Aflatoxin, a fungal toxin that disrupts children's growth

Introduction:Background and Objective: Aflatoxin B۱ is a fungi species mycotoxin produced by specific of the Aspergillusgroup. It is considered one of the most active metabolites that influence children's growth, and it exists in foodproducts, particularly grains, and agricultural products. Therefore, the kids' growth is affected when they consumefoods or grains containing this toxin.Findings:Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins, naturally occurring toxic compounds formed by Aspergillus flavus. Thesetoxins are present in some basic food products like corn, nuts, dairy products, and oilseeds and can adverselyaffect children's growth. Aflatoxin B۱ is the most potent food contaminant that results in nutritional disorders anddiseases among children. A study has established that consuming aflatoxins through food is one of the leadingcauses of growth problems in children. Aflatoxin B۱ may reduce the yield of animal products such as milk, eggs,meat, etc., and cause stunted growth, poor learning ability, and behavioral and nutritional problems in children.Consequently, protecting food from being contaminated with aflatoxins is highly desirable, especially for foodmeant for children. Aflatoxins can influence calcium levels, leading to severe complications in the normalfunctioning of the children's cells, bones, and metabolism. In addition, the child's immune system and the growingbody's cells are exposed to this toxin, which results in changes in the growth hormone and the delayeddevelopment of children.Conclusion:As one of the most important environmental mycotoxins in foodstuffs, Aflatoxin B۱ has caused great harm tochildren's nutrition and growth. Since this is a dangerous toxin with severe and expensive implications, it is vitalto avoid, detect, and manage this toxin in food, especially in children's food, to enhance the healthy growth ofchildren in society.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fungus ، Aflatoxin B۱ ، Nutrition ، Child ، Growth