Proteins: Neglected active ingredients in edible bird's nest / 中草药·英文版

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a kind of natural invigorant with a long history of consumption in Asia, especially in China. EBN is formed by mixing the saliva of swiftlets (Aerodramus) with feathers and other components during the breeding season. Proteins are the most important nutrient in EBN. By studying proteins in EBN, we can not only elucidate their components at the molecular level, but also study their bioactivities. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the proteins in EBN. Previous research on the proteins in EBN was preliminary and cursory, and no one has summarized and analyzed the proteins in EBN and correlated the bioactivities of these proteins with the biological functions of EBN. This article focused on the proteins in EBN, listed the proteins identified in different proteomic studies, and introduced the sources, structures and bioactivities of the most frequently identified proteins, including acidic mammalian chitinase, lysyl oxidase homolog 3, mucin-5AC, ovoinhibitor, nucleobindin-2, calcium-binding protein (MW: 4.5 × 104) and glucose-regulated protein (MW: 7.8 × 104). The properties of these proteins are closely related to the bioactivities of EBN. Therefore, this article can provide inspiration for further research on the efficacy of EBN.

Combined enzymatic hydrolysis and herbal extracts fortification to boost in vitro antioxidant activity of edible bird's nest solution / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a popular traditional tonic food in Chinese population for centuries. Malaysia is one of the main EBN suppliers in the world. This study aims to explore the best strategy to boost the antioxidant potential of EBN solution. Methods: In this study, the raw EBN (4%, mass to volume ratio) was initially enzymatic hydrolyzed using papain enzyme to produce EBN hydrolysate (EBNH), then spray-dried into powdered form. Next, 4% (mass to volume ratio) of EBNH powder was dissolved in ginger extract (GE), mulberry leaf extract (MLE) and cinnamon twig extract (CTE) to detect the changes of antioxidant activities, respectively. Results: Results obtained suggest that enzymatic hydrolysis significantly reduced the viscosity of 4% EBN solution from (68.12 ± 0.69) mPa·s to (7.84 ± 0.31) mPa·s. Besides, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total soluble protein, DPPH scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were substantially increased following EBN hydrolysis using papain enzyme. In addition, fortification with GE, MLE and CTE had further improved the TPC, TFC, DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP of the EBNH solution. Among the samples, MLE-EBNH solution showed the most superior antioxidant potential at (86.39 ± 1.66)% of DPPH scavenging activity and (19.79 ± 2.96) mmol/L FeSO

Edible Bird's Nest Attenuates Menopause-Related Bone Degeneration in Rats via Increaing Bone Estrogen-Receptor Expression / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanistic basis for the attenuation of bone degeneration by edible bird's nest (EBN) in ovariectomized rats.@*METHODS@#Forty-two female Sprage-Dawley rats were randomized into 7 groups (6 in each group). The ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX + 6%, 3%, and 1.5% EBN and OVX +estrogen groups were given standard rat chow alone, standard rat chow +6%, 3%, and 1.5% EBN, or standard rat chow +estrogen therapy (0.2mg/kg per day), respectively. The sham-operation group was surgically opened without removing the ovaries. The control group did not have any surgical intervention. After 12 weeks of intervention, blood samples were taken for serum estrogen, osteocalcin, and osteoprotegerin, as well as the measurement of magnesium, calcium abd zinc concentrations. While femurs were removed from the surrounding muscles to measure bone mass density using the X-ray edge detection technique, then collected for histology and estrogen receptor (ER) immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#Ovariectomy altered serum estrogen levels resulting in increased food intake and weight gain, while estrogen and EBN supplementation attenuated these changes. Ovariectomy also reduced bone ER expression and density, and the production of osteopcalcin and osteorotegerin, which are important pro-osteoplastic hormones that promote bone mineraliztion and density. Conversely, estrogen and EBN increased serum estrogen levels leading to increased bone ER expression, pro-osteoplastic hormone production and bone density (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EBN could be used as a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapys for managing menopausal complications like bone degeneration.

Nutritional Content of Vietnamese Edible Bird’s Nest from Selected Regions

Aims: Edible bird’s nest is well known as health food and Chinese’s traditional medicine. Edible bird’s nest is made from saliva secretions of the swiftlets, genus Aerodramus, whose habitats are Southeast Asian countries. This study reports on the nutritional content of edible bird’s nest of two different sources - house-farmed bird’s nest (Long An and Kien Giang Province) and cave bird’s nest (Khanh Hoa Province) in Vietnam. Methodology: Samples were collected from three different selected regions of Vietnam. Determination of protein, lipid and carbohydrate content was performed by AOAC Official Method 2001.12 (2005), AOAC Official Method 986.25 (2012) and FAO (1986), respectively. Meanwhile, Analysis of amino acid was conducted using Shimadzu gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID 2010) (EZ: faastTM USER’S MANUAL). Results: Analytical results showed that the most abundant component found in these edible bird’s nests was protein (49.43 - 51.17%), followed by carbohydrate (36.93 - 38.53%), and lipid (0.01 - 0.04%). Fifteen amino acids including seven essential amino acids were found in the house-farmed bird’s nest while seventeen amino acids including eight essential were identified in cave bird’s nest. Proline (3.68 - 4.69%), aspartic acid (3.58 - 4.52%), and serine (3.74 - 4.09%) were the major amino acids found in both house-farmed and cave bird’s nests while lysine was found to be the lowest concentration (0.74 - 0.87%). Methionine and 4-hydroxyproline were presented only in the cave bird’s nest. Conclusion: These findings indicate that there has been no significant difference in the content of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid (p > .05); however, the quality and quantity of some amino acids could be considered to be one of the key factors making the difference (p < .05) between house-farmed and cave edible bird’s nest.

Genetic Identification of 32 Different Origins and Categories of Commodity Edible Bird’s Nest / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to quickly and accurately identify different origins and categories of commodity edible bird’s nest (EBN) using DNA barcoding technique, in order to reveal its genetic differences. The total genomic DNA was isolated from the EBN samples. And Cytb gene sequences were amplified and sequenced by PCR. Then, 32 sequences were aligned and analyzed with DNAStar and MEGA 6.0 software. NJ phylogenetic tree was constructed. The nearest distance was calculated. The results showed that the original species of 32 samples of EBN were identified.Aerodramus fuciphagus was the genetic origin of 23 white nest samples. AndAerodramus fuciphagus germaniwas the genetic origin of the other 8 samples. The origin of black nest sample wasAerodramus maximusorAerodramus maximus lowi. It was concluded that the genetic origin of different EBN categories was variant. The identification of EBN’s origin species with Cytb sequence was quick and accurate.

Preliminary Study of the Nutritional Content of Malaysian Edible Bird’s Nest

Malaysian edible bird’s nests (EBN) are from the swiflet species, Aerodromus fuciphagus. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the nutrient composition of EBN obtained from different parts of Peninsular Malaysia, collected at three different harvesting seasons, to four commercial brands. A total of 18 raw, unprocessed EBN samples from the North, South and East Coast zones of Peninsular Malaysia and duplicate samples of 4 commercial brands (processed) of EBN samples were analysed. The protein and mineral contents of unprocessed EBN samples between zones and harvesting seasons were comparable. Mean (± SEM) protein content of unprocessed EBN was 61.5 ± 0.6 g/ 100g and the top four minerals detected were calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium with mean (± SEM) concentration of 553.1 ± 19.5 mg/100g, 187.9 ± 10.4 mg/100g, 92.9 ± 2.0 mg/100g and 6.3 ± 0.4 mg/100g respectively. Sialic acid content ranged between 0.7 to 1.5%, and remained comparable between samples from different zones and harvesting seasons. The commercial brands were found to contain higher amounts of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus compared to unprocessed EBN, warranting further investigation and verification with more samples. Since the nutrient contents of EBN may be affected by seasonal variations and even breeding sites, it is recommended that a more comprehensive study be conducted involving more samples and breeding sites as such data are important to ensure sustainability of the EBN industry in this country.

Clinical effects of bird's nest nursing on premature infants / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To study the effect of bird's nest nursing on the vital signs,gastroenteric function,body weight and growth of premature infants.Methods 456 cases of premature infants were divided into the warm box group and the bird's nest group randomly according to odd and even number of birth,namely 228 cases in each group.The warm box group adopted routine nursing care.The bird's nest group adopted routine nursing care and bird's nest nursing in the mean time,namely the bird's nest wag put into the warm box,the premature infants slept in the pre-heated bird's nest.The condition of the two groups Was compared.Results On the first day of birth,there were no statistical difference(P＞0.05)between the two groups in respiration,heart rate,milk amount and body weight.On the seventh and fourteenth day,respiration and heart rate were stable and milk amount and body weight increased rapidly in bird's nest group.There Was statistical difference(P＜0.05)between the two groups.In bird's nest group,the premature had long sleeping time and body temperature-fluctuation was reduced.There was statistical differencere(P＜0.01)between the two groups.Conclusions After the bird's nest was used in premature care,diseases were recovered rapidly,hospitalization days were shortened and it was beneficial to the development of intelligence and body and mind of the premature infants.