Vegetal Toxicology

Year
1
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
02011277
Subject Area
Biology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado

Recommended Prerequisites

Curricular units: General Chemistry, general Morphology and Taxonomy of Plants. Language knowledge: Portuguese + another language (English, Spanish or French). 

Teaching Methods

Theoretical and practical classes. Field trips to cultivated or spontaneous areas. Tutorials. Academic shyntesis works and reports related with Vegetal Toxicology.

Learning Outcomes

1) To know the history of vegetal intoxications. 2) To know the general chemical structure and physiological activity of the vegetal poisons. 3) To know the main toxic Vascular Plants, globally and nationally. 4) To identify the main Portuguese toxic plants by their macro (leaves, fruits, etc.) and micro-characters (seeds, leaf epidermis, pollen grains). 5) To identify, by appropriate chemical tests, the major groups of plants poisons.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Vegetal poisons and secondary metabolism.Main classes of plant toxins: protides, poliines, alkaloids, heterosides, saponosides, oxalic acid tanins, essential oils, lactones, mineral poisons

Description of the main toxic taxa present in Europe and the world.Their toxins.Symptoms of poisoning and lethal doses in man and animals

Localization and variation in concentration of the vegetal toxins. Resistance to degradation

The prevention of poisonings.Danger of unfounded beliefs.The necessity of colaboration among the specialists(health professionals,botanists,chemists)schools and municipalities

Laboratory identification of toxic plants by macro(leaves,flowers,fruits)and micro (leaf epidermis, pollen grains, seeds) characters

Observation and identification of poisonous species in the Botanic Garden and other green spaces of Coimbra

Laboratory identification of various vegetal toxins:cyanogenic heterosids, cardiac heterosids, alkaloids, saponosids, tanins, essential oils.

Head Lecturer(s)

António Xavier de Barros e Cunha Pereira Coutinho

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Bruneton, J. 2001. Plantas Tóxicas - Vegetales peligrosos para el Hombre y los animales. Editorial Acribia, S. A. Zaragoza.

 

Campos, M. G. & Cunha, A. P. 2006. Efeitos tóxicos no Homem e em Animais Domésticos provocados por Plantas Espontâneas em Portugal. Publicações Farmácia Portuguesa.

 

Crosby, D. G. 2004. The Poisoned Weed – Plants Toxic to Skin. Oxford University Press, New York. 

 

Frohne, D. & Pfänder, H. J. 2005. Poisonous Plants – A Handbook for Doctors, Pharmacists, Toxicologists, Biologists and Veterinarians. Manson Publishing, London.

 

Jean-Blain, C. 1973. Les Plantes Vénéneuses. La Maison rustique. Paris.

 

Nelson, L. S., Shih, R. & Balick, M. J. 2007. Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Springer, The New York Botanical Garden.

 

Stary, F. 1993. Plantas Venenosas. Susaeta Ediciones, Madrid.

 

Wink, M. & Van Wyk, B. 2008. Mind-Altering and Poisonous Plants of the World. Timber Press, London, Portland.