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Università Liedia de Bulsan

Reaction kinetics in food processing

Semester 2 · 44740 · Corso di laurea magistrale in Scienze degli alimenti per l'innovazione e l’autenticità · 6CFU · EN


Reaction kinetics provides quantitative tools to describe, interpret, and predict chemical, biochemical, and microbiological changes in foods during processing and storage. The course covers the development of mechanistic thinking, from rate laws to process design decisions, with a focus on stability and shelf-life issues. Concepts are applied through computational exercises and case studies using food-relevant quality indices.

Dozenc: Matteo Mario Scampicchio

Ores de ensegnament: 36
Ores de laboratore: 24
Oblianza de frecuenza: No

Argomenc dl curs
1. Fundamentals of reaction kinetics in food. 2. Effect of temperature on reaction rates. 3. Apparent kinetics of complex processes (i.e., lipid oxidation). 4. Conditional kinetics of processes dependent on water activity and pH. 5. Kinetics in structured and multiphase foods. 6. Shelf-life prediction.

Cursc propedeutics
None

Modalité de ensegnament
- Teaching delivered entirely in person. - Asynchronous lecture recordings available for revision and consolidation. - Laboratory and computational exercise sessions at NOI Techpark. - At least one industrial excursion to observe large-scale processing, process control, and quality-control practices. - Collaborative problem solving based on food-industry kinetic scenarios. - Structured and transparent use of artificial intelligence tools to support analysis, critique, and problem solving.

Obietifs formatifs
Knowledge and understanding: Deep understanding of the technological, microbiological, biochemical, chemical, and physical principles underlying food transformation processes and responsible for food product degradation, ensuring their stability and prolonging their shelf life. These knowledge areas will be developed through an educational program that integrates theoretical teaching activities with classroom tutorials, including examples, practical applications, individual and group work, and assessments aimed at encouraging active participation and independent solution development. These knowledge areas will be developed through an educational program that integrates theoretical teaching activities with practical activities, such as laboratory exercises, computer simulations, simulations of food processes using pilot plants, and company visits. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Ability to manage the technological, microbiological, biochemical, chemical, and physical processes that drive food transformation and the main issues related to the stability and shelf life of food products. Making judgements: Independent judgement is developed through a training programme designed to stimulate critical analysis in students. This includes the use of case studies, simulations using spreadsheets and videos, the reading and critical discussion of scientific articles, as well as specialist seminars held by experts in the food sector. The assessment of the independent judgement acquired by students is entrusted to the individual teachers responsible for the training activities, who will assess it through oral and/or written reports on specific topics and/or through exams. Communication skills: Use of the English language, both written and spoken, at a B2 level, with a command of technical and scientific vocabulary related to food science. Structure and draft scientific and technical documentation describing project activities. Interact and collaborate in the design and development of products and processes with peers and industry experts. The degree course provides graduates with the cognitive skills, logical tools and familiarity with new information technologies necessary to ensure continuous updating of knowledge, both in their specific professional field and in the field of scientific research.

Obietifs formatifs y competenzes da arjonje (informazions suplementares)
- Select and apply suitable kinetic models to experimental data. - Quantify the effects of temperature, oxygen, water activity, pH, and food structure on reaction rates. - Predict quality changes during processing and storage, including non-isothermal conditions. - Evaluate model assumptions, uncertainty, validation, and extrapolation limits. - Use kinetic predictions to support decisions on processing, formulation, packaging, storage, and shelf life.

Sort de ejam
- Continuous mid-term assessment: 70% of the final grade (21 points out of 30). It may include in-class multiple-choice and true/false tests, short open questions, interviews, small-group discussions, and problem-based learning activities. - Final written examination: 30% of the final grade (9 points out of 30). For students who successfully complete the mid-term assessment, the examination consists of one integrated food stability and shelf-life problem. The problem requires to model kinetic data, interpret kinetic parameters, express quantitative results, and estimate shelf-life. For Students who do not attend the course and/or do not successfully complete the mid-term assessment, a comprehensive final examination must be undertaken. This includes quiz-style questions, open questions, and an integrated stability and shelf-life problem. 30 cum laude is awarded to Students demonstrating exceptional independence, depth of reasoning, critical insight, and ability to integrate kinetics, uncertainty, model limitations, and industrial constraints in complex or even unfamiliar food systems.

Criters de valutazion
- Correct understanding of kinetic concepts and terminology. - Ability to formulate a food-processing or shelf-life problem in quantitative terms. - Correct selection and application of kinetic models and equations. - Accuracy of calculations and interpretation of kinetic parameters. - Ability to analyse experimental data and assess model assumptions and limitations. - Ability to justify conclusions and propose technically sound food-industry decisions. - Clarity, precision, and appropriate use of scientific and technical language.

Bibliografia obligatora
  • Lecture slides, datasets, spreadsheets, R scripts, and exercise notes provided by the lecturer.
  • Earle, R. L., & Earle, M. D. Fundamentals of Food Reaction Technology. Royal Society of Chemistry.
  • Selected scientific articles and technical documents provided during the course.


Bibliografia aconsieda
  • van Boekel, M. A. J. S. Kinetic Modeling of Reactions in Foods. CRC Press.
  • Fellows, P. J. Food Processing Technology: Principles and Practice. Elsevier.
  • Heldman, D. R., Lund, D. B., & Sabliov, C. M. (eds.). Handbook of Food Engineering. CRC Press.
  • Selected review articles on food reaction kinetics, lipid oxidation, Maillard reactions, emulsion stability, and shelf-life modelling.


Deplù informazions
Lecture slides, datasets, spreadsheets, R scripts, exercise notes, and other course materials provided by the lecturer are available through the course Microsoft Teams channel. Additional scientific articles, technical documents, and supporting materials may be provided during the course through the same platform.


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