BOTANICA FARMACEUTICA APPLICATA

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE MALFA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding: The course provides the tools for recognising the main plants of pharmaceutical and herbal interest.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Students acquire the skills necessary to understand and apply medicinal plants in the pharmaceutical and herbal industries.

Learning skills: Students become capable of recognising and identifying plants of specific pharmaceutical and herbal interest.

Independent judgment: Students develop critical thinking skills in recognising medicinal plants.

Problem-solving skills: Students are encouraged to recognise the botanical and pharmaceutical characteristics of medicinal plants.

Course Structure

The course will be structured around frontal teaching with PowerPoint projection and/or short films. During the course, there will be exercises and problem-based learning. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Pharmaceutical Biology

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is mandatory according to the provisions of the teaching regulations of the Degree Course in SFA as reported in the link: http://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/l-29_sfa/regolamento-didattico

Detailed Course Content

The Applied Pharmaceutical Botany course will be divided into face-to-face lectures (7 CFU) and shared. Co-operative group laboratory exercises dedicated to recognising and identifying plants of specific herbal and pharmaceutical interest (1 CFU), during which students will be invited to participate in feedback assessment activities.

Introduction to the study of Pharmaceutical Botany. Classification. Species concept. Taxonomic system and evolution of systems. Supply of Medicinal Plants.
Vegetative reproduction. Sexual reproduction. The biological cycles.
Mushrooms. Morphology. The mycelium. Heterotrophy. Propagation. sexual reproduction. Systematics of mushrooms. Morphology, pharmaceutical and application interest of: Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota. Intoxication with mushrooms
Algae. General characters. Morphology, pharmaceutical and application interest of: Rhodophyta: Gelidiaceae: Gelidium Sp.; Gigartinaceae: Chondrus crispus; Phaeophyta: Laminariaceae: Laminaria sp., Fucus
Overview of lichens and mosses. Morphology. utilization
Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle and practical interest of: Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Ephedrales
Plant tissues: Meristematic and embryonic tissues. Parenchymal tissue, tegumental tissue, conducting tissue, segregating tissue, and mechanical tissue.
Angiosperms. The flower and its entirety. The inflorescences. Sexual reproduction. The seed. The fruit. Leaves.
Classification of angiosperms.
Primary and secondary metabolites

LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONES)

ALLIACEAE: Allium sativum;

AGAVACEAE: Agave americana

ASPARAGACEAE: Convallaria majalis; Asparagus officinalis

LILIACEAE: Drimia maritima (Urginea maritima), Colchicum autumnale

ZINGIBERACEAE: Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinalis

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONES)

LAURACEAE: Cinnamomum sp., Laurus nobilis

PAPAVERACEAE: Papaver somniferum, Chelidonium majus

LAMIACEAE: Mentha sp., Lavandula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Origanum sp., Melissa officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis

BURSERACEAE: Boswellia

CACTACEAE: Opuntia ficus indica

CANNABACEAE: Cannabis sativa, Humulus lupulus

POLYGONACEAE: Reum sp.

STERCULIACEAE: Cola acuminata, C. vera, Teobroma cacao

FABACEAE: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cassia senna

APIACEAE: Angelica archangelica, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum

EUPHORBIACEAE: Ricinus communis

ERICACEAE: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; Vaccinum sp

RHAMNACEAE: Rhamnus frangula, R. purshiana

ERYTHROXYLACEAE: Erythroxylon coca

GROSSULARIACEAE: Ribes nigrum

MYRTACEAE: Melaleuca alternifolia

RUTACEAE: Citrus sp.

APOCYNACEAE: Strophanthus sp., Rauwolfia serpentine, Vinca

SOLANACEAE: Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Nicotina tabacum

SCROPHULARIACEAE: Digitalis sp.

PASSIFLORACEAE: Passiflora incarnata

VALERIANACEAE: Valeriana officinalis

RUBIACEAE: Cinchona sp.,

ASTERACEAE: Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, Calendula officinalis, Cynara scolymus, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Echinacea sp,.

VITACEAE: Vitis vinifera

The programme is divided into five parts according to a timeline of the topics covered.

Part 1: 1.5 CFU - 10.5h

Introduction to the study of the Pharmaceutical Botany. Classification. species concept. taxonomic system and evolution of systems. Supply of Medicinal Plants.

Vegetative reproduction. Sexual reproduction. The biological cycles.

Mushrooms. Morphology. The mycelium. Heterotrophy. Propagation. sexual reproduction. Systematics of mushrooms. Morphology, pharmaceutical and application interest of: Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota. Intoxication with mushrooms

Part 2: 1 CFU - 7h

Algae. General characters. Morphology, pharmaceutical and application interest of: Rhodophyta: Gelidiaceae: Gelidium Sp.; Gigartinaceae: Chondrus crispus; Phaeophyta: Laminariaceae: Laminaria sp., Fucus. Overview of lichens and mosses. Morphology. utilization

Part 3: 1 CFU - 7 h

Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle and practical interest of: Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Ephedrales

Plant tissues: Meristematic and embryonic tissues. Parenchymal tissue, tegumental tissue, conducting tissue, segregating tissue, and mechanical tissue

Angiosperms. The flower and its elements. The inflorescences. Sexual reproduction. The seed. The fruit. Leaves.

Part 4: 3.5 CFU - 24.5h

Classification of angiosperms.

Primary and secondary metabolites

LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONES)

ALLIACEAE: Allium sativum;

AGAVACEAE: Agave americana

ASPARAGACEAE: Convallaria majalis; Asparagus officinalis

LILIACEAE: Drimia maritima (Urginea maritima), Colchicum autumnale

ZINGIBERACEAE: Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinalis

MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONES)

LAURACEAE: Cinnamomum sp., Laurus nobilis

PAPAVERACEAE: Papaver somniferum, Chelidonium majus

LAMIACEAE: Mentha sp., Lavandula officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Origanum sp., Melissa officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis

BURSERACEAE: Boswellia

CACTACEAE: Opuntia ficus indica

CANNABACEAE: Cannabis sativa, Humulus lupulus

POLYGONACEAE: Reum sp.

STERCULIACEAE: Cola acuminata, C. vera, Teobroma cacao

FABACEAE: Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cassia senna

APIACEAE: Angelica archangelica, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum

EUPHORBIACEAE: Ricinus communis

ERICACEAE: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; Vaccinum sp

RHAMNACEAE: Rhamnus frangula, R. purshiana

ERYTHROXYLACEAE: Erythroxylon coca

GROSSULARIACEAE: Ribes nigrum

MYRTACEAE: Melaleuca alternifolia

RUTACEAE: Citrus sp.

APOCYNACEAE: Strophanthus sp., Rauwolfia serpentine, Vinca

SOLANACEAE: Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Nicotina tabacum

SCROPHULARIACEAE: Digitalis sp.

PASSIFLORACEAE: Passiflora incarnata

VALERIANACEAE: Valeriana officinalis

RUBIACEAE: Cinchona sp.,

ASTERACEAE: Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, Calendula officinalis, Cynara scolymus, Silybum marianum, Taraxacum officinale, Echinacea sp,.

VITACEAE: Vitis vinifera

Part 5: 1 CFU (Laboratory Activities) - 12h

Tissue and plant recognition; classification and collection of Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Theoretical-practical verification to be offered at the end of each group exercise.

Contribution of the course to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being. Target 3.4

Textbook Information

1. Maugini E., Maleci Bini L., Mariotti Lippi M. - Manuale di Botanica Farmaceutica IX Ed. – PICCIN 2014

2. Leporatti M., Foddai S., Tommasini L. - Testo atlante di anatomia vegetale e delle piante officinali – PICCIN 1997

3. Poli F. - Biologia Farmaceutica - II Ed. - Pearson 2019

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Species concept. Taxonomic system and evolution of systems.	Text: 1: Chapter 9-10; Text 3: Chapter 1-6-7-10
2	Vegetative and sexual reproduction. Biological cycles.	Text 1: Chapter 8;
3	Fungi. Morphology. The mycelium. Heterotrophy. Propagation. Sexual reproduction. Fungal systematics. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle, and applicative interest of: Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota. Mushroom poisoning.	Text: 1: Chapter 11;
4	Algae. General characteristics. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle and applicative interest of: Rhodophyta: Gelidiaceae: Gelidium Sp.; Gigartinaceae: Chondrus crispus; Phaeophyta: Laminariaceae: Laminaria sp., Fucus. Lichens. Lichen symbiosis.	Text: 1: Chapter 12-13;
5	Morphology. Use of mosses. Cormophytes. Bryophytes. Hepatophyta. Bryophyta. Pteridophytes.	Text: 1: Chapter 14-15;
6	Plant tissues: Meristematic or embryonic tissues. Adult or definitive tissues: parenchymatous system, integumental system, conducting system, segregating system and mechanical system.	Text 1: Chapter 4
7	Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Morphology, ontogenetic cycle and applicative interest of: Cycadophyta, Ginkgophyta, Coniferophyta, Ephedrales	Text: 1: Chapter 16;
8	Angiosperms. The flower and its elements. The inflorescences. Sexual reproduction. The seed. The fruit. The leaves.Classification of Angiosperms. Primary and secondary metabolites	Text: 1: Chapter 2, 17;
9	Phyto-pharmaceutical applications of the following medicinal plants:	Chapter 17; Text 2
10	LILIOPSIDA (MONOCOTILEDONES) ALLIACEAE: Allium sativum; AGAVACEAE: Agave americana ASPARAGACEAE: Convallaria majalis; Asparagus officinalis LILIACEAE: Drimia maritima (Urginea maritima), Colchicum autumnale	Chapter 17; Text 2
11	MAGNOLIOPSIDA (DICOTILEDONES) LAURACEAE: Cinnamomum sp., Laurus nobilis PAPAVERACEAE: Papaver somniferum, Chelidonium majus CANNABACEAE: Cannabis sativa. Humulus lupulus POLYGONACEAE: Reum sp. STERCULIACEAE: Cola acuminata, C. vera, Teobroma cacao	Chapter 17; Text 2
12	FABACEAE: Glycyrrhiza glabra EUPHORBIACEAE: Ricinus communis RHAMNACEAE: Rhamnus frangula, R. purshiana ERYTHROXYLACEAE: Erythroxylon coca APOCYNACEAE: Strophanthus sp.,Rauwolfia serpentina SOLANACEAE: Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, N. tabacum
13	SCROPHULARIACEAE: Digitalis sp. VALERIANACEAE: Valeriana officinalis RUBIACEAE: Cinchona sp., ASTERACEAE: Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Written and oral exam

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The final exam will be assessed using indicators weighted equally and aligned with those described in the expected learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors).

Therefore, the final grade takes into account the following factors:

Quality of knowledge, skills, and competencies possessed and/or demonstrated:

a) appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of knowledge

b) appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of skills

c) appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of skills

Expository style:

a) expressive ability

b) appropriate use of subject-specific language;

c) logical ability and consistency in connecting content;

d) ability to connect different topics by identifying common ground and establishing a coherent overall design, i.e., by focusing on the structure, organisation, and logical connections of the expository discourse;

e) ability to synthesise, including through the use of subject-specific symbolism and the graphical expression of notions and concepts, such as formulas, diagrams, and equations.

Relational skills:

a) willingness to exchange and interact with the instructor during the interview.

Personal qualities:

a) critical thinking;

b) ability to self-assess;

c) problem-solving skills;

d) decision-making skills.

The written exam consists of 5 open-ended questions, to be completed within a maximum of 2 hours. The oral exam is intended to clarify and expand on the answers provided in the written test and, where necessary, to supplement the assessment with additional questions designed to test knowledge of the topics covered and the ability to connect and critically analyse the course content. The oral exam generally consists of 3 questions, some of which may be dedicated to discussing aspects that emerged from the written exam. The average duration of the oral exam is approximately 20 minutes.

Based on the above, the grade is expressed in thirtieths according to the following scheme:

Unsatisfactory exam
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies
Analysis and synthesis skills: irrelevant, frequent generalisations

Use of references: completely inappropriate

Grade: 18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest, evident imperfections

Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate

Use of references: barely appropriate

Grade: 21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: slightly more than adequate

Analysis and synthesis skills: fair analysis and synthesis skills, argues logically and coherently.

Use of references: uses standard references

Grade: 24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: has good analysis and synthesis skills; the topics are explained

consistently

Use of references: Uses standard references

Grade: 27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has remarkable analysis and synthesis skills

Use of references: Has thoroughly explored the topics

Grade: 30-30 with honours

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge

Analysis and synthesis skills: Has remarkable abilities in analysis and synthesis.

Use of references: Significant in-depth analysis.

Honours are awarded to candidates who perform well above average, and whose limitations in terms of knowledge, expression, conceptuality, or logic are, overall, completely irrelevant.

Assessment may also be conducted online, if circumstances require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or learning disabilities (LDs):

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or extenuating measures, based on their educational objectives and specific needs.
Students may also contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or Learning Disabilities) contact teacher in our Department, Professor Santina Chiechio.

Exam dates:

Exam dates are published on the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences website: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/l-29_sfa/calendario-esami

CFU Course Load:

According to the RDA, Art. 12 - University Educational Credits (CFU), the standard 25-hour course load, corresponding to one credit, may include: a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remainder to individual study; b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (laboratories) and the remainder to study and personal review.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

1. Describe the morphology and classification of a lichen

2. Describe morphology of a rhodophyta alga and the life cycle of the Florideophycidae

3. Describe the morphology and reproductive characteristics of bryophytes

4. Describe the botanical and pharmaceutical characteristics of Digitalis purpurea

5. Describe the botanical and pharmaceutical characteristics of Allium sativum

Degree Course in

Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences

BOTANICA FARMACEUTICA APPLICATA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Required Prerequisites

Attendance of Lessons

Detailed Course Content

Textbook Information

Course Planning

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Suggerimenti e segnalazioni

Dipartimento di

Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute

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