Why the importance of geo-origin tracing of edible bird nests is arising?. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Sheikha, Aly Farag
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 150:Part B(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Edible bird's nest -- Multidimensional value -- Geo-traceability -- Automation methods -- Physical approaches -- Analytical techniques -- Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110806
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: EBN global demand is increasing due to its high nutritional, medicinal and economic value. Nutrients and therapeutics content of EBNs vary depending on their geo-origins. Current techniques used for geo-tracking EBNs fail to discriminate their quality grades. A new, accurate and universal geo-traceability technique of EBNs is critically needed. PCR-DGGE could be a potent tool to differentiate geo-origins and quality grades of EBNs. Abstract: Edible bird's nest (EBN) swiftlet existed naturally 48, 000 years ago in caves as their natural dwellings. Nowadays, edible bird's nest has become a very important industry due to its high nutritional, medicinal and economic value. Additionally, edible bird's nest has a long quality guarantee period. Obviously, the nutritional components and medicinal functions vary depending on geographical origins. Recently, the global demand for edible bird's nest has markedly increased, accompanied by the increasing attention of all key players of the global food trade system, i.e., producers, consumers, traders and the authorities to obtain safe and high-quality edible bird's nest. Hence, this target can be accomplished via the enforcement of an efficient and universal geo-tracing technique. Current methods of the geo-tracking of edible bird's nest, i.e., automation, physical and analytical techniques have several limitations and all of them fail to discriminate different quality grades of edible bird's nest. Meanwhile, in many studies and applications, polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) has proven to be a "cutting edge" technique for greatly enhance food traceability from field to fork through its ability in distinguishing the food products in terms of their quality and safety. This article provides an overview of (1) edible bird's nest as a multiuse strategic food product, (2) quality issues associated with edible bird's nest including implications that the site of acquisition of the edible bird's nest has food safety implications, (3) current regulations and geo-tracking approaches to ensure the safety and quality of edible bird's nest with the special focus on polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique as a vigorous and universal geo-tracing tool to be suggested for edible bird's nest geo-traceability.