Insects and Microorganisms for the Valorization of Agro-Food Residues and Waste
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The main objective of the course is to provide students with knowledge on the valorization of by-products, waste and residues from the agri-food chain through biotransformation by insects and microorganisms to produce high value-added products for human or animal consumption, for industrial processing or for plant protection.
Various aspects on the sustainability of insect breeding, the biology of the insect, fungal and bacterial species of greatest interest as food and feed, methods and problems of mass rearing, production and transformation processes and potential uses will be presented. Relevant legislation, food safety and marketing aspects will also be deepened.
Various aspects on the sustainability of insect breeding, the biology of the insect, fungal and bacterial species of greatest interest as food and feed, methods and problems of mass rearing, production and transformation processes and potential uses will be presented. Relevant legislation, food safety and marketing aspects will also be deepened.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Illustrate the advantages of using insects and microorganisms for by-product and waste valorization
- Identify the main entomological, fungal and bacterial species of interest for biotransformation
- Identify parameters useful for optimizing biotransformation processes on different growth substrates
- Illustrate the problems associated with large-scale rearing
- Illustrate the biomass conversion processes
- Illustrate the nutritional values of reared species, possible risks and benefits
- Describe the legislation on the rearing and use of insects
- Describe the legislation concerning the registration of micro-organisms or bioactive molecules against phytopathogens.
- Illustrate the advantages of using insects and microorganisms for by-product and waste valorization
- Identify the main entomological, fungal and bacterial species of interest for biotransformation
- Identify parameters useful for optimizing biotransformation processes on different growth substrates
- Illustrate the problems associated with large-scale rearing
- Illustrate the biomass conversion processes
- Illustrate the nutritional values of reared species, possible risks and benefits
- Describe the legislation on the rearing and use of insects
- Describe the legislation concerning the registration of micro-organisms or bioactive molecules against phytopathogens.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Microorganisms (prof. Daniela Bulgari)
- Valorisation of agro-industrial waste: overview of the importance and management strategies of agro-food waste. Advantages/disadvantages of using biotransformations and potential within the agro-food chain .
- Microorganisms for biotransformation: growth and life cycles of fungi and filamentous bacteria. Examples of life cycles of the main groups involved in waste valorization. Biotechnological characteristics of the genera Trichoderma, Pleurotus, Ganoderma and Streptomyces.
- Biotransformations: overview of types; in-depth study of solid state fermentation. History, parameters influencing the process, types of agro-food waste used, inoculation methods, methods for evaluating microbial development. Advantages/disadvantages of using solid state fermentation for waste valorization.
- Solid state fermentation products: microbial biomass and its uses, enzymes and bioactive molecules.
- Laboratory activity: setting up a solid-state fermentation of agro-food wastes to produce molecules with antimicrobial activity.
- Regulations for the registration of microorganisms or molecules active against phytopathogens.
Insects (Prof. Costanza Jucker)
- Understanding the sustainability of insect rearing compared to other protein sources.
- Advantages of insect production and consumption.
- Description of the main entomological species of interest for waste valorization and their biology.
- Principles and issues of mass rearing as protein sources.
- Description of insect-derived products, chemical characteristics, safety and possible uses.
- Legislative aspects concerning the rearing and marketing of insects in Europe.
- Laboratory activities: rearing of entomological species on some agro-food industry wastes and collection of experimental data.
- Valorisation of agro-industrial waste: overview of the importance and management strategies of agro-food waste. Advantages/disadvantages of using biotransformations and potential within the agro-food chain .
- Microorganisms for biotransformation: growth and life cycles of fungi and filamentous bacteria. Examples of life cycles of the main groups involved in waste valorization. Biotechnological characteristics of the genera Trichoderma, Pleurotus, Ganoderma and Streptomyces.
- Biotransformations: overview of types; in-depth study of solid state fermentation. History, parameters influencing the process, types of agro-food waste used, inoculation methods, methods for evaluating microbial development. Advantages/disadvantages of using solid state fermentation for waste valorization.
- Solid state fermentation products: microbial biomass and its uses, enzymes and bioactive molecules.
- Laboratory activity: setting up a solid-state fermentation of agro-food wastes to produce molecules with antimicrobial activity.
- Regulations for the registration of microorganisms or molecules active against phytopathogens.
Insects (Prof. Costanza Jucker)
- Understanding the sustainability of insect rearing compared to other protein sources.
- Advantages of insect production and consumption.
- Description of the main entomological species of interest for waste valorization and their biology.
- Principles and issues of mass rearing as protein sources.
- Description of insect-derived products, chemical characteristics, safety and possible uses.
- Legislative aspects concerning the rearing and marketing of insects in Europe.
- Laboratory activities: rearing of entomological species on some agro-food industry wastes and collection of experimental data.
Prerequisites for admission
The student must have a basic knowledge of biology, microbiology and entomology.
Teaching methods
Teaching is organised in the form of lectures and lab activities.
Teaching Resources
The following materials are recommended for the study of the topics addressed:
1) Slides presented during lectures and supplementary documents available on the myAriel page of the course.
2) Textbook indicated by the professor at the beginning of the course
1) Slides presented during lectures and supplementary documents available on the myAriel page of the course.
2) Textbook indicated by the professor at the beginning of the course
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be an interview and will be conducted separately for the parts relating to microorganisms and insects. The final grade will be recorded in thirtieths and determined by the average of the two assessments. The examination will be aimed in particular at
- ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding;
- ascertain the student's knowledge on the various topics explored in the course in relation to the valorisation and transformation of waste using microorganisms and insects;
- ascertain the student's specific language.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
- ascertain the achievement of the objectives in terms of knowledge and understanding;
- ascertain the student's knowledge on the various topics explored in the course in relation to the valorisation and transformation of waste using microorganisms and insects;
- ascertain the student's specific language.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY - University credits: 3
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 3
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 3
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Bulgari Daniela, Jucker Costanza
Shifts:
Professor(s)