Bio-based innovation in food industry

A.A. 2024/2025
6
Crediti massimi
54
Ore totali
SSD
AGR/15
Lingua
Inglese
Obiettivi formativi
The aim of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge to respond to the changing needs of the food system with a bio-based innovation of food ingredients, products and packaging materials also considering consumer's perception of new food technologies and ingredients. Training will be centered on case studies to deepen safety and quality aspects of food innovation and to encompass the use of different food technologies for process optimization and for the application of a circular economy strategy.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
Students will develop the ability to: i) use tools to manage innovation in closed-loop food supply chains, such as risk analysis and product identification and traceability; ii) plan bio-based innovations related to the development of new food ingredients, new packaging materials and new food technologies; iii) perform sensory and consumer science methods in order to explore and interpret consumer food perception, choice and behavior, in view of the emerging trend toward sustainable food systems.
Corso singolo

Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.

Programma e organizzazione didattica

Edizione unica

Responsabile
Periodo
Primo semestre

Programma
The teaching program of UNIT 1 (Sensory and Consumer Science) will include the following topics:
· The future of the agri-food system - Trends and challenges
· Psychological and physiological factors influencing food acceptance
· Consumer attitudes to food innovation and technology (case studies: 1) alternatives to animal food products; 2) food waste and recovery of by-products.

The teaching program of UNIT 2 (Innovative Food Processing and Products) will include the following topics:
· Principle of food processing
· Innovation in the food industry: drivers, opportunities and challenges
· Development of new products & processing
· Case-study 1: Sustainable crops
· Case-study 2: Recovery of by-products
· Case-study 3: Innovation of traditional foods

The teaching program of UNIT 3 (Sustainable food packaging) will include the following topics:
- Food packaging in the food supply chain
- Sustainability concept and its evolution over time
- A holistic approach: environmental, social and economic sustainability
- Packaging innovation strategies towards sustainability
- Packaging-related food losses and waste
- End-life options of packaging materials
- Case studies of sustainable packaging systems for the bioeconomy
- Examples of use of bioresources for a new generation of bio-based packaging materials:
· cellulose and its derivatives
· PLA
· PHAs
· PBS
[ ]
- Seminars and Visits to labs/consortia/companies

The teaching program of UNIT 4 (Circular food supply chains) will include the following topics:
Overview of food supply chains and circular approaches to production
Impact of circular supply chain on quality issues:
· Safety and traceability
· Trust
· Value addition
Case study 1: By-product valorization in the plant-based food supply chain
Case study 2: By-product valorization in the animal-based food supply chain
Prerequisiti
Basic background in chemistry (especially organic chemistry) and microbiology is recommended. Course prerequisites and exam arrangements are the same for students attending and not attending the course lessons. Lesson attendance is nevertheless strongly encouraged.
Metodi didattici
- UNIT 1: 1.25 CFU frontal lessons + 0.25 CFU lab
- UNIT 2: 1.5 CFU frontal lessons
- UNIT 3: 1 CFU frontal lessons + 0.5 CFU lab
- UNIT 4: 1.5 CFU frontal lessons
Materiale di riferimento
Slides of the lessons and specific literature will be available on the "Ariel" platform (https://mlaureatibifi.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx)
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The exam is intended to ascertain the theoretical and applied knowledge of the topics of the four units of the program, including the use of appropriate terms and tools, the clarity of presentation and the ability to integrate the acquired knowledge for problem solving of a specific case study. The final exam consists of a written test (2 open-ended questions for each unit in 60 total min). To pass the exam is it mandatory to achieve the minimum grade (18/30) for each unit in the same exam session.
Students have to register through UNIMIA within the deadline to perform the exam. Student will be informed about the exam outcome by an email from UNIMIA platform.
Specific procedures for students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) will be applied also for telematic exams. Here the complete information:
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-disabilities
In case you need specific procedures, please inform the teacher by mail at least 10 days before the exam.
AGR/15 - SCIENZE E TECNOLOGIE ALIMENTARI - CFU: 6
Laboratori: 12 ore
Lezioni: 42 ore
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
su appuntamento
Ufficio (Ed. 21040 - ingresso sotto scala metallica per aula 4 - piano terra)
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Ufficio (Ed. 21040 - ingresso sotto scala metallica per aula 4 - piano terra)
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su appuntamento
via mangiagalli 25 piano 4
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giovedì 16.30-17.30 Su appuntamento fissato mediante e-mail
piattaforma Microsoft Teams
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Su appuntamento
Edificio 21040 (ingresso sotto aula 4)