The Authentication and Grading of Edible Bird’s Nest by Metabolite, Nutritional, and Mineral Profiling

Abstract

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) produced by Aerodramus fuciphagus has a high demand for nutritional and medicinal application throughout the world. The present study was to evaluate the authentication of a man-made house EBN, which are half cup and stripe-shaped by FTIR. Next, both samples were compared according to their metabolite, nutritional, and mineral composition. The results indicated that the FTIR spectra of both EBN samples were identical and similar to the reference, suggesting the authenticity of the EBN used. The metabolites that contribute to the possible medicinal properties of EBN were found by using GC-MS. The results of the proximate analysis, followed by the standard AOAC method, inferred that both EBN shapes to be rich in crude protein and carbohydrate contents. However, the proximate composition between the half cup and stripe-shaped EBN showed significant differences. Major mineral elements detected were calcium and sodium, and magnesium contents were significantly different between both EBN. Additionally, the half cup and stripe-shaped EBN had a low level of heavy metal content than the maximum regulatory limit as set by the Malaysian Food Act 1983. This study concludes that the nutritional composition varied between the samples and thus suggests that nutrient content should be considered as criteria for the grading requirement of commercialized EBN.

Edible Bird’s Nest Effectively Attenuates Atherosclerosis through Modulation of Cholesterol Metabolism via Activation of PPARγ/LXRα Signaling Pathway In Vivo

“…In our previous studies, we found that EBN is high in nutritional value and bioactive components [13,17]. Te nutritional composition analysis of the EBN had revealed that it comprises of high protein (>50%) and carbohydrates (>20%).…”

“…Despite the similar caloric intake between treatment groups (except for the HFCD + STATIN group), rabbits supplemented with EBN showed signifcantly less weight gain than rabbits administered with the HFC diet alone (p < 0.05). Te presence of glycoprotein sialic acid, protein nucelobindin-2, and fbre components in FS and SE of EBN could probably deliver the potential of EBN in weight management [13,17]. Te efects of these EBN components on body weight changes have been reported in the literature involving in vivo models [20][21][22].…”