270111 Advanced Food Chemistry

Details
Responsible DepartmentDepartment of Food Science

Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

oral examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Oral examination in the project report and the course curriculum. The oral test examines the theoretical knowledge, and the knowledge of experimental design and analytical methods in food chemistry.

7-point scale, external examiner
 
Requirement for Attending ExamParticipation in the excursion and group-based project work, finalised with written report. Handling in and approval of review of research paper.
 
Organisation of TeachingThe teaching comprises lectures, theoretical exercises and project work in groups. A one-day excursion will be included.
 
Block PlacementBlock 4
Week Structure: B
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Optional Prerequisites270007 
Food chemistry, knowledge of physical chemistry and skills in mathematics. Experience in project work and report writing. xxxxxx Food Analytical Chemistry (new course)
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Course Content
The course topics relates to specific food products and advanced food chemistry where reactions of the major food components, proteins, carbohydrate and lipids is occurring. The control of these reactions is of primary importance to ensure product quality. In the lectures of this course the effects of processing and storage conditions on the chemical composition of the food is discussed. Examples are the oxidation of lipids and the importance of lipid refining, the modification of polysaccharides and unfolding and chemical reactivity of proteins. In addition to basic knowledge attention is given to (1) the occurrence and reactivity of these compounds as well as their interaction in different food products, and (2) the analysis of these compounds and their reaction products. The application of the information discussed during the lectures takes place in the computer assisted case study based on analytical data from the MSc course Food analytical chemistry, and is used in a review of a research paper and in relation to product developments of foods.
 
Teaching and learning Methods
Active participation during plenary lectures, self-study of theory. Participation in case studies in which interaction between food components will be studied for a number of product groups by different analytical methods. Literature research. Participation in project work in which the student independently designs and conducts experiments on the paper, followed by interpretation of the results and writing a review. The theoretical exercises supports the plenary lectures and case studies. Experience in project work and report writing.
 
Learning Outcome
The course objective is to acquire an understanding of the chemical reactions that take place with food components during processing and storage, and be capable of designing and conducting experiments and interpreting data to understand important reactions and interactions in food chemistry.
After completing the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge:
Classify structures and properties of components and of chemical reactions in foods during processing and storage.
Recognize important reactions and mechanisms in foods and describe how these may affect the quality of foods based on food chemistry principles.
Describe carbohydrates, lipids and proteins basic characteristics in food and the mechanisms for formation of specific taste and aroma during processing.
Display overview of specific interactions of food components and use analytical data to describe the changes during processing.

Skills:
Suggest which specific analytical methods that are relevant for describing chemical changes of food quality.
Explain the mechanisms during processing and storage which cause modifications or formation of specific components in foods.
Explain the mechanisms by which other components in food influence the behaviour and reactivity of key components in foods.
Use the theoretical knowledge to solve food chemical problems on food quality during processing and storage.
Reading and using original scientific literature, and communicate the obtained knowledge in writing.
Illustrate and discuss analytical data understandably and thoroughly.

Competences:
Apply theory and knowledge on the properties of food components to understand important reactions and mechanisms in food chemistry.
Discuss the outcome of reactions and interactions taking place during food production and storage, and make suggestions to solve problems on food quality.
Evaluate and predict the chemical food quality based on analytical data, kinetic mechanisms and scientific literature.
Cooperate with fellow students on project and exercises.
 
Course Literature
Suggestion:
Book chapters, collection of reviews, and original scientific literature.
 
Course Coordinator
Karsten Olsen, ko@life.ku.dk, Department of Food Science/Food Chemistry, Phone: 353-33201
 
Study Board
Study Committee LSN
 
Work Load
lectures32
theoretical exercises32
project work60
Excursions8
preparation50
supervision20
examination4

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