Edible bird’s nest is considered dietary supplement with functional food property being popular among Asia countries, especially Thailand and China, due to the biochemical ingredients contained within such as Epidermal growth factor (EGF) which helps activating the leucocytes in human’s lymph to produce and synthesize antibacterial and antiviral substances. The nest also contains N-acetyl neuraminic acid which nourishes human skin, relieves coughing and sore throat, and strengthens lungs and bronchi, and sialic acid which supports human’s memory and brain development. Edible bird’s nest is then considered one of important economic goods exported by Thailand to the overseas, especially China.

                   However, edible bird’s nest is quite expensive and rare that it is usually found containing adulterated substances such as albumen, Tremella mushroom, pork rind, agar, gelatin, Kamaya rubber from the Yellow Silk tree.

                   Researchers from Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization) and Dr. Kornkanya Pratumyot from Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi applied in this research the Synchrotron Infrared Radiation (SR) technique. The SR technique contains light with higher intensity and brightness than other light sources do, enabling researchers to analyze samples at 10-micrometer spatial resolution. With this technique, the researchers can distinguish natural edible bird’s nest from artificial one and detect adulterated substances contained within. In addition, SR is a non-sample destructive technique and supports detection of substance adulteration at micrometer level. The natural nest contains ingredients such as protein, lipid, and carbohydrate with distinguished infrared spectrum fingerprints compared to the artificial nest.

 

Article by:

Dr. Siriwan Nawong and Dr. Kanjana Thumanu

Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization)

Dr. Kornkanya Pratumyot

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi