The edible bird nest (EBN) from Aerodramus fuciphagus has been consumed as a Chinese traditional food for health and medicinal purposes due to its elevated nutritional value. The present study focused on the influence of characterization and extraction methods on protein profiling, which could be a guideline for grading the EBN. The proposed extraction method is similar to the common food preparation methods of consumers and thus can accurately establish the bioactive protein available upon human consumption. The characterization includes physicochemical analysis (physical, morphology, elemental composition, and microbial content) and chemical analysis (crude protein and amino acid). The morphology of half-cup EBN was found to be uniformly shaped and rich in calcium as compared to rough surface of stripe-shaped EBN, and there was no significant microbial growth in both types of EBN. The crude protein and amino acid content in half-cup EBN were significantly higher than stripe-shaped EBN. The full stew (FS) and stew (SE) extraction methods produced a maximal yield of soluble protein. Sialic acid content in SE extract (8.47%, w/w) and FS extract (7.91%, w/w) were recorded. About seven parent proteins (39.15 to 181.68 kDa) were identified by LC-MS/MS Q-TOF, namely 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein, lysyl oxidase-3, Mucin-5AC-like, acidic mammalian chitinase-like, 45 kDa calcium-binding protein, nucleobindin-2, and ovoinhibitor-like. In conclusion, the characteristics and extraction methods influence the availability of bioactive protein and peptides, demonstrating the potential usage of EBN in improving its biological activities and nutritional properties.

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.

Exposure to PCDD/PCDF (dioxin and furan) through consumption of fish and shellfish is closely related to the occurrence of skin diseases, such as chloracne and hyperpigmentation. This study aimed to determine the exposure of PCDD/PCDF and its congeners in fish and shellfish obtained from different regions of the Straits of Malacca among the fishing community. The risk of fish and shellfish consumption and exposure to PCDD/PCDF among fishermen living in coastal areas of the Straits were evaluated based on a cross-sectional study involving face to face interviews, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements, and administration of food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). Skin examination was done by a dermatologist after the interview session. Determination of 17 congeners of PCDD/PCDF in 48 composite samples of fish and shellfish was performed based on HRGC/HRMS analysis. The total PCDD/PCDF in the seafood samples ranged from 0.12 to 1.24 pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight (4.6-21.8 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat). No significant difference found for the concentrations of PCDD/PCDF between the same types of seafood samples obtained from the three different regions. The concentrations of the most potent congener, 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the seafood samples ranged from 0.01 to 0.11 pg WHO-TEQ/g FW (1.9 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat). A positive moderate correlation was found between the fat contents and concentrations of PCDD/PCDF determined in the seafood samples. The total PCDD/PCDF in all seafood samples were below the 1 pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight, with the exception of grey eel-catfish. The respondents had consumed fish and shellfish with the amounts ranging between 2.02 g and 44.06 g per person per day. The total PCDD/PCDF exposures through consumption of fish and shellfish among the respondents were between 0.01 and 0.16 pg WHO-TEQ/kg BW/day. With regard to the two PCDD/PCDF-related skin diseases, no chloracne case was found among the respondents, but 2.2 % of the respondents were diagnosed to have hyperpigmentation. Intake of a moderate amount of fish and shellfish from the area is safe and does not pose a risk for skin diseases. An over-consumption of seafood from the potentially polluted area of the Straits should be monitored in future.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of the majority of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) due to high-cholesterol deposition in the aorta, resulting in hardening and narrowing of blood vessels and subsequently leading to an obstructed blood flow. There are few previous publications showing the preventive effects of edible birds nest (EBN) on CVD, but the study on cholesterol homeostasis related to atherosclerosis is limited. In this study, we have determined the mechanisms by which EBN modulates cholesterol metabolism by identifying genes and biomarkers. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed either a high-fat high-cholesterol (HFC) diet or a HFC diet supplemented with EBN (500mg/kg b.w/day) for 12weeks. For comparison purposes, a group of rabbits receiving a HFC diet was supplemented with simvastatin (10mg/kg b.w/day) as a standard drug treatment for hypercholesterolemia. EBN supplementation significantly improved lipid and coagulation profiles, reduced hepatosteatosis, and stabilized atherosclerotic plaque formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Cholesterol accumulation in liver and aorta tissues, as well as hepatic HMGCR levels, was reduced in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits supplemented with EBN. Gene expression analysis showed that EBN induced many genes related to cholesterol uptake (LDLR, LOX-1, and CD36), cholesterol efflux (ABCA1, LCAT, and CYP7A1), and cholesterol-sensing signaling (LXRα and PPARγ). In conclusion, our studies suggest that EBN supplementation could be an effective food product for the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis by regulating cholesterol metabolism.

Fermentation plays a critical role in determining the sensory, nutritional, and functional qualities of traditional seafood condiments such as belacan. This study examined the influence of fermentation maturity on physicochemical properties, volatile composition, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation, antioxidant activity, and multivariate quality relationships in belacan. Samples representing unfermented, 6-day, and 12-day fermentation stages were analyzed using standard physicochemical methods and headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Progressive biochemical changes were observed with increasing fermentation time. Moisture content decreased significantly from 42.18±0.25% in unfermented samples to 30.6±0.52% after 12 days, while protein content increased from 21.44±0.48% to 32.73±0.36%. A slight decrease in pH (6.45±0.02 to 6.12±0.03) reflected active microbial metabolism. GABA concentration increased markedly with fermentation maturity, reaching its highest level in the 12-day fermented samples. This accumulation was accompanied by a significant enhancement antioxidant activity, with DPPH radical scavenging capacity increasing from 41.56±0.82% to 68.47±1.03%. A total of 34 volatile compounds were identified, including sulphur-containing compounds, aldehydes, ketones, and pyrazines. Matured belacan was characterized by dominant sulphurous, nutty, and phenolic aromas, while early-stage samples exhibited more fruity and fatty notes. Principal component analysis clearly discriminated samples by fermentation maturity, with 12-day fermented belacan strongly associated with higher protein content, GABA concentration, antioxidant activity, and sulphur- and pyrazine-derived volatiles. These findings demonstrate that fermentation maturity enhances belacan’s nutritional value, functional bioactivity, and flavour complexity, highlighting the importance of optimizing fermentation duration for improved product quality.