FCH-22308 Food Properties and Function

Course

Credits 8.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

FHM-20306 Food Microbiology;
FPE-20306 Food Processing Engineering;
FPH-20306 Food Physics;
FCH-20806 Food Chemistry

Continuation courses:

FCH-30306 Food Ingredient Functionality;
PDQ-80812 Case studies on Product Quality

Contents:

In this course the knowledge from different disciplines of food science will be combined to study the effect of processing on product properties and product quality, in relation to innovation of food products. The product quality will be described by physical properties and consumer perception. Examples are: consistency, colour, flavour and appearance of the food. An introduction to sensory analysis will be given, explaining the use of statistical computer programs to handle data sets from sensory analyses. In addition, the process of product innovation will be analysed in its society context, with emphasis on ethical issues.
The first part of the course includes class room lectures, practical classes as well as working in small groups. In the laboratory classes in the second part of the course, the students will produce an innovated food product starting from raw materials and compare its properties with those of an existing food product. Knowledge obtained from the first part of the course as well as from previous (food) courses will be integrated to understand the processing of any product properties.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course a student should be able to:
- integrate theoretical and practical knowledge from various food science disciplines;
- understand the implications of changes in food product ingredients or processing on the final product properties;
- understand the effect of chosen processing on food properties and -quality;
- understand how food quality can be determined with appropriate sensorial and instrumental approaches;
- understand the methodology and use of modern analytical techniques;
- understand the ethical issues involved in innovation of food products and to apply this knowledge in practical situations;
- work in small groups and to plan, carry out and evaluate experiments to make an innovated food product and to present the results orally.

Activities:

The course consists of three parts:
- lectures (food color, food physics, analytical and sensory techniques);
- laboratory classes (discipline integrating product practical) and participation in small groups to plan sensory experiments;
- use computer programs in data handling.

Examination:

The final grade is based on a written theory examination (50%), a written report of laboratory classes and an assessment of the laboratory classes (50%; only averaged when both >5).

Literature:

Course guide, handouts and reader.