origin: some data on world consumption and on labelled products. Elements of animal production systems. Milk and meat quality: elements of physiological basis of milk and meat production; breeding system and product quality.
2. Tracking and tracing: definitions and outlines of the EU rules. Tracing and authentication.
3. Authentication of feeding system and/or geographic area of production. Data statistical analysis: basic knowledge. Direct, indirect and physics biomarkers. The biomarkers: carotenoids, vitamin E, terpens and other volatile organic compounds; fatty acids, stable isotopes. Notes on other biomarkers. Factors affecting the biomarkers variability in feedstuffs. Biomarkers metabolism in domestic animals. Elements of analytical methods: i) spectrocolorimetric data analysis; ii) fatty acids determination; from fat extraction to identification and quantification by means of GC; iii) volatile compounds determination: from extraction to identification and quantification by means of GC-MS; iv) vitamin E determination: from extraction to identification and quantification by means of HPLC.
Textbook Information
In addition to the textbooks, other educational materials will be available on the Studium platform throughout the course. These additional educational materials serve as a supplementary study resource to the reference texts; it is composed of i) selected scientific papers from national or international journals and ii) slides discussed during the classes. Moreover, additional papers will be also available on Studium for deepening specific topics, as supplementary educational material.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassandro M., Mele M., Trevisi E. (a cura di) | Sicurezza e tracciabilità nei sistemi di produzione del latte. | Aracne editrice s.r.l., Roma | 2010 | 978-88-548-3315-9 |
| Mele M., Pulina G. (a cura di) | Alimenti di origine animale e salute. | FrancoAngeli Editore. | 2016 | 978-88-917-2768-8 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Products of animal origin: trends of consumption and importance of certified products (DOP, organic). A glimpse on animal production systems. Quality of milk and meat: reminder of physiology; relationship between farming system and product quality. | Mele & Pulina (Editors) 2016: chapter 4 (paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 9); chapter 5 (paragraph 2, 3). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
| 2 | Tracking and tracing: definitions and notes on European regulations. Traceability and authentication. | Cassandro et al., 2010: chapter 3 (paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
| 3 | Seminar on data statistical analysis. | Slides discussed during the course available on Studium platform. |
| 4 | Carotenoids as an authentication tool: sources of variation in animal feeds and animal metabolism. Review of the scientific literature. Analysis and processing of experimental spectro-colorimetric data. | Cassandro et al., 2010: chapter 3 (paragraph 3.5). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
| 5 | Vitamin E as an authentication tool: sources of variation in animal feeds and animal metabolism. Review of the scientific literature. Determination of vitamin E: from extraction to identification and quantification by HPLC (notes). | Cassandro et al., 2010: chapter 3 (paragraph 3.5). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
| 6 | Terpenes and other volatile organic compounds as an authentication tool: sources of variation in animal feeds and animal metabolism. Review of the scientific literature. Determination of volatile compounds: from extraction to identification and quantification by GC-MS (notes). | Cassandro et al., 2010: chapter 3 (paragraph 3.5). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
| 7 | Fatty acids as an authentication tool: sources of variation in animal feeds and animal metabolism. Review of the scientific literature. Determination of fatty acids: from fat extraction to identification and quantification via GC (notes). | Cassandro et al., 2010: chapter 3 (paragraph 3.5). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
| 8 | Fatty acids as an authentication tool: sources of variation in animal feeds and animal metabolism. Review of the scientific literature. Determination of fatty acids: from fat extraction to identification and quantification via GC (notes). | Cassandro et al., 2010: chapter 3 (paragraph 3.5). Educational material complementary to the textbook available on Studium platform. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The final assessment of learning takes place through an oral exam that begins with a question on a topic chosen by the student. In addition to the relevance of the answers with respect to the questions formulated, the level of in-depth study, the property of technical language, the ability to connect and give examples and the overall expressive ability of the student will be evaluated.
The note system is as follows:
|
Note |
Criterion |
|
Not eligible |
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections. Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate. Use of references: just appropriate. |
|
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 |
|
30-30L
|
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).
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Difference between traceability and authentication. Definition of direct marker. Absorption of carotenoids: difference between cattle and small ruminants. How to calculate the Traceability index with the spectro-colorimeter data. Vitamin E in animal feeds. Terpenes and production area authentication. Milk fatty acid composition: expected differences in relation to the grass-fed or stall-fed system. Rumenic acid: variations expected in products when the ruminant is fed on pasture and origin of these variations. Use of stable isotopes for the authentication of the animal feeding system.