Biotechnologies of animal products

Learning Objectives

• Animal products authentication.

  Aim of the course is to to know the useful and reliable bio-markers for tracing the products of animal origin with the aim of authenticating the feeding system or the production area. Particular emphasis will be given to the grass-fed system authentication. At the end of the course, the student will be able to identify the most suitable bio-marker for the specific authentication request and will know the fundamentals of the main analitical methods.

• Molecular genetics in animal breeding

  To provide theoretical and practical knowledge on animal genetic improvement activities and on molecular biology techniques applied to the management and the breeding of the livestock populations and to the improvement and genetic traceability of the animal productions. At the end of the course the student will be able to interpret genetic data and prepare appropriate management and protection plans for livestock populations. He will know the main reproductive biotechnologies and their contribution to genetic progress. He will be able to apply different molecular biology techniques to the selection of breeding stock, to the improvement,safety and traceability of products of animal origin.

Course Structure

• Animal products authentication.

  The course includes 4 credits of lectures, held by the teacher, and 2 credits of other activities. The other activities include seminars and exercises (classroom and/or laboratory and/or didactic visits) that may be held by experts on the subject.

  If teaching will be be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

  Learning assessment may be carried out on line, if the conditions require it.

• Molecular genetics in animal breeding

  Lectures, exercises, seminars, technical visits.

  The course includes 4 credits of lectures, held by the teacher, and 2 credits of other activities. The other activities include seminars and exercises (in the classroom and / or in the laboratory and / or didactic visits) and may also be held by experts on the subject.

  If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.

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

Detailed Course Content

• Animal products authentication.
  1. Products of animal origin: some data on world consumption and on labelled products (PDO, organic). 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: spectrrocolorimetric data analysis; products fatty acids determination; from fat extraction to identification and quantification by means of GC; volatile compounds determination: from extraction to identification and quantification by means of GC-MS.

• Molecular genetics in animal breeding

  Genetics of quantitative traits. Main reproductive biotechnologies and cytogenetic analysis. Characterization of livestock genomes. Major genes associated to animal productions. Candidate genes, QTLs and Marker Assisted selection. Genomic selection. Livestock biodiversity characterization. Population genetics: genetic structure of animal populations. Molecular markers in animal breeding. Molecular markers applied to the safety and the genetic traceability of animal productions.

Textbook Information

• Animal products authentication.
  1. Cassandro M., Mele M., Trevisi E. (ed.) 2010. Sicurezza e tracciabilità nei sistemi di produzione del latte. Aracne editrice s.r.l., Roma.
  2. Secchiari P. (a cura di) 2014. Alimenti di origine animale e salute. Fondazione Iniziative zooprofilattiche e zootecniche. Brescia, n. 95

  Educational material complementary to the textbook will be uploaded on Studium during the course. The educational material includes selected papers published in international scientific journals and slides discussed during the lessons. Moreover, additional papers will be also available on Studium for deepening specific topics.

• Molecular genetics in animal breeding

  1. Barcaccia, Falcinelli “Genetica e genomica- VOL III” "Genomica e biotecnologie genetiche." Seconda edizione accresciuta - Liguori Editore;

  2. Pagnacco “Genetica animale. Applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

  Selected scientific papers, published in international scientific journals, will be given to the students during the class meeting.

  All the suggested sources, including the slides commented in the class, are available on Studium.