Enzymatic recovery of glycopeptides from different industrial grades edible bird’s nest and its by-products:nutrient,probiotic and antioxidant activities,and physicochemical characteristics

This study was conducted to recover edible bird’s nest(EBN)hydrolysates from different grades of EBN,including the industrial by-products,using enzymatic treatment.The nutrient,physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of the recovered hydrolysates at different hydrolysis times were evaluated.Results showed that the recovery yield of enzymatic hydrolysis was above 89%for all grades of EBN and the degree of hydrolysis increased over time.Nitrite content(0.321-0.433 mg/L)was below the permissible tolerance level for all samples.Interestingly,the antioxidant activities(DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant powder(FRAP)activity)were significantly higher(P≤0.05)in hydrolysates recovered from EBN by-products(EBNhC and EBNhD)as compared to the high grade EBN hydrolysates(EBNhA and EBNhB).The in-vitro probiotic activity of EBN and its hydrolysates were examined using the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum.Evidently,EBN by-products hydrolysate(EBNhD)recorded the highest number of L.plantarum(1.1×1011 CFU/mL),indicating that low grade EBN has the potential as prebiotic material that promotes probiotic activity.This study demonstrated the concept of using EBN by-products hydrolysates for various applications,such as functional ingredients with enhanced bioactivities,to improve its economic value.

Insights on the molecular mechanism of neuroprotection exerted by edible bird’s nest and its bioactive constituents

Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with the accumulation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.Edible bird’s nest(EBN)is a glycoprotein(sialylated mucin glycopeptides)found to be beneficial against neurodegenerative diseases.Antioxidative,anti-inflammatory,and anti-apoptotic properties of EBN in preserving neuronal cells were widely researched using in vitro and in vivo models.Functional effects of EBN are often linked to its great number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory glycopeptides.Bioactive compounds in EBN,especially sialic acid,add value to neurotrophic potential of EBN and contribute to neuronal repair and protection.Various studies reporting the neuroprotective effects of EBN,their molecular mechanisms,and neuroactive composition were gathered in this review to provide better insights on the neuroprotective effects of EBN.

A comprehensive review of edible bird nests and swiftlet farming

Edible bird＇s nest （EBN） is currently widely consumed by the Chinese community as tonic food and functional food, which is believed to have many medicinal benefits. Some studies have reported the biochemical compositions of EBN, graded on the basis of colour, nitrate and nitrite contents. Other studies have shown significant biological effects, while ongoing research is in progress to explore potential pharmacological applications. The high demand for EBNs in the global market has forced the local regulatory bodies to monitor swiftlet farming activities, including the EBN cleaning process. Furthermore, numerous techniques have been developed to authenticate EBN; proteomics is likely to be the most promising of these methods. However, there are limited numbers of relevant protein sequences deposited at the database. More research is needed at the molecular level to explore the mechanisms behind the biological functions, such as bone strength improvement, skin rejuvenation, epidermal growth factor activity and cell proliferation.The current and future prospects of EBN and swiftlet farming are critically reviewed in this article.

Edible Bird's Nest:Food or Medicine?

Edible bird＇s nest （EBN） is derived from the saliva of certain types of swiflets. It is consumed in many parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal values. Although many claims have been made on the therapeutic and health- promoting effects of EBN, scientific documentations regarding these effects are very limited in published literature. It is not until recently that the biological effects of EBN are being investigated and evidence-based studies are being conducted. Several studies have found that EBN may enhance cell proliferation and differentiation and various beneficial effects have been reported in vitro as well as in vivo. While these studies point towards the potential use of EBN in the treatment or even prevention of several diseases, the mechanisms of action of EBN remain largely unknown and more explorations are needed. This review is one of the very few scientific reviews onEBN which focuses on recent evidence-based discoveries.

基于YOLOv5s的轻量化架空输电线路鸟巢检测网络

架空输电线路上的鸟巢侵占会对铁塔上的电力设备造成安全隐患,间接可能影响整个电力系统的稳定运行。针对目前架空输电线路鸟巢检测模型在复杂场景以及小目标场景下检测精度不高,检测效率低,模型复杂等问题。本研究提出一种基于YOLOv5s框架的轻量化架空输电线路鸟巢检测网络。首先在主干部分采用Fasternet重构YOLOv5s特征提取网络,降低模型复杂度,提高运行速度;然后在特征融合网络部分嵌入ConvMixer层,ConvMixer层的结构设计有助于在特征信息中更好的捕捉空间和通道的关系,提升模型对于小目标的检测能力;最后在特征融合网络部分引入ODConv模块,令送入检测头的特征图包含更多有效特征,提高模型对复杂场景和小目标的检测性能。实验结果表明,本文与基线模型YOLOv5s相比,计算量和模型体积分别减少了86%和72%,平均精度均值达到96.4%,检测速度达到104.2帧/s,验证了本文改进模型的有效性和可行性。

Preliminary nitrite, nitrate and colour analysis of Malaysian edible bird’s nest

The high nitrite content in edible bird’s nests is a major concern to the local swiftlet industry.It lowers the price of the edible bird’s nests and it brings severe health hazards to consumers and farmers.This research investigated the nitrite and nitrate contents of eight types of local edible bird’s nests by using ion chromatography system and evaluating its colour using the CIE system in L^*a^*b^*parameters.The nitrite content obtained ranged from 5.7 lg/g for the house nests to 843.8 lg/g for the cave nests.The nitrate content for the house and cave nests was 98.2 lg/g and 36,999.4 lg/g,respectively.The cave nests with darker and redder colour had higher nitrite and nitrate contents than the brighter and more yellow house nests.This likely suggests that the nitrite and nitrate contents have correlations with edible bird’s nests colour.Correlations studies suggested that the nitrite content had high correlations with colour parameters,L^*a^*b^*of edible bird’s nests at significant level of P<0.10.These findings suggest that edible bird’s nests’colour may be a useful indicator for measuring nitrite and nitrate contaminations.

Characterization of edible bird’s nest by peptide fingerprinting with principal component analysis

OBJECTIVES:Proteins are the major component and play a key role in nutritious and therapeutic functions of edible bird’s nest(EBN);however,limited studies have been conducted on the protein due to difficulties in extraction,isolation as well as identification.This study aimed to provide comprehensive information for the quality evaluation of EBN peptides,which would be a valuable reference for further study on EBN proteins.METHODS:Here,we developed a quality control method using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)peptide fingerprints deriving from EBN being digested with simulated gastric fluid.The characteristic peptide peaks were collected and identified by LC-MS/MS.RESULTS:The characteristic peptide peaks,corresponding to the protein fragments of acidic mammalian chitinase-like,lysyl oxidase,and Mucin-5AC-like,were identified and quantified.Interestingly,the principal component analysis indicated that the fingerprints were able to discriminate colour of EBN(white/red)and production sites(cave/house)of White EBN on the same weight basis.As proposed by the model developed in this study,Muc-5AC-like and AMCaselike proteins were the markers with the highest discriminative power.CONCLUSIONS:The overall findings suggest that HPLC peptide fingerprints were able to clearly demonstrate peptide profile differences between genuine and adulterated EBN samples;and classify EBN samples by its color and production site.In addition,the protein identification results suggested that Muc-5AC-like protein was the major protein in EBN.

Effects of Sialic Acid from Edible Bird Nest on Cell Viability Associated with Brain Cognitive Performance in Mice

Background:Edible bird nest(EBN)is a natural food product rich in glycoprotein such as sialic acid,which has been reported to improve brain functions.The EBN is widely consumed due to its higher nutritional contents and antioxidant status;however,an interaction of EBN on brain cell metabolic activity and viability are still unclear.Objective:The objectives of this study were to identify the effect of sialic acid from EBN on the cell viability and to determine the appropriate concentration of sialic acid on cognitive performance in mice.Materials and Methods:The viability of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma cell lines were tested using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.For in vivo study,7-week-old female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into four treatment groups and were treated with sialic acid for 21 days.At day 22,all mice were tested on cognitive performance by Y-maze test.Results:Treatment concentration of sialic acid extract and sialic acid standard at 60μg/mL(0.6 ppm)increased cell viability and showed no cytotoxicity effects in pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma cell lines.In addition,an administration of higher dose of sialic acid at 0.6 ppm in animals improved Y-maze test performance,which they showed significantly higher number of entries and time spent in the novel arm.Conclusion:Thus,the current study shows that the sialic acid extract at 0.6 ppm improved brain cognitive performance in mice associated with an increased viability of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma cell lines.

Combined enzymatic hydrolysis and herbal extracts fortification to boost in vitro antioxidant activity of edible bird's nest solution

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)m Pa·s to(7.84±0.31)m Pa·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;of FRAP.Conclusion:This study proved that combined enzymatic hydrolysis and MLE fortification is the best strategy to produce EBN product with prominent in vitro antioxidant potential.This preliminary study provides new insight into the compatibility of EBN with different herbal extracts for future health food production.

A sustainable way of agricultural livelihood:edible bird’s nests in Indonesia

Edible birds’nests(EBNs)have traditionally been produced in Southeast Asia.Indonesian farmers construct buildings for swiftlets and harvest their nests.EBN farming does not directly degrade forest resources and is therefore considered a sustainable means of production,whereas the expansion of other agricultural activities often relies on the degradation of natural resources.This study examines the relationship between natural resources and agricultural livelihoods,focusing on Indonesian EBN farmers.Using survey data that we collected in 2017,combined with satellite information on the extent of the forest in Central Kalimantan,Indonesia,we measured production efficiency and identified the natural and social factors that enhance production performance.The results show that a forest extent ranging between 2,000 and 6,000 meters from nesting building is positively associated with the production efficiency of EBN farming,perhaps because extensive forest could help swiftlets to collect food and build nests.Conversely,while EBN farming is a sustainable and profitable option,the initial costs of constructing buildings to house swiftlets may deter farmers from participating in the process.

Proteins:Neglected active ingredients in edible bird’s nest

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,calciumbinding protein(MW:4.5×10~4)and glucose-regulated protein(MW:7.8×10~4).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.

Small objects detection in UAV aerial images based on improved Faster R-CNN

In order to solve the problem of small objects detection in unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)aerial images with complex background,a general detection method for multi-scale small objects based on Faster region-based convolutional neural network(Faster R-CNN)is proposed.The bird’s nest on the high-voltage tower is taken as the research object.Firstly,we use the improved convolutional neural network ResNet101 to extract object features,and then use multi-scale sliding windows to obtain the object region proposals on the convolution feature maps with different resolutions.Finally,a deconvolution operation is added to further enhance the selected feature map with higher resolution,and then it taken as a feature mapping layer of the region proposals passing to the object detection sub-network.The detection results of the bird’s nest in UAV aerial images show that the proposed method can precisely detect small objects in aerial images.

Cyathus tenuicorticalis(Agaricales,Basidiomycota),a new species from La Selva Biological Station,Costa Rica

Cyathus tenuicorticalis was found growing on decaying wood from La Selva Biological Station,Costa Rica.Specimens were analyzed using the methodology proposed for the group and specific literature for the genus.The fundamental diagnostic features for this new species are the very thin double-layered cortex in peridioles,exoperidium strongly hirsute,and a platinum bright endoperidium.Description,discussion and photographs of this new species are provided.

基于DSP的无线伺服清除鸟巢装置

针对变电站电气设备鸟巢清除需停电登高作业的问题,设计出一种基于DSP的无线伺服装置,可在电气设备带电情况下实施鸟巢清除作业。该装置可带电作业,避免了停电造成的负荷损失和非计划停运。

燕窝及其提取物对皮肤状态的定性循证研究

目的:系统评价食用燕窝及其提取物对皮肤状态的影响。方法:在中国知网、万方、中国生物医学文献服务系统、PubMed和Embase数据库中检索自2012年1月—2022年9月国内外发表的相关文献,并根据纳入排除标准对文献进行筛选,参照世界卫生组织(WHO)推荐的证据评价方法和标准、SYRCLE动物实验风险评估工具对人群研究、动物实验进行综合评价,并根据体外实验探讨可能作用机制。结果:共纳入10项研究,其中3篇为随机对照试验、3篇为动物实验、4篇为体外实验。综合分析结果显示,食用燕窝有助于提高皮肤含水量,减轻皮肤光老化和炎症水平,其提取物有助于促进角质形成细胞的增殖以及皮肤美白等。结论:目前研究结果提示,食用燕窝及其提取物有助于改善皮肤在紫外线暴露下的损伤,还能抑制黑色素的产生,促进皮肤美白,有助于促进表皮角质形成细胞的增殖,减少皮肤损伤。因此,适当摄入燕窝有助于皮肤状态的改善。但目前人群研究较少,还有待进一步的研究验证。

不同类型燕窝营养检测现状及营养成分分析

目的:旨在总结不同类型燕窝中营养成分的检测现状,并分析其营养成分组成和差异,便于进一步开展燕窝营养相关科学研究。方法:在PubMed、Embase、Web ofScience、中国知网、万方数据库、维普检索自建库至2022年8月国内外公开发表的相关研究文献。纳入测定燕窝中营养成分组成与含量的定性与定量研究,包括一手研究数据、综述、系统综述等非一手研究数据,语言限定为中英文;排除与主题无关、重复、数据不完整、无法获得全文的文章。结果:共检索出文献1 237篇,本文共纳入8篇文献作为本次综述的主要证据。研究显示,燕窝中蛋白质含量范围为56.34%~69.5%,脂肪含量范围为0.03%~1.28%,碳水化合物含量范围为17.12%~31.68%,水分含量范围为12%~24.3%,唾液酸含量范围为7.64%~12.52%,不同类型燕窝中营养成分的种类及含量可能存在差异。结论:燕窝中蛋白质含量高,氨基酸种类丰富且必需氨基酸比例较大,脂肪含量极低,富含矿物质且含有多种必需微量元素,维生素与唾液酸含量均较高。不同类型燕窝中营养成分的种类及含量存在一定差异,不同类型燕窝中碳水化合物含量差异较大。

燕窝神经保护作用研究进展

燕窝是一种药食两用的天然滋补品,具有免疫调节、抗炎、促进子代智力发育、神经保护、调节肠道菌群等活性,但其发挥神经保护作用的活性成分和机制尚不清晰。该文综述了燕窝的基本组成与活性成分、燕窝神经保护作用及机制,发现燕窝中的活性成分如唾液酸、蛋白质、聚糖可通过神经营养、氧化应激和炎症反应调控等途径发挥神经保护作用。结合燕窝消化吸收特性,指出了肠-脑轴是燕窝发挥神经保护作用的可能途径。最后对燕窝的未来研究方向进行了展望,旨在为燕窝的进一步研究和高值化利用提供参考。

不同杀菌温度炖煮燕窝对小鼠体成分的调节作用

为研究不同杀菌温度对燕窝功能特性的影响,以不同杀菌温度炖煮燕窝为研究对象,将40只7周龄C57BL/6N雄性小鼠随机分为空白对照组、干燕窝组、95℃杀菌炖煮燕窝组、115℃杀菌炖煮燕窝组,口服给予小鼠炖煮燕窝匀浆90 d,通过测定小鼠的体成分、能量代谢及肠道菌群,探究炖煮燕窝对小鼠生长特性的影响。结果表明,95℃杀菌炖煮燕窝可以显著提升小鼠的瘦肉率,降低小鼠的脂肪含量;对小鼠基础代谢无显著影响,在属水平上,可以显著提高小鼠肠道菌群中毛螺菌和乳酸菌的相对丰度,降低脱硫弧菌的相对丰度;且小鼠体成分与肠道菌群具有显著相关性,小鼠瘦肉率含量与灌服95℃杀菌炖煮燕窝的小鼠肠道菌群相对丰度呈正相关,小鼠脂肪含量与灌服95℃杀菌炖煮燕窝的小鼠肠道菌群相对丰度呈负相关,95℃杀菌炖煮燕窝可以通过调节小鼠肠道菌群改变小鼠体成分含量。综上,95℃杀菌炖煮燕窝可改变小鼠体成分含量,提高肠道菌群的丰富度和多样性,有效改善小鼠肠道菌群结构,通过相关性分析发现肠道菌群的改善是调控体成分的潜在机制。

燕窝及唾液酸对免疫功能影响的定性循证研究

目的:系统评价燕窝及唾液酸对免疫功能的影响及作用。方法:在中国知网、万方数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、PubMed、Embase数据库中检索自2012年1月—2023年6月国内外发表的相关研究文献,并根据纳入排除标准对文献进行筛选,并参照SYRCLE动物实验风险评估工具,对相关文献进行综合评价。结果:共纳入11项研究,其中7篇为动物实验、4篇为体外实验。无论燕窝及唾液酸的来源、给药途径、干预时间和干预剂量是否一致,本系统综述的结果均表明,燕窝及唾液酸可以提高健康动物的免疫功能,并具有抗病毒作用,且呈现出剂量依赖效应。结论:燕窝及唾液酸对动物具有提高免疫及抗病毒的作用。