Organic Natural Products: Biosynthesis and Characterization

The course introduces students to the world of natural organic substances with particular reference to the bioactive molecules present in the vegetable matrices used in the food, nutraceutical, agronomic, cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields. In particular, the aim of the course is the study of the main biological pathways leading to the production of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, aspects of the main investigation techniques for determining the structure and properties of the most important classes of natural products will be studied in depth.

Knowledge of the chemical structures and of the main biological activities of natural organic substances.
Ability to understand the most plausible application of natural organic substances in the food, nutraceutical, agronomic, cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.
Choice and application of the most appropriate experimental techniques for the structural characterization of natural substances.