Bird Saliva Nest Testing

Analysis Nitrate and Nitrite in Bird Saliva Nest

SaniChem Resources offers analysis of nitrate and nitrite in Bird Saliva Nest by ion chromatography (IC). IC is a more sensitive method where a level as low as 0.1 ppm may be detected. Our method involves extracting the nitrate and nitrite from the Bird Saliva Nest matrices into solution and analysing the solution for nitrate and nitrate and a few other anions such as chloride, sulphate and phosphate. Sample amount required is about 1 gram which should be dry as that is the export requirement. Each sample should be placed in a separate small plastic bag, sealed and labelled before shipping to our laboratory. Depending on our workload, the turnaround time is between one to five days. We also provide moisture content analysis on the Bird Saliva Nest for export quality compliance using Karl Fischer titration method and bacteria count test.

Bird Saliva Nest Testing

Why test for Nitrate and Nitrite in Bird Saliva Nest?

Nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) are naturally occurring ions that are ubiquitous in the environment. Both are products of the oxidation of nitrogen by micro-organisms in plants, soil or water and, to a lesser extent, by electrical discharges such as lightning. Nitrate is the more stable form of oxidized nitrogen but can be reduced by microbial action to nitrite, which is moderately reactive chemically. Studies have shown that nitrate are found in many types of food especially meat products and vegetables. In fact it was shown that up to 90% of human dietary intake of nitrate come from vegetables which may contain up to two grams of nitrate per kilogram of vegetables. Nitrite, on the other hand are generally found in baked food and certain types of vegetables at much lower level at 2-4 mg per kg food. However, about 20% of nitrate may be converted to nitrite in the mouth by action of saliva and bacteria and more will be converted in the stomach. The toxicity of nitrate is generally due to its reduction to nitrite. Nitrite may react with some amine compounds to form N-nitroso compounds which were found to cause cancer in animal study and thus are suspected carcinogens. Based on many studies, health regulating bodies such as World Health Organization (WHO) has issue the allowable daily intake (ADI) of nitrate and nitrite to a maximum of 3.7 mg and 0.07 mg per Kg body weight respectively. Thus the allowable daily intake of a 60 Kg human is 222 mg for nitrate and 4.2 mg for nitrate per day. The WHO allowable limit for nitrite in food is 34 ppm and under the Malaysian Standard for Bird Saliva Nest, the allowable limit is set at 30 ppm for nitrite.
China has recently adopted an allowable limit of 30 ppm (mg/Kg) of nitrite in imported Bird Saliva Nest. This limit had been agreed with the Malaysian Government recently. Recent study by the Department of Veterinary Services, Johor(a state in Malaysia) reported that most Bird Saliva Nest produced in Johor contain levels of nitrites in excess of the allowable limit. Their finding is summarised in the table below.
It is interesting to note that the percentage of uncleaned Bird Saliva Nest containing 0-20 ppm nitrite was 57% while 32% contained 0-160 ppm nitrate. Upon cleaning, the percentage of 0-20 ppm nitrite increased to 62% and 0-160 ppm nitrate level was 81%. Nitrate and Nitrite are naturally occurring ions that can be found abundantly in the environment, including food. Studies have shown that Nitrate and nitrite are found in many types of food such as vegetables, fruit and meat product.

Nitrate and Nitrite

Nitrite is often used as a food additive for preservation and coloring purposes and the prevention of bacterial growth. Although it is widely used to cure meat, nitrite, in the presence of secondary amines in food product or in digestive system, will be converted into Nitroso Compounds and can cause health problems, including cancer, if ingested in large amounts. However, Nitrite will not pose serious threats to human health if it is used in accordance with the standards.
Nitrate which always present as sodium nitrate is the more stable form but tend to be oxidized to Nitrite in the existence of bacterial activity and oxygen. Thus, both nitrate and nitrite must be monitored to ensure the quality and safety of meat products.
Nitrite in red Bird Saliva Nest may be formed naturally. Though, there are patches of circumstances found that a few sellers attempted to turn white Bird Saliva Nest into red Bird Saliva Nest to persuade customers who believe the blood-red nests are more nutritious thus increase the higher prices and demand from consumer for the red Bird Saliva Nest. Unfortunately, adulterated Bird Saliva Nests often feature excessive nitrite levels.

Heavy Metal

Heavy metal comes from an external sources. Swiflet birds travel around to acquire foods and drinks. During the process, there are a lot of possibility for the birds to bring along contaminant to their nests. Other than bacteria, heavy metal is one of a main concern among Bird Saliva Nest consumer because most of heavy metal is very well known to cause cancer.

Bacteria

Since swiflet bird made the nest using its saliva, there are very high probability for bacterial growth especially the nest will be going to be a place where the birds live which we can expect fecal from the birds to present. Because of that, hygienic factor of the Bird Saliva Nest is the main priority. Cleaning process must be done very thoroughly to make sure the Bird Saliva Nests are clean and edible without affecting health of consumer.

Protein analysis

Protein analysis seems to be unnecessary because protein is not the main nutrient aimed by the consumer here. Raw Bird Saliva Nest contain a quite high amount of protein. A high quality Bird Saliva Nest should contain a high amount of protein too.
Though, there is a research found that after processing, the protein level decrease so much due to the cleaning process by using hydrogen peroxide, H2O2 as bleaching agent. It does not only eliminate all the bacteria and heavy metals, it also removes the essential sialic acid, minerals, epidermal growth factor and antioxidants. Through protein analysis, we can confirm no bleaching agent was used during the processing and the nutrient level is preserved to the optimum.

Moisture

Some Bird Saliva Nest processor spray water to their processed Bird Saliva Nest for easier packaging. While the Bird Saliva Nest already clean, the high water content in the Bird Saliva Nest provide a good environment for yeast and molds growth. This will force them to use preservative to prevent the growth thus increasing the level of nitrite, which when consumed in high amount will cause cancer.

Introduction to Bird Saliva Nest

Bird Saliva Nest is one of the commonly use health-modulating foods in Chinese populations. In traditional Chinese medicine, Bird Saliva Nest is known for its beneficial effects in treating several ailments including consumptive disease, tuberculosis, asthma, dry coughs, stomach ulcers, gastric troubles and bronchial disorders. Due to food and medicinal values, Bird Saliva Nest is quite an expensive animal bioproduct, and has thus created lucrative industry in Southeast Asia. It is one of the main contributors of gross domestic product in several Southeast Asian Countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and others.

Bird Saliva Nest is the dried saliva of swallows / swiftlets commonly found in the Southeaast Asian Countries e.g. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnamese. Swiftlets are tiny insectivorous birds that often keep on catching insects during flight from nearly first light until dark. Amongst the several swiftlet species in Collocalia genus, only the nests producted by Collocalia fuciphaga, Collocalia germannis, Collocalia maxima and Collocalia unicolor are commercially important due to their human consumptions.

Bird Saliva Nest is called differently in different languages e.g. Yan Wo in Chinese, Sarang Wallet in Indonesian and Enso in Japanese. The saliva secreted from the sublingual salivary glands of swiftlets during nesting and breeding season is the main material used in building of the nests. Generally, the sublingual salivary glands of swiftlets increase in weight from 2.5 to 160mg, and reach their maximum secretory activity during nesting and breeding season. Nests are built using saliva as a cementing material for binding feathers and other vegetation together. It also ensures firm attachment to the vertical walls of inland or seaside caves.

Grading of Bird Saliva Nest

The grading of EBNs is measured on account of their dry mass, the time spent by swiftlets in building nest, and finally the fat and protein content of hardened saliva. As an example, the white nests are almost entirely made from saliva, while the black ones are composed of almost 45-55% feathers and small dried leaves.
The bowl shaped Bird Saliva Nest is the most popular one in the market compare to other shapes e.g. triangle (corner nest), broken pieces, etc.

History of Bird Saliva Nest

The earliest history of Bird Saliva Nest trade dates back to almost 1000 years ago in China, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). However, some researchers believe that the Bird Saliva Nest trade can only be traced back to 1589 when Ming Dynasty ruled the ancient Chinese Empire. It is said that the Admiral Cheng Ho visited Southeast Asia and was given gift of Bird Saliva Nest from Indonesia for the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor. This is assumed to be the initial stimulus for opening the trade of these valuable nests.
During the ancient Chinese civilization, only the families of the Emperor and his ministers were privileged with the right to consume the highly valued Bird Saliva Nest. But, after the end of the monarchy system in China, the general population was introduced to Bird Saliva Nest. Because of the delicious, nutritive and medicinal properties of Bird Saliva Nest, its fame rose gradually and steadily among the general public.
Nowadays, Bird Saliva Nest is reputed as one of the most popular delicacies among the Chinese communities. In addition to the consumption of Bird Saliva Nest for health-promoting effects and nutritional components, most of the people consume it as mere delicious and nutritious food item.

Health Benefits and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

TCM has claimed a long time ago that Bird Saliva Nest has highly encouraging effects for the cure and treatment of consumptive diseases, difficult breathing, dry coughs, alleviating asthma, tuberculosis, hemoptysis, asthenia, improving voice, stomach ulcers, relieving gastric troubles and general weakness of bronchial ailments. Besides, Bird Saliva Nest is also famous for the proper and healthy nourishment of kidneys, heart, lungs and stomach. Additionally, it helps in raising libido, fortifying the immune system, promoting growth, improving concentration, improving skin complexion, slowing down the aging processes, increasing energy and metabolism, and regulating circulation.
The regular consumption of Bird Saliva Nest has been associated with healthy effects such as high-spirited physical and mental strength, and youthfulness restoration. Proteins are the main ingredients of Bird Saliva Nest. They are generally used for the building and repair of body cells and tissues, and driving other metabolic functions. Carbohydrates are another major ingredients of Bird Saliva Nest. Sialic acid is one of the major carbohydrates found in Bird Saliva Nest, which mediates the distribution and structure of gangliosides in brain. The essential trace elements such a calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, iodine and some essential amino acids are the other main and major ingredients in Bird Saliva Nest.
In the view of these facts, Bird Saliva Nest is highly nutritive and restorative food with sweet and calm character appropriate for consumption by all age groups of all genders. Recent studies have demonstrated Bird Saliva Nest as a potent medicinal substrate with a wide range of medicinal properties including antiviral, anticancer, eye care, bone strength, neuroprotective and anti-oxidant effects. Besides, Bird Saliva Nest has been found to potentiate the proliferation of HASCc. In addition, epidermal growth factor like activity has been documented for Bird Saliva Nest in several experiments.
Although Bird Saliva Nest has been traditionally prescribed to cure diseases for many generations the actual characteristics and properties of Bird Saliva Nest have not been studied in detail.

Target Market

At present, the main target market for Bird Saliva Nest is the Chinese community all over the world. However, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan stand out as the top consumers of this product followed by Singapore, U.S.A. and Middle East countries among others. Bird Saliva Nest is regarded as an esteemed cuisine by upper class Chinese families and highly appreciated for its health benefits. At diners in expensive Hong Kong restaurants, each bowl of the highest quality Bird Saliva Nest costs almost USD $30 – $100. There is a stable demand for Bird Saliva Nest from the restaurants. However, the demands are at peak during the Chinese New Year period. Bird Saliva Nest is usually given as a gift during this period as it symbolizes good health and longevity wishes for the recipient.
In addition, it is a symbol of status in society. Bird Saliva Nest has been a core part of Chinese tradition and culture for hundreds of years now. The increase of wealth in the Asian region, along with a big increase in the price of bowl of Bird Saliva Nest has made Bird Saliva Nest “the Caviar of the East”
Bird Saliva Nest is highly expensive animal bioproduct. The trade of Bird Saliva Nest in the global market has been on the rise for decades. It is expected that the demands of the Bird Saliva Nest will continue to increase irrespective of their low production.