Structure and functions of biomolecules

The aim of the course is an in-depth discussion of the structure-property and structure-activity relationships of the main classes of biomolecules of particular interest for the agri-food sector. Green and sustainable chemical strategies for their recovery, valorisation and transformation in value-added compounds will be also presented and discussed, together with relevant application for bioeconomy. Main spectroscopic techniques (UV and NMR) for chemical structural analysis will be presented.

The student will be able to critically discuss the structure-property and structure-activity relationships of biomolecules of particular interest for the agri-food sector. He will also acquire knowledge and skills on the most important extraction, preparation/purification, and transformation techniques with emphasis on green and sustainable methodologies. Students will be able to use combined UV and NMR spectroscopic data to assign and discuss the molecular structures of simple bioactive compounds. Finally, the student will be able to use the main experimental and computational methodologies for understanding the interactions of bioactives with macromolecules.