Curricular Unit:			Code:
Food Toxicology			845TOAL
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
3	Undergraduate	Nutrition Sciences	5 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	65
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
The main objectives of Food Toxicology are the learning of the fundamentals of Food Toxicology. In agreement with the “Referencial para a formação académica do nutricionista” of the Portuguese “Ordem dos Nutricionistas”, the main objectives are: O1- Understand the basis of Toxicology and its importance in the food field; O2- Understand the toxicokinetics of xenobiotics; O3- Understand the general mechanisms of toxicants action and methods to evaluate their effects; O4- Identify the main food toxicants and describe their mechanisms of action; O5- Knowledge on risk assessment and acceptable daily intake; O6- Acquire scientific skills for conducting and implementing laboratory analytical techniques for searching and quantifying xenobiotics; O7- Develop autonomy in the search for food toxicants related information.
Syllabus:
CP1: General notions on Toxicology. CP2: Toxicokinetics and ADME of Xenobiotics. CP3: Dose-response and toxicity evaluation. CP4: General mechanisms of toxicants action. CP5: Food Toxicants and their mechanisms of action. CP6: Risk assessment and acceptable daily intake. CP7: Regulatory aspects and legislation on food toxicants. CP8: Analytical methods for detection of food toxicants. CP9: Laboratorial experiments on toxicity with the mice model.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The contents comprising the curricular unit of Food Toxicology provide the students of Nutritional Sciences the acquisition of scientific, technical and interpersonal skills in order to develop the Nutritionist interventions in the field of Toxicology. Knowing the basics of toxicology and studying the chief food toxicants (syllabus contents CP1 to CP7) allow the student to acquire the objectives O1, O2, O3, O4, O5 and O7. Conducting analytical laboratory protocols and animal experiments with mice (syllabus contents CP8 and CP9) are important for objectives O2, O3, O4, O6 and O7, implementing a critical spirit in the student for laboratorial experiments.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Teaching Methodologies M1: Presentation and discussion of relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom M2: Brainstorm on pertinent issues related to the matter exposed and in the resolution of exercises M3: Execution of laboratory protocols using current analytical methodologies M4: Discussion of problems. M6: Use of the e-learning platform to store and provide educational material to the student. Evaluation The assessment consists of two written tests in theoretical part (worth 60% of the final grade) and of two written tests and student performance in the laboratorial part (worth 40% of the final grade). If the average of the two written tests for a given component is less than 9.5, the student will automatically fail that component, be it theoretical or laboratory.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The constant interaction between the teacher and the student in the classroom will allow adequate the student to acquire the objectives. Laboratory protocols and other discussions on case studies related to toxicants present in food provide the consolidation of knowledge and enable students to solve problems related to the toxicology field. In addition, the use of a set of study materials purposely created, as well as tutorial sessions for inquiries will allow a high level of adjustment between the methodologies and objectives of the course. M1: Presentation and discussion of relevant theoretical concepts in the classroom – Achieve outcome O1 to O5. M2: Brainstorm on pertinent issues related to the matter exposed and in the resolution of exercises Achieve outcome O7. M3: Execution of laboratory protocols using current analytical methodologies – Achieve outcome O6 and O7. M4: Discussion of problems – Achieve all outcomes. M6: Use of the e-learning platform to store and provide educational material to the student. Evaluation – Achieve all outcomes.
Reading:
1. Principles of biochemical toxicology. John A. Timbrell; 4th edition, Informa, 2009 2. Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. Curtis Klaassen, 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2018 3. Introduction to Food Toxicology. Takayuki Shibamoto, Leonard F. Bjeldanes, 2nd edition, Academic Press, 2009 4. Toxicologia Forense, Félix Carvalho, Maria Lourdes Bastos, Ricardo Dinis (Eds.), 1ª edição, PACTOR - Grupo LIDEL, 2015. 5. Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poisons. Moffat, Anthony C (ED) 4th edition, The Pharmaceutical Press, 2011.