Phytopharmaceuticals: Chemistry and Analysis
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Phytopharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis course included in undergraduate program of Herbal Sciences and Technologies provides the student with the fundamental notions in order to manage and apply the most appropriate method for the identification and analysis of phytopharmaceutical compounds. Based on the theoretical concepts provided during the lectures and thanks to the practical training in laboratory, the aim of the course is to improve the critical skills of the student, essential for approaching and solving analytical challenges in the phytopharmaceutical field.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course of Phytopharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis the student will properly manage the techniques of conservation, sampling, isolation extraction and analysis of compounds in the phytopharmaceutical field. The student will be able to apply during the practical training in laboratory the acquired knowledges. The student is expected to demonstrate a critical spirit in order to obtain robust and reproducible experimental analytical data.
During the final examination, the student must also understand the proposed questions, choose and fully demonstrate the knowledge acquired during the lectures and the laboratory experiences.
During the final examination, the student must also understand the proposed questions, choose and fully demonstrate the knowledge acquired during the lectures and the laboratory experiences.
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
Classroom lessons will deal with the following topics:
Sampling and conservation of a plant-based drug for analysis.
Drug preparation: mechanical methods (crushing, shredding, squeezing).
Extraction of active ingredients: traditional methods (infusion, decoction, maceration, percolation, enfleurage, continuous extraction, current and countercurrent distillation) and modern methods (extraction with supercritical fluids, microwave-assisted extraction with solvents, ultrasound-assisted extraction, Naviglio Extractor).
Classification of the extracts (fluid, soft and dry extracts), dyes, hydrolites, alcoholates, hydrolates. Calculation of alcohol content.
Traditional purification methods: crystallization, lyophilization and sublimation recrystallization.
Recognition of substances reported in EP: determination of physical constants (melting point and boiling point); recognition of alkaloids reported in EP; optical methods used in the analysis: refraction index, polarimetry, UV spectroscopy. Theory and applications of chromatography: TLC, HPLC, MPLC.
The contents of the lectures will be applied during single-laboratory laboratory exercises. In detail we will proceed to the analysis of organic and organometallic compounds. In particular, the following will be carried out: combustion tests and residue analysis; recognition of metals in organometallic substances registered in the F.U; preparation of Lassaigne's solution for the detection of nitrogen, sulfur, halogens and phosphorus; search for halogens by calcination test; search for phosphates using an oxidizing mixture; solubility studies of organic substances (in water and reactive solvents) and their classification. Furthermore, tests will be carried out for the recognition of functional groups in organic substances: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, polyalcohols, sugars, carboxylic acids, α-oxyacids, phenols, amines, amino acids, esters, amides. Classes of substances of substances of natural origin such as xanthines, alkaloids and glycosides will finally be recognized through the application of specific tests.
Sampling and conservation of a plant-based drug for analysis.
Drug preparation: mechanical methods (crushing, shredding, squeezing).
Extraction of active ingredients: traditional methods (infusion, decoction, maceration, percolation, enfleurage, continuous extraction, current and countercurrent distillation) and modern methods (extraction with supercritical fluids, microwave-assisted extraction with solvents, ultrasound-assisted extraction, Naviglio Extractor).
Classification of the extracts (fluid, soft and dry extracts), dyes, hydrolites, alcoholates, hydrolates. Calculation of alcohol content.
Traditional purification methods: crystallization, lyophilization and sublimation recrystallization.
Recognition of substances reported in EP: determination of physical constants (melting point and boiling point); recognition of alkaloids reported in EP; optical methods used in the analysis: refraction index, polarimetry, UV spectroscopy. Theory and applications of chromatography: TLC, HPLC, MPLC.
The contents of the lectures will be applied during single-laboratory laboratory exercises. In detail we will proceed to the analysis of organic and organometallic compounds. In particular, the following will be carried out: combustion tests and residue analysis; recognition of metals in organometallic substances registered in the F.U; preparation of Lassaigne's solution for the detection of nitrogen, sulfur, halogens and phosphorus; search for halogens by calcination test; search for phosphates using an oxidizing mixture; solubility studies of organic substances (in water and reactive solvents) and their classification. Furthermore, tests will be carried out for the recognition of functional groups in organic substances: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, polyalcohols, sugars, carboxylic acids, α-oxyacids, phenols, amines, amino acids, esters, amides. Classes of substances of substances of natural origin such as xanthines, alkaloids and glycosides will finally be recognized through the application of specific tests.
Prerequisites for admission
The preliminary knowledge necessary to adequately deal with the topics of the course foresee the basic notions of organic and inorganic chemistry provided during the preparatory courses as indicated in the Manifesto.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures and single-seat exercises in the laboratory. During the classroom lectures the topics will be illustrated through the use of slides or videos moreover specific exercises based on case studies taken from recent literature will be considered .
The student's lab training is based on the analysis of known and unknown substances.
The student's lab training is based on the analysis of known and unknown substances.
Teaching Resources
Supporting Materials is allocated on MyAriel web site, further books are suggested:
- Morelli, G. Flamini, L. Pistelli -MANUALE DELL'ERBORISTA- Tecniche Nuove;
- D. Naviglio, L. Ferrara -TECNICHE ESTRATTIVE SOLIDO-LIQUIDO: TEORIA E PRATICA- Aracne Editrice;
- P. M. Dewick -CHIMICA, BIOSINTESI E BIOATTIVITA' DELLE SOSTANZE NATURALI -Piccin;
- V. Cavrini, V. Andrisano -ANALISI FARMACEUTICA- Esculapio;
- F. Savelli, O. Bruno - ANALISI CHIMICO FARMACEUTICA- Piccin.
- Farmacopea Ufficiale Italiana X Edizione.
- A. Carta, MG. Mamolo, F. Novelli, S. Piras. ANALISI FARMACEUTICA QUALITATIVA, Edises.
- Morelli, G. Flamini, L. Pistelli -MANUALE DELL'ERBORISTA- Tecniche Nuove;
- D. Naviglio, L. Ferrara -TECNICHE ESTRATTIVE SOLIDO-LIQUIDO: TEORIA E PRATICA- Aracne Editrice;
- P. M. Dewick -CHIMICA, BIOSINTESI E BIOATTIVITA' DELLE SOSTANZE NATURALI -Piccin;
- V. Cavrini, V. Andrisano -ANALISI FARMACEUTICA- Esculapio;
- F. Savelli, O. Bruno - ANALISI CHIMICO FARMACEUTICA- Piccin.
- Farmacopea Ufficiale Italiana X Edizione.
- A. Carta, MG. Mamolo, F. Novelli, S. Piras. ANALISI FARMACEUTICA QUALITATIVA, Edises.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes a written test and a laboratory test.
The 90 minutes written exam generally consists of 3-4 open questions regarding the program carried out during the lessons.
The evaluation of the written test will take into account the student's ability to understand the question and to explain through the use of an appropriate scientific language how to apply the knowledge acquired thanks to the attendance of this course .
The laboratory test consists in the qualitative recognition of two unknown substances; during the test the student can use the laboratory notes and the Official Pharmacopoeia.
The evaluation of the test will consider the student's ability to know how to apply the main methods of qualitative analysis in order to identify isolated active ingredients of natural origin and the ability to manage the related problems independently. The result of the written test and the laboratory test will be expressed in thirtieths.
The final result will correspond to the weighted average of the evaluations achieved in the two tests and will be expressed in thirtieths.
The 90 minutes written exam generally consists of 3-4 open questions regarding the program carried out during the lessons.
The evaluation of the written test will take into account the student's ability to understand the question and to explain through the use of an appropriate scientific language how to apply the knowledge acquired thanks to the attendance of this course .
The laboratory test consists in the qualitative recognition of two unknown substances; during the test the student can use the laboratory notes and the Official Pharmacopoeia.
The evaluation of the test will consider the student's ability to know how to apply the main methods of qualitative analysis in order to identify isolated active ingredients of natural origin and the ability to manage the related problems independently. The result of the written test and the laboratory test will be expressed in thirtieths.
The final result will correspond to the weighted average of the evaluations achieved in the two tests and will be expressed in thirtieths.
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 8
Single bench laboratory practical: 32 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Gandolfi Raffaella, Straniero Valentina
Professor(s)