Gong, Y orcid.org/0000-0003-4927-5526 (2020) Aflatoxins and the First 1000 Days of Life. Report. University of Leeds
Abstract
Aflatoxins are harmful substances produced by certain types of fungi that exist naturally in the environment. The fungi grow and produce aflatoxins on staple foods such as maize and peanuts, particularly in hot and humid conditions. Children are the most vulnerable group of the population when exposed to aflatoxins within 1000 days of life because they have not developed systems for efficient detoxification. Children can be exposed to aflatoxins through breast feeding, and the introduction of cereal and nut-based weaning and family foods.
This policy brief highlights research led by Prof Yun Yun Gong (University of Leeds), in collaboration with African partners, which showed that aflatoxin biomarkers could be detected in >90% of children tested in several sub-Sahara African countries and that this exposure during the first 1000 days of a child’s life is associated with stunting, possibly through inhibition of protein synthesis. The research also demonstrated that aflatoxin exposure could be effectively reduced with low cost post-harvest strategies. Furthermore, it suggests policy options including aflatoxin control measures, education and capacity building, and promoting diet diversification.
Metadata
Item Type: | Monograph |
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Authors/Creators: | |
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Authors (2020) This work is licensed under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 4.0) |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Food Science and Nutrition (Leeds) > FSN Chemistry and Biochemistry (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number BBSRC (Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council) BB/P027784/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 17 Jul 2020 07:32 |
Last Modified: | 21 Sep 2020 07:02 |
Published Version: | https://africap.info/ |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | University of Leeds |
Identification Number: | 10.5518/100/47 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:163376 |