PROCESSI BIOCHIMICI ED APPLICAZIONI BIOTECNOLOGICHE AGROALIMENTARI

Provide knowledge about primary and secondary metabolism in plants and their importance in physiological regulation. Provide specific knowledge of Biochemistry applied to the study of plant response to hormones and biotic and abiotic stresses and on agro-food biotechnology applications. In particular, and with reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the following knowledge and skills.

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, the student will know, from a biochemical perspective, the main primary and secondary metabolites of plants and microorganisms, their impact on plant productivity and their possible pharmacological and nutritional use.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Individual and group exercises, aimed at verifying the understanding of the concepts covered by the course. Autonomy of judgment Administration of ongoing formative tests aimed at self-assessment of understanding and learning of teaching units already completed; conscious evaluation of teaching.

Communication skills

The student will strengthen the technical language of biochemistry and communication skills through interactions with the teacher and colleagues during the course.

Learning skills

The student will be able to update and expand their knowledge by independently drawing on texts, scientific articles and online platforms.

The course includes 49 hours of frontal lessons (or distance learning) and 14 hours of classroom exercises through presentations and participatory debates among students on research, case studies or topics related to the course topics.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) contact teacher of the Department, Prof. Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Prof. Anna De Angelis.

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

Main metabolic pathways related to the formation of secondary metabolites (Photosynthesis. Hexose phosphate pool. Synthesis and degradation of sucrose and starch. Triose phosphate/pentose phosphate metabolic pool. Interactions between hexose phosphate and pentose phosphate/triose phosphate pools. Glycolysis, Pentose phosphate pathway, Krebs cycle. Oxidative phosphorylation. Alternative oxidase. Synthesis and catabolism of fatty acids. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Absorption and reduction of nitrites and nitrates. Absorption and transport of sulfate. Reductive assimilation pathway of sulfate.).

Phenolic compounds: shikimic acid and aromatic amino acid pathway. Biosynthesis of simple phenols.

Biosynthesis of lignin. Coumarins. Stilbenes, dibenzyls, benzoquinones, naphthoquinones and anthraquinones. Biosynthesis of complex phenols: flavonoids and tannins. Terpenoids.

Mevalonic acid pathway and isoprene biosynthesis.

Monoterpenes, sesquierpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, polyterpenes.

Secondary metabolites containing nitrogen.

Alkaloids. Nicotinic and tropane alkaloids. Isoquinoline alkaloids. Indole alkaloids. Cyanonegetic glucosides. Glucosinolates. Non-protein amino acids.

Overview of the main signal transduction pathways. Secondary metabolites and plant hormones in the adaptation of plants to abiotic and biotic stresses.

Control of phytopathogens by genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering of lipids for the improvement of edible oils.

Biotechnological applications on the biosynthesis of terpenoids and alkaloids.

Metabolic engineering for the production of phenylpropanoids: source of advanced fibers, pigments, pharmaceuticals and flavors.

Buchanan B.B., Gruissem W., Jones R.L. -Biochemistry Molecular Biology of Plants- Zanichelli.

Maffei – Plant Biochemistry – Piccin.

Taiz, Zeiger – Plant Physiology – Piccin.

Dewick P.M. – Chemistry, Biosynthesis and Bioactivity of Natural Substances- Piccin.

Nelson D.L., Cox M.M. - Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. VIII Edition- Ed. Zanichelli.

The exam will be oral and will focus exclusively on the topics covered in class. The questions are aimed at the reasoned evaluation of the knowledge of the program covered.

The exam dates will be published on the Department website.

1) Description of a metabolic pathway.

2) Function and biosynthesis of plant bioactive metabolites.

3) Biotechnological production and applications of plant bioactive metabolites.