FOOD CHEMISTRY AND HEALTH - 2022/3

Module Overview

This module covers a variety of important components in foods that arise from the chemical and biochemical transformations which occur during the processing, storage and preparation of foods. It builds on previous knowledge in food science in terms of enhancing the understanding of the complex reactions that occur in foods. This will be done by examining the published research that has occurred in the field. The emphasis is focused on understanding how the compounds are formed, the levels present and their role in food safety and acceptability.

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

GRASSBY Terri (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Some of the module content will be co-taught with the undergraduates taking BMS3059

Indicative content includes:

Introduction and overview of the module. Presentation of some information on assessment and feedback expectations.

Critical review of a current peer reviewed publication – what features to look out for in an article.

Pigment and volatile formation during food processing

Reactions involving sugars, ascorbate, amino acids and proteins

Heterocyclic amine formation and safety considerations

The chemistry and role of sulphite in foods including safety aspects

The chemistry and role of nitrate, nitrite and nitroso-compounds, including safety aspects

Chemical and enzymatic modification of proteins

Protein – protein interactions

Protein – polysaccharide interactions

Protein-lipid and oxidized lipid interactions

Trans fatty acids and lipid oxidation products

The nature of phenols and tannins – introduction to structures and terms

Phenols and tannins – transformations during processing – e.g. in tea and coffee

Phenols and tannins – dietary burden, absorption and metabolism

Phenols and tannins – biological effects and relevance

Free radicals, radical scavengers and antioxidants

Antioxidants in vivo and in vitro (including assessment methods and their relevance)

Bulk sugar replacers

Workshop on current topics in food Chemistry

Journal club to practice and demonstrate critical review and presentation skills.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

That they can describe, explain and understand the complex reactions that occur during the processing of foods. Provide students with the opportunity to show that they understand the role that these and other compounds have in foods in terms of their safety and acceptability. Develop and demonstrate critical review and presentation/communication skills.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Critical review (2000 words) due end of Semester 1. This will be on a topic taught within the first half of the semester.

• Journal club presentation (due week 8-11). This will be on a pre-selected journal article where the student will have to present a critical review on the article.

Formative assessment:

An example journal club presentation will be given by staff. Students will be given the opportunity to present a paper in the journal club and receive feedback from their peers and an academic.

Feedback

Feedback will be given on the critical review and journal club presentation. More detailed and individualized feedback will be given on the marked assignment within the time allowed for marking coursework. Feedback on the journal club presentation will be given immediately after the presentation. Rubrics will be used for both assessments.

Module aims

• Formation and significance of heterocyclic products during non-enzymic browning. Role in non-enzymic browning of reactants other than sugars and amino acids
• Polymerisation and pigment formation during non-enzymic browning
• Mutagen formation and significance during non-enzymic browning
• The significance and origin of nitrate and nitrite and their safety
• Reactions and significance of sulphite in food - problems and possible alternatives
• Protein-protein, protein-polysaccharide and protein-lipid interactions
• Chemistry and role of trans fatty acids and lipid oxidation products in foods
• The nature of phenols and tannins in food and their transformation and a critical assessment of the evidence pertaining to their possible beneficial effects
• The uses and limitations of bulk sugar replacers in foods.
• Examine critically recently published information that increases our knowledge of (bio)chemical transformations which occur during food processing, storage and/ or preparation and which have a bearing on safety and acceptability.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide in-depth knowledge of key topics in food science through lectures, seminars and a journal club. External guest speakers provide material in their areas of expertise.

Lectures introduce key topics, which are then critically discussed in seminars and the journal club. The extensive reading list acts as a starting point for students to explore topics in depth. The journal club encourages critical thinking and review skills as well as practice in presentation/communication skills.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MHUM012

Other information

None

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.