Risk analysis of main mycotoxins occurring in food for children: An overview.
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi contaminating the food chain that are toxic to animals and humans. Children up to 12 years old are recognized as a potentially vulnerable subgroup with respect to consumption of these contaminants. Apart from having a higher exposure per kg body weight, they have a different physiology from that of adults. Therefore they may be more sensitive to neurotoxic, endocrine and immunological effects. For these reasons, a specific and up-to-date risk analysis for this category is of great interest. In this review, an accurate analysis of the main mycotoxins occurring in food intended for children (deoxynivalenol, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, patulin and fumonisins) is presented. In particular, known mechanisms of toxicity and levels of exposure and bioaccessibility in children are shown. In addition, recent discoveries about the strategies of mycotoxins managing are discussed.
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Universitá 100, 80055, Portici, Napoli, Italy. Electronic address: assuntaraiola@hotmail.com.
Assunta
A
Raiola
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy.
Gian Carlo
GC
Tenore
Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Avenue Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
Lara
L
Manyes
Laboratory of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Avenue Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Spain.
Giuseppe
G
Meca
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy.
Alberto
A
Ritieni
D000818:Animals; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D066007:Toxicokinetics
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D009183:Mycotoxins
Aflatoxins; Baby food; Children; Deoxynivalenol; Fumonisins; Ochratoxins; Patulin; Risk analysis