Edible bird’s nest, known for high nutrition and health benefit, contains high protein up to 50-60% and various mineral elements. Classified by their origins, there are 2 types of bird’s nests i.e. cave bird’s nest, and house bird’s nest. The edible cave bird’s nests are usually found in white, red, yellow, and golden yellow colors while the house nests are found only in white. The nest’s origins and their colors are factors mainly considered to define their qualities and prices.

              Dr. Kornkanya Pratumyot, a lecturer at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi made a study on nutritional and structural properties of 3 types of edible bird’s nests: white cave-nest, red cave-nest, and house nest from different origins in order to specify the nest identity. The research result showed that all the studied nests had protein as main component and contained essential mineral elements such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium, etc. 

                  The analysis of calcium, the main mineral element of bird’s nest, was done applying X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) technique at Beamline 5.2: SUT-Nanotec-SLRI XAS located at SLRI. From the analysis, types of calcium compounds and oxidative status of calcium could be identified. The XAS technique also detected different types of calcium compounds between those found in house and cave nests as well as origins of nests with different environment. Types of calcium compounds found in the nests normally indicate different effectiveness and capability of small intestine and cells in absorbing calcium. The research results will be used later on to assess nutritional value of edible bird’s nest in terms of calcium absorption effectiveness in human’s body.