NATURAL PRODUCTS
Federica Pollastro (12 h – 2 ECTS)
Academic lecturers: 12
Guest lecturers: 0
| Title | Natural Products (2 ECTS) |
| Program |
Secondary metabolites: definition, roles and classification. Pure natural compound and phytocomplex: advantage and disadvantage. Classification and characteristics of secondary metabolites: – alkaloids: biosynthesis and isolation, a matter of basicity – isoprenoids: from essential oil composition to chemestetic properties of functional groups, how to recognize, how to apply them (TRPV3, TRPA1, TRPV1, hTAS2R) – meroterpenoids and TRPV1 – phenyl propanoids and polyketides Isolation techniques with stationary phases: differences and how to choose the appropriate one. Maceration: the solvent role. Other processes: distillation, liquid-liquid partition, avoiding of fatty acids and waxes. Olfactory receptors beyond odour and the potential of their modulation for cosmetic sciences A seminar by a guest lecturer from the industrial world on Isobutylamides from Z. bungeanum |
| Textbooks |
Lessons with the aid of power point slides indicating scientific references. Analysis of vegetable samples and materials where it is possible. Essential oils and pure compounds will be shown (and smelled) to demonstrate the chemical olfactory differences. Text: Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy |
| Objectives | Students will learn what a secondary metabolite is and why plants produce them. They will learn and recognize classifications of natural compounds and the possibilities of interactions with our biology. They will understand important functional groups leading to precise biological effects and new biological aspects. Students will also learn different purification technologies that allow to obtain pure compounds, how to choose the best one, and how to scale up a method from the laboratory to an industrial setting. |
| Prerequisites | Organic chemistry, biology and pharmacology. |
| Teaching methods | Lectures, seminars by experts in the field, hands-on practicals. |
| Expected Results | Students should be able to recognize different classes of secondary metabolites and their chemical characteristics and behaviors. They should also be able to plan purification strategies. Some of the principles and techniques learnt during the course will be put in practice during the laboratory included in the course “Strategies for the synthesis, extraction of novel compounds, formulation and analysis of dermatological products” given during the second semester. |
| Exam modality |
A written exam evaluating the knowledge, notions and processes acquired during the lectures. The test includes:
a) 3 open questions with answers of 100-150 words maximum, 5 points each. 50% of the final mark;
b) 5 multiple choice questions with one true answer, 3 points each. Correct answer gives 1 point. All other possibilities is 0 point. There will be no negative grades. 50% of the mark. The overall grade will be the sum of the two parts. |
TITLE
Natural Products (2 ECTS)
PROGRAM
Secondary metabolites: definition, roles and classification.
Pure natural compound and phytocomplex: advantage and disadvantage.
Classification and characteristics of secondary metabolites:
– alkaloids: biosynthesis and isolation, a matter of basicity
– isoprenoids: from essential oil composition to chemestetic properties of functional groups, how to recognize, how to apply them (TRPV3, TRPA1, TRPV1, hTAS2R)
– meroterpenoids and TRPV1
– phenyl propanoids and polyketides
Isolation techniques with stationary phases: differences and how to choose the appropriate one.
Maceration: the solvent role.
Other processes: distillation, liquid-liquid partition, avoiding of fatty acids and waxes.
Olfactory receptors beyond odour and the potential of their modulation for cosmetic sciences
A seminar by a guest lecturer from the industrial world on Isobutylamides from Z. bungeanum
TEXTBOOKS
Lessons with the aid of power point slides indicating scientific references. Analysis of vegetable samples and materials where it is possible. Essential oils and pure compounds will be shown (and smelled) to demonstrate the chemical olfactory differences.
Text: Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy
OBJECTIVES
Students will learn what a secondary metabolite is and why plants produce them. They will learn and recognize classifications of natural compounds and the possibilities of interactions with our biology. They will understand important functional groups leading to precise biological effects and new biological aspects. Students will also learn different purification technologies that allow to obtain pure compounds, how to choose the best one, and how to scale up a method from the laboratory to an industrial setting.
PREREQUISITES
Organic chemistry, biology and pharmacology.
TEACHING METHODS
Lectures, seminars by experts in the field, hands-on practicals.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Students should be able to recognize different classes of secondary metabolites and their chemical characteristics and behaviors. They should also be able to plan purification strategies. Some of the principles and techniques learnt during the course will be put in practice during the laboratory included in the course “Strategies for the synthesis, extraction of novel compounds, formulation and analysis of dermatological products” given during the second semester.
EXAM MODALITY
A written exam evaluating the knowledge, notions and processes acquired during the lectures. The test includes:
The overall grade will be the sum of the two parts.
Last modified: October 21, 2020